Mosaic and Tessellated Patterns

How to Create Them, with 32 Plates to Color

John Willson

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780486243795
• eBook ISBN: 9780486136332
• Topic: Design
• Subtopic: Art Techniques

As old as ancient Rome, tessellated patterns can be seen in many places today: in Victor Vasarely's black-and-white paintings, in the designs of Ensor Holiday and M. C. Escher, in Spirograph drawings, and even in computer. John Willson, a research chemist, artist, and teacher, has been creating these dazzling "op art" designs for years. Now, he brings his special expertise to this unusual coloring book. Here you'll find complete information on tessellations and their creation, including:
• Definition of a tessellation
• History of tessellated designs, beginning with their origin in Rome
• Basic kinds of tessellations and how they are formed
• Detailed instructions for creating your own unique designs from common geometrical shapes
A full 179 figures illustrate the clearly written text. Also included is a special section of 32 full-page plates of tessellations, ready to be colored any way you wish. This is your best introduction to an unusual and rewarding pastime that will afford you many hours of creative satisfaction.

What Is a Tessellation?

A Roman mosaic consisted of many small stones which were laid edge to edge to cover a surface, such as a wall or a floor. These tiles were called tesserae, and the term tessellation is now used for any arrangement of shapes that completely covers a surface. This technique of space-filling can be seen in paved or parquet flooring, in ceramic tiling and in stained-glass windows. Tessellations even occur naturally on some crystal surfaces and in many cellular structures such as honeycombs. Tessellation is a form of design which has been used for thousands of years. Patterns found in a Roman villa in Greece, an Islamic mosque in Iran and the Alhambra palace in Spain are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Similar designs occur in many other countries which have been influenced by Greek, Roman, Byzantine or Arabic culture.

These patterns have inspired artists and designers throughout the centuries. In the last few decades, they have found a new lease on life through the work of Victor Vasarely, Bridget Riley, Maurits Escher, Ensor Holiday and many others.

In this book the basic principles of tessellation will be studied and various methods of creating new patterns will be explained. Some curious effects of shading will be analyzed, and in the center pages of the book there are many designs to explore, modify and color.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Effects of Color

Many tessellations take on new appearances or produce interesting optical effects when shaded or colored. The effects are often most noticeable when the designs are viewed from a distance or in subdued lighting or with one...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Dedication
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• What Is a Tessellation?
• DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PLATES