Sacred Geometry: A Primer

Ever hear of the Vesica Piscis? It's well, I'll show you first and then talk about it. You start with a line.

 Then you draw a circle on the line.

Then at the same compass setting draw another circle on one of the points where the circle and the line intersect.

That  area where the circles overlap is a Vesica Piscis, which I believe means something along the lines of "fish guts" you may recognize it as the 'Jesus fish' also Venn diagrams look like that. To learn more about the Vesica Piscis I refer you to Scread Geometry: Philosphy and Practice by Robert Lawlor, pages 32 - 35.
With the Vesica Piscis it's possible to create a double square, or other rectangle. To start, make another Vesica Piscis by drawing a circle on one of the points where line and circle intersect.
Draw lines between the verticals in the Vescias.

Connect between the lines.

This rectangle is not actually a double square but it is possible to make one this way.
 Or you can just make a cool design.

Sometimes I feel like I'm going in all different directions art wise, I don't think I will ever be the artist that just does one style or sort of thing. I'm interested in geometry, sacred geometry, Islamic designs, painting, drawing, and the list goes on. Today's focus was Islamic designs.

I'm trying out a new paper, Arches (pronounced arsch (it's a French paper) but people will probably call it arches) Watercolor Hot Press. Hot press means that it's smooth, cold pressed papers are rougher/ more textured. I'm liking it so far but I haven't tried any shading on it yet.
I love Islamic designs because they're so beautiful but I also like them because of the symbolism they have. In Islam they don't use images of people or animals, etc. to avoid idol worship, so they use designs and they have symbolism in them. This design is called "The Breath of The Compassionate"

I was really excited to have figured out a good way to incorporate the pattern I've been working with into a finished piece. I got the nudge in the right direction through this piece by Whitney Johnson. Here's the piece.

untitled

prismacolor and graphite on illustration board
2011

detail

Here's a sneak peak at a new piece. It's graphite and prismacolor.

Here is the almost finished product of the circle pattern study, quite a change from it's beginnings.

So a while ago I started drawing and with one thing and another I just now finished it. As I was drawing I was reminded that one, it's really better to draw with one source of northern light rather than one or two sources of southern light, northern light is more consistent; and two, that it's better to do these sort of drawings from life in one go if at all possible because then you don't have to try to replicate the set up that you formerly had.

detail

The study continues. I decided to take another shot at what I started out to do when I ended up with this. When I got the final product, I didn't really care for it as much as I had thought I would and so I decided to add some color. I don't have pictures yet of the colored final product but is interesting to really pay attention to how various elements will effect a piece.

Pattern Study

I've decided to study patterns, I am very interested in many patterns and want to understand them better and incorporate them in my work. Think Josef Albers and his squares, that sort of thing. Here's my first study piece.

A new drawing begun.

The final product of the acorn and oak leaf drawing. This piece is available for sale, leave a comment to find out more.

Untitled
Graphite
9x9 in.
2011

It's amazing how many different designs, etc. you can make with circles.

Untitled
Watercolor and Graphite
9X9in.
2010
Series: Eternal Round

Openings
graphite
2010
Series: Choices