Art patterns can be found in nature
Pattern art activities might include subject matter such as design, nature or textiles to name a few. Several well-known artists became popular through their works that featured patterns. One of these was M.C. Escher. Studying some of his work may inspire pattern creations in your artwork or that of your children. These activities are suitable to both adults and children by changing the amount of assistance given or the amount of detail and embellishment added to the project.
Artist M. C. Escher
Examine the work of Maurits C. Escher, a Dutch artist born in 1898 for examples of patterns. His print "Eight Heads" provides inspiration for an activity in patterns that uses printmaking. Notice how the heads repeat themselves in his print.
Use foam pieces such as those found under fresh meat at the grocery store. Ask for a donation at your store, recycle your own used ones after washing them thoroughly or purchase foam pieces made for art and hobby printing from a hobby or art store.
Think of a subject similar to Escher's "Eight Heads" that you can easily re-create on the foam. With a stylus, pointed stick or ink pen, create the outline of one simple object on a small piece of foam. Repeat and create two or more other objects on small pieces of foam. Paint over the foam with black acrylic paint or ink using a foam brush. Line up the pieces of foam, already loaded with paint, so that you can print all of them at once. Using a piece of paper large enough to repeat printing the objects the number of times you desire, place your paper over the foam and roll over the back of the paper with a brayer or rolling pen, then lift carefully. Allow your first row of printing to dry so that it does not smear. Repeat this with each of your rows of printing, making sure that you place the paper over the foam pieces so that it prints in a new location, lined up with the previous ones and not over what you already printed.
Textiles
Examine some pictures of oriental or Native American carpets noticing the patterns they contain. Create a resist painting by first drawing a pattern design such as those in the carpets using a thick, black crayon or oil pastel line. Next, using watercolor paints, paint the colors of your design directly over the black lines. The paint does not adhere wherever the black lines are and shows through, creating an oriental carpeting look. If your design contains a white area, color it with thick white crayon or oil pastel before painting so the paint does not adhere to that portion.
Create another textile pattern art after studying the designs of patterned quilts made in the middle 1800s to 1900s. Re-create a quilt pattern in paper using designed paper such as wrapping, construction, craft or scrapbooking paper cut into geometric shapes. Cut the paper into diamonds, triangles or rectangles, then arrange a pattern design on another sheet of paper. Be sure to arrange your design completely before gluing it together on the background sheet of paper.
Nature
Patterns in nature, particularly animals, are abundant. Have children create a creature collage that uses patterns. Animals such as snakes, bees, birds, tigers, zebras and butterflies all have patterned skin, feathers or fur. After children choose an animal to create in collage, have them draw an outline of the animal on large paper. Provide paper to cut the animal pieces to create the pattern. After cutting the pieces necessary to create the creature, glue the pieces onto the paper paying attention to the pattern the animal contains. When finished, use colored pencil, markers, crayon or pastels to draw details and background.
