Patterns in Art

Grade 1 · Art · Study Guide

Discover how artists create patterns by repeating shapes, colors, and lines.

A pattern is something that repeats. In art, a pattern can be made of shapes, colors, lines, or pictures that repeat over and over again.

You see patterns every day! Look at a checkerboard — it has black and white squares that repeat. Look at a striped shirt — it has lines that repeat. Even a row of polka dots is a pattern.

Artists use patterns to decorate things and make them beautiful. Pottery, fabric, rugs, and wallpaper often have patterns on them. Many cultures around the world have their own special patterns that they have used for hundreds of years.

To make a pattern, you pick one or more things called a unit, and you repeat it again and again. A simple pattern might be: circle, square, circle, square. A more complex pattern might use three or four different shapes.

Patterns can go in different directions. They can go side to side in a row, up and down in columns, or even diagonal. Some patterns repeat in every direction like a tile floor.

Making patterns is a great way to practice art because you learn to be careful and keep things even!

Key terms

pattern
A design made by repeating shapes, colors, or lines
repeat
To do or show something again and again
unit
The part of a pattern that gets repeated
symmetry
When a design looks the same on both sides
border
A pattern that runs along the edge of something
motif
A single shape or image that is used over and over in a pattern

Flashcards

pattern
Shapes, colors, or lines that repeat over and over
unit
The piece of a pattern that gets repeated
repeat
To show or do something again and again
stripes
A pattern made of lines going the same direction
checkerboard
A pattern of alternating squares in two colors
border
A pattern placed along the edge of something
motif
A shape or image used again and again in a pattern
symmetry
When both sides of a design look the same

Questions

  1. What is a pattern?

    1. A shape with four sides
    2. Something that repeats again and again
    3. A type of paint color
    4. A way to draw a face
    Show answer

    Answer: Something that repeats again and again

    A pattern is a design that repeats — the same shapes, colors, or lines appear again and again.

  2. A checkerboard is an example of a pattern.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    A checkerboard has black and white squares that alternate and repeat, making it a pattern.

  3. The part of a pattern that gets repeated is called the ______.

    Show answer

    Answer: unit

    The unit is the piece of the pattern that keeps repeating. In circle, square, circle, square — the unit is circle, square.

  4. Which of these is an example of a pattern?

    1. A single red dot
    2. Red, blue, red, blue, red, blue
    3. A big yellow square
    4. A painting of a dog
    Show answer

    Answer: Red, blue, red, blue, red, blue

    Red, blue, red, blue is a repeating sequence, which makes it a pattern.

  5. Patterns can only go in one direction — side to side.

    Show answer

    Answer: False

    Patterns can go side to side, up and down, diagonal, or in every direction at once like tiles on a floor.

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