More Maths in Art

Good afternoon everyone!  Another maths in art post from me today!  I was inspired by Mrs Piper’s Scribbly Bugs and the work of artist Alex Kohnahin to make these symmetrical insects.

 

Something is symmetrical if one side is a mirror image of the other side.  Lots of shapes can be symmetrical, and you can make symmetrical patterns.  You also find symmetry in nature.  A good example of this is the butterfly – its wings are mirror images of each other.  However, other insects are often symmetrical too.  Can you think of or find other examples?

The artist Alex Kohnahin created beautiful, extraordinarily detailed drawings of insects, and they are all symmetrical.

I thought it might be fun to create our own pictures inspired by him.  I’ve included step by step instructions below.  If you make them why not display them with your Scribbly Bugs?

 

First take a piece of plain white paper and fold it in half.

Starting at the fold/closed edge, draw half of your insect.  You can use curly lines and patterns like Alex Kohnahin does, but you will have to re-draw anything you do here, so it might be a good idea to keep it simple!

Then turn the paper over so your drawing is face down.

You will see the outline of your drawing on the other side. Trace over your drawing.  To make this easier you could put your piece of paper in a window – the light shining through will make it easier to see your lines.  I made a light box using a clear plastic container and the torch on my phone!

Once you’ve traced over your lines, open up the paper and you should have created a symmetrical drawing!

Now, you can add colour!

I’d love to see any creatures you create so remember to comment here, send me an email, post on Twitter or on Teams.

Have a lovely afternoon!

Miss Mitchell