How Escher Did... Combining Black, Grey, and White with Development

Having composed the two distinct elements Development and Black, Grey and White, these can now be combined as a single composition, this to be followed by the final step in the process, namely that of adding a motif. All that is necessary is to match appropriate formats and tempos and simply put together as below. The examples below show the use of a Greek cross bird motif, taken from my own notebooks. As such, these are to show the principle of the idea, and should not be considered as finished works drawn and finished to the highest standards. As this is for demonstrative purposes, an arbitrary choice is made of the two types of formats shown, with the linear strip being of 10 x 6 and chequerboard of 10 x 10. Each type and format is shown in two parts, with the left side consisting of the assembled development, accompanied on the right hand side with the addition of a bird motif, with its interior detail, suitably proportionate to the tiles degree of development i.e. with a 'near square' very little detail, whilst with the fully formed Greek cross the interior is shown in full detail.

Linear Strips - 10 x 6

Figure 1(a)

Even borders. Left, Black, Grey and White with Development. Right, Motif added

Figure 1(b) 

Faint chequer borders. Left, Black, Grey and White with Development. Right, Motif added

Chequerboards - 10 x 10

Figure 2 (a) 

Even border. Left, Black, Grey, White and Development. Right, Motif added

Figure 2 (b)

Faint chequer border. Left, Black, Grey and White and Development. Right, Motif added