Group Pmm is also known as P2mm in Peter S. Stevens’ Handbook of Regular Patterns. A four-sided mirrored box. Figures with bilateral symmetry work best in this type of group.
One for each mirror is a possibility. A line drawn from each mirror corner to its twin will delineate the four figures into a tessellation.
The image below shows a Pmm symmetry group tessellation, fully zoomed-out. The rectangular structure is quite apparent. Of course, the trick is to turn all of this into a recognizable object!
Group-pmm – Rockie and the Three Dudes (zoomed-out) – © 2013 Champagne Design
This is the same tessellation, zoomed-in. It shows the unit cell, the rectangle, with its four mirrors.
Symmetry Group Pmm – Rockie and the Three Dudes – © 2013 Champagne Design
Mosquito / Moth / Beaver / Boy is another example of this Pmm symmetry group.
Symmetry Group Pmm – Mosquito-Moth-Beaver-Boy – © Champagne Design 2013
Have fun with the KaleidoPaint iPad app. I will attempt to illustrate all 17 ways you can divide a two dimensional surface with this cool app, from the billions of possible drawings.
If you don’t have an iPad, you can try the Java-based program “Escher Web Sketch” at the Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne. It works just as well to create your shapes.
Or this screen-based software by Anselm Levskaya Escher Sketch v2.
Comments are always welcome!
If you’re a “Learn by Seeing” “Learn by Doing” kind of person, I’ve started creating videos on “how-to” create tessellations. I’ll be covering each of the 17 symmetry groups, one class at a time. And like all artists, we need to make a living. So. I’ve uploaded these to the Skillshare platform. I’ll get paid by minutes watched.
You can take the classes for free. Skillshare offers anywhere from 2 weeks to a month for free if you sign up, even temporarily.
You can register for just a month and cancel anytime. It’s less than the cost of a Netflix subscription!
There are over 40,000 classes on topics for creative persons just like you. Join my mailing list, either here on my blog (in the sidebar), or a at this link for a specific list I use to announce new classes.
I’d love for you to join me on this wonderful learning adventure.
If you prefer, you can follow my progress on social media, I always announce my new class:
Facebook: Franc Champagne, and Vancouver Island Tessellation Artist
Instagram: champagne.francine
Twitter: FChampagne1
Linkedin: Graphic Design, PowerPoint and tessellations
Youtube: Video animations and class intros
Tessellations by Francine Champagne 