PatternRegular patterns

A pattern is a design in which lines, shapes, forms or colours are repeated. The part that is repeated is called a motif. Patterns can be regular or irregular.

Part ofArt and DesignElements of art

Regular patterns

Evenlode, William Morris, 1883, textile print, bilwissedition Ltd. & Co. KG / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Evenlode, William Morris, 1883, textile print, bilwissedition Ltd. & Co. KG / Alamy Stock Photo

Patterns can be regular or irregular.

In regular patterns the motif (or motifs) is repeated in a way that is predictable.

It could be exactly the same each time, or it could change in a way that is regularly repeated.

There are many ways to arrange motifs to create a regular pattern.

Evenlode, William Morris, 1883, textile print, bilwissedition Ltd. & Co. KG / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Evenlode, William Morris, 1883, textile print, bilwissedition Ltd. & Co. KG / Alamy Stock Photo

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