Week 43: Circles and Art

Circles are so much fun! This week I encourage learners to get out their compasses or a circle to trace and start making patterns on paper. Patterns with circles can start simple, but can also get really complex. You can combine your compass with a straight edge and get amazing patterns and tiles. Try intersecting circles and then placing your compass at intersections and adding more circles. Shading with markers, ink, or colored pencils can make beautiful stained glass-like mosaics.

Here are some ideas to play with circles and art:

• The Metropolitan Museum of art has a great activity here to take a look at Islamic art and geometry.
• Cut out some of your patterns to make a puzzle.
• Use tissue paper and make a see-through design on wax paper.
• Go big with string and chalk outside for your designs!
• Dip the top of a can or cup in paint and use it to create circle patterns on boards or fabric.
• Try playing with the negative space within the art – see how it changes the tiles and overall appearance.
• Use a digital drawing or design app and play with color pallets and design.
• Try adding details and embellish.
• Play with the Girih app (costs money) from the Apple app store.
• Play with an app: https://girihdesigner.com/.

I made tiles for my kids to play with and we’ve been having a blast: