Creating Tessellations
Would you like to know more about tessellations, and how to make them? Just click on the questions below to learn more. Everyone can make great looking tessellations with out drawing experience. Mathematicians are also welcome to join in the fun. Yet no experience in math is needed either. If you have a desire to make a really cool picture, just follow the directions under question number four, five, or six, and you will be on your way to creating a really cool looking tessellation.
-
-
-
-
-
-
A tessellation is a sub-division of space with a repeating pattern of distinct shapes. Figures or shapes cover the paper completely without overlapping. This repetitive pattern of symmetry needs to cover the paper with no gaps and no overlaps.
Below are so examples of tessellations created by MC Escher.
Listed below are some web sites with more examples of MC Escher's tessellations, his biography and more.
http://www.mcescher.com/
http://library.thinkquest.org/16661/index2.html
"Paint" is a software that is included on most computers. Click on programs to see if the "Paint" software is available for you to use. If it is not available you can purchase a copy on-line. Another option is to create your tessellations with paper and scissors as described in number six.
1. Open the Paint program.
2. On the left hand side you will notice tools. Toward the bottom click on the rectangle shape, and then click the image screen.
3. Click and drag the cursor diagonally across the page, and you will notice a rectangular box will appear.
4. Click the color menu at the bottom of the page for your desired color.
5. Click the picture of the spilling paint can. When you hold the cursor over the paint can it will show the words "fill with color"
6. Click any where in your rectangle, and it will become one solid color.
7. Click on the top left tool (it will look like a star with dashed lines) called "Free Form Select"
8. Click and drag the cursor from one corner of the rectangle to an adjacent corner.
9. Click inside the section you just cut and drag the shape to the opposite side of the rectangle.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the two remaining straight sides.
11. Play the "cloud game" - what does it look like? The shape must remain as is, but the color can be changed and details may be added within the shape.
12. Once the image is refined, right click on image, copy, and then paste. You may then change the color of you image.
13. Paste your images together so so that they fit together like a puzzle, without any space in between shapes. Make sure to click on the picture showing the image background to be transparent. (Note arrow on screen).
Back to Top
1. Take any size piece of paper, and a pair of scissors.
2. Cut a shape out of one side of the paper and tape it to the opposite side.
3. Follow this same step for the other sides.
4. Play the "cloud game" - what does it look like? The shape must remain as is, but the color can be changed and details may be added within the shape.
5. Trace your pattern so that your images fit together like a puzzle, without any space in between shapes.
1. Take a piece of paper and draw a box .
2. Draw a simple shape that you would like to make into a tessellation on top of the box.
3. When drawing the image if one side sticks out the opposite side should be cut into the box using the same shape.
4. Cut out the shape with scissors.
5. Trace your pattern so that your images fit together like a puzzle, without any space in between shapes.
Back to Top