PatternHalf-drop

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

Half-drop

Half-drop patterns are made by dropping every second line of motifs down a half-length height of the motif.

Half drop pattern - 4 lines of 4 goldfish, but every second fish is dropped down half of its height
Decorative tile, Topkapi Palace museum, Istanbul, Turkey, Efrain Padro / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Decorative tile, Topkapi Palace museum, Istanbul, Turkey, Efrain Padro / Alamy Stock Photo

These tiles from the Topkapi Palace in Istambul are arranged in a half-drop repeat.

The leaf-shaped motif is arranged so that alternate columns are staggered vertically by half the height of the motif.

The pattern is regular but feels more varied than a block repeat.

Decorative tile, Topkapi Palace museum, Istanbul, Turkey, Efrain Padro / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Decorative tile, Topkapi Palace museum, Istanbul, Turkey, Efrain Padro / Alamy Stock Photo

More guides on this topic