Celtic knot designs are constructed using a grid method. The design consists of units, that are repeated throughout the layout.
Basic unit:
Place basic units in a string:
Link units with curves:
End the string with an End unit (half the width):
Shade it with a pencil to add shadows to overlapped bands.
Start with basic units. Link tops and bottoms with curves. Connect the middle ends with straight lines. Make sure the bands that start on top - go under, the bands that start below - go above. Shade when you are done.
1. Use a 20' x 13" board. Define the work area: 17.5" x 10.5" (by drawing 1.25" border). Divide it into a 1.75" grid units.
2. Mark every other one line crossing in checkerboard pattern (see below):
3. Mark the middle section as shown.
4. The band will curve around the marks that you created.
Draw (very lightly) 1" circles around your marks.
(For the worksheet - 0.5" circles)
5. Start drawing the first band with 2 parallel lines:
6. Create a corner
7. Draw more circles in the next row
8. Draw the overlapping band
9. More circles
10. Draw the curve for the second band to start the turn
11. Extend the band with 2 parallel lines
12. Start the next band
13. Create a turn
14. Complete the corner
15.More circles
16. Continue extending the bands
17. Trace the design with a marker.
18. Add the borders to the bands (see below).
19. Use watercolor pencils for coloring. Shade lightly over a section. Make sure you complete one section (closed shape) at a time. Shade darker by the edges.
20. Shade darker next to the overlapped areas to create a shadow effect.
21. Use water and paintbrush to complete the coloring. Make sure you use a dry paper towel to remove access water from the brush. Do not dip pencils into the water. Try to complete the section before it dries.
22. Use different color for the border