A tessellation is a type of drawing style created by M.C. Escher that uses shapes to create a pattern that fills the page. This style is unique because it uses a shape that fits into itself multiple times to create the piece. To create your own stingray tessellation, you must first create a template using tracing paper. You will then transfer this template onto the paper multiple times to get the tessellation effect.
Instructions
1. Use the ruler to draw a perfect square or rectangle on a piece of tracing paper. The sides of the shape must have the same length and the top and bottom must also be the same length for the tessellation to work properly.
2. Place a second piece of tracing paper on top of the shape you drew in Step 1 and trace it. On the second piece, draw a line on the top edge of the rectangle to make the head of the stingray. Place the second paper under the first and trace the line you drew on the top and bottom edges of the rectangle.
3. Draw a line on the left side of the rectangle on the second page to create the sides of the stingray. Once again, place this sheet under the first one and trace the line you just drew onto the left and right edges of the rectangle to complete the shape of your stingray.
4. Place the completed shape under a fresh sheet of tracing paper. Trace the entire shape onto any location on the page. If the template was made correctly, you will be able to slide the page so the shape underneath will line up perfectly with any edge of the shape you just drew.
5. Continue to fill in the space on the page with the stingray shape. Once the page is filled, you can use colored pencils to add details to the multiple stingrays that now fill the page.
