PatternBlock repeat

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

Block repeat

The most basic way of creating pattern is to block repeat.

This is where the motif is repeated in exactly the same way in horizontal and vertical lines.

Regular pattern - 4 rows of 4 goldfish pointing left to right
IzIznik tile in Rustempaşa Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, Ayhan Altun / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
IzIznik tile in Rustempaşa Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, Ayhan Altun / Alamy Stock Photo

Each of these tiles from the Rustempaşa Mosque in Istambul can be seen as a motif of a central with mirrored tulip shapes around it.

The tiles are arranged in a block repeat creating a regular pattern.

IzIznik tile in Rustempaşa Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, Ayhan Altun / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
IzIznik tile in Rustempaşa Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, Ayhan Altun / Alamy Stock Photo

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