I have been expanding my study of tessellations to include Islamic Geometric Designs. Extremely complex and rigid structures hide behind these creations. Maybe a bit too rigid for me! In this sketch, I was learning to map out a classic tile pattern from the Alhambra, built by the Moors in Granada, Spain, about 1200 years ago. The red line in the design outlines this tile pattern, built around a six-fold symmetry system. Amazing. My sketch is not a true tessellation in my definition, as there are “blank” spaces between the elements. Still nice to look at.

Alhambra Urchin tessellation by Francine Champagne, ©2015

And the zoomed-out equivalent, showing the 3 point swirls around a 6 fold symmetry.

Alhambra Urchin tessellation by Francine Champagne, ©2015

Most drawings are available for print at society6.com. Below, an iPad mini protective case.

Alhambra Urchin tessellation by Francine Champagne, ©2015