Graphic Design and Illustration
Repeat Pattern
Tile Design
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php
?hleda=pattern
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Repeat Patterns in
Historical Context
Cultures throughout history have used repeated designs to
embellish functional and decorative objects such as tiles,
ceramics, metalwork, jewelry, fabrics, weaving, and
beadwork.
Images of antique patterns are in the Public Domain
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Examples of
Pattern from
a Variety of
Cultures
Medieval
European
Egyptian
Islamic
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Amish Quilt, USA
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Vocabulary Terms
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Pattern – repetition of line, shape, color, texture, space, or form in
an artwork.
Symmetrical Balance – type of balance where both sides of a
center line are the same, or about the same. Example: our faces,
our bodies.
Radial Balance – a type of balance in which shapes or lines spread
out from a center point, like a wheel.
Unity – a quality that occurs when all part of an artwork combine to
create a sense of completion and wholeness.
Variety – a combination of the elements of art to provide interest in
the artwork
Organic Shapes – natural, curved, or free form
Geometric Shapes – straight lines and precise edges
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4
Color Considerations
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Analogous colors appear next to each other on the
color wheel. Example: An analogous color scheme is:
 yellow, yellow green, green, blue green, blue.
Complementary colors are directly across from each
other on a color wheel.
 The high contrast of complementary colors creates a
vibrant look especially when used at full saturation.
Complementary colors work well when you want
something to stand out. Example: red, and green.
Tints are gradations of a color. When using paint, a tint
is achieved by adding white.
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Creating a Template
When you have finalized your design, create a
6” square template using tracing paper and a
black marker.
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Creating a Template
When folded into a triangle, edge A should
meet edge B exactly.
A
B
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Edges
A&B
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Final Measurements
To complete your design, you will need:
1. 14” square drawing paper
2. Pencil
3. Ruler
4. Light box
5. Color pencils
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Final Measurements
Carefully mark the following measurements on
each edge of a 14” square piece of drawing
paper.
1”, 7”, 13”
Use a light pencil mark.
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Tracing
Using a light box, place the template under the
paper, aligning the center point and lightly trace
the image with a pencil.
Rotate the template
90 degrees and trace
again, repeating until
the design is
complete.
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Color Pencil Technique
Experiment with
color pencils to
achieve a variety of
tints and textures.
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References
Racinet, Auguste. (1988). Racinet’s Historic Ornament in Full Color.
Mineola. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
Amish Quilt Patterns: www.dartmouth.edu
Medieval Textile Patterns:
http://www.medievaltextiles.org/gallery/gallery.html
Textile Patterns: http://www.textilemuseum.org/exhibitions/previous.htm
Islamic Textile Patterns:
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/geom/hd_geom.htm
National Museum of the American Indian, http://www.nmai.si.edu/
J. Paul Getty Museum, Understanding Formal Analysis: Elements of Art,
copyright 2011, J. Paul Getty Trust,
http://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/building_lessons/elements_art.
pdf
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Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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