8. Celtic Patterns

If you liked the effect shading had on your ribbons then you'll love Celtic patterns. Among the most popular design motifs for craftsmen are the elaborate knot work, spirals, interlacing and biomorphic forms found in the Book of Kells, the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch. These intricate patterns have been used in the past in stonework, jewellery, metalwork and illuminated manuscripts. Today we can add pyrography! The interlacing pattern looks flat when it's first drawn but as soon as the shading is put in it looks wonderful. The bands look as if they are really weaving in and out.

Exercise 8

Trace a design from my examples of Celtic patterns or get a book on Celtic designs and copy one of them. Remember if it goes underneath it's darker and if it goes over the top it's lighter. The effect of an elaborate piece of knotwork on a piece of white sycamore is beautiful.