I had a quick look through all of my #tessellations from the past years and came up with a list of 30 “Family-Friendly” topics. Most of these are from the animal kingdom. Safe topics for the kids. And many kids encounter the art of tessellations either through their art class or their math class in grade school. They relate to the art style quite well. Continue reading
A new App called “iO Crafter” on the iPad has just come out, from Jürgen Richter-Gebert. Using it to deform into spirals is where my interest lies. As well, it has other functions to deform your images: build a platonic solid; build a kaleidocycle; view a kaleidoscope; hyperbolic kaleidoscope; and conformal maps. Continue reading
Updated 2021-12-09:
Since M.C. Escher started popularizing “nested shape” tessellations, many artist have dabbled in the field. Some show a passing interest, yet still create with a very deep understanding of the rules of symmetry. Others can’t get enough and create constantly in this medium. Still other artists push the boundaries and explore off-spurs, into fractals, circle limits, non-repeating planes, animation, metamorphosis, pentagonal rules, morphing shapes, platonic solid tessellations, architecture, art shows, consumer products… Continue reading
The FC Schalke 04 boys finally made me proud. They didn’t show any intimidation at playing the Bayern team. I am celebrating their performance with a tessellation of Schalke players. The ever polite Benedikt Höwedes, the powerhouse Sead Kolasinac, Gerald Asamoah a past icon of the club, and the referee, disciplining the ever-diving Robben, that’s the one dramatically grabbing himself in fake pain. Keep it up Boys, don’t stop! Continue reading
My first ever tessellation, redrawn from scratch, to show the series of steps required to achieve a successfully nested shape.
The original image was a pencil sketch from years ago. Before Windows 3.1 and way before the iPad. And I could not afford an Amiga computer, even less the first Mac. So cardboard, pencils, scissors and lots of graph paper it was. Continue reading
This symmetry group was the first one with which I completed a successful tessellation, the Frogs. Way back in 1988, in the dark ages. Symmetry group P4g. Head to head, elbow to elbow, feet to feet is how I decipher these nested shapes. A very simple technique, Continue reading
Along with symmetry group Pmm, this P4m group is my least explored. Only 5 attempts at creating tessellations. Again, I just don’t like the mirrors. I will have to test myself a bit more, one of these days. Continue reading
The other side of me is the carver, 3D instead of digital artwork. I came across a carving by Chouki Derrouiche, a tessellation of Whirling Dervishes carved with different woods. Spectacular. I undertook to figure out which symmetry system Chouki used to create his nested shapes. I was baffled as to which symmetry system was being used Continue reading
This is a lesson in wearing eye protection. Taking care of your body, your outer shell for the time you spend on this planet. I have not yet learned this lesson. But I am listening. If you’re an artist or carver and your whole life depends on your vision, please read this. Continue reading
A mesmerizing video by the Zaragoza University’s Math Institute that I must share with you. It deals with the underlying geometry behind many universal designs. Continue reading
Quite similar to one tessellation I did a few weeks ago. The Three Dogs tessellation. But this one is based on a six way rotation, group P6 rather than P3. If you have a look at both, the tails swirl around into a spiral, the Dash Hounds using 6 instances of tails, the originals using three tails. Continue reading
Quite similar to one tessellation I did a few weeks ago. The Three Dogs tessellation. But this one is based on a six way rotation, group P6 rather than P3. If you have a look at both, the tails swirl around into a spiral, the Dash Hounds using 6 instances of tails, the originals using three tails. Continue reading
Having a heck of a time deciding on what to call this tessellation. Redhead. Pearl J. Bailey. Crimson Cutie. Reclining Doudette. Reeboks. MJDSV. The little black dress. Continue reading
A new iPad app for me, iOrnament, is not quite as versatile for me to create tessellations, or as they seem to call them, nested forms. It feels like an earlier version of KaleidoPaint, Continue reading
Found another iPad App to do tessellations. Sames rules of symmetry, but with different tools. iOrnament. I’ve only played with it for a week now, but here are a few differences and advantages listed. Continue reading
Tessellations by Francine Champagne 