Introduction to Celtic Knots
Celtic knots are a variety of repeating patterns or artistic representations of knots. These derive from Celtic history but are not uncommon in depictions of Christian concepts (such as the Cross) within Celtic Christianity. More often then not these are continual patterns similar to a mobius strip that have no specific beginning or ending.
Celtic Knot Theory
Ornamental knots have characterized Celtic art for centuries. Though they are not unique to Celtic cultures, the adoption of this art form by the Celts came to characterize Celtic artwork. Because of the repeating pattern and common designs found in Celtic knots they can be drawn consistently.
The Grid & Drawing Celtic Knots
Because of the repeatability of knot patterns when drawing them a grid can be used to accentuate the inherit consistency. Using a grid you encapsulate your pattern, which can be a freehand pattern, into a box and then repeat it within a grid. This can be accomplished electronically as well as programs such as Photoshop allow you to tile or repeat small patterns. Even by hand the same technique applies.
Entanglements
Once you’ve managed to consistently repeat patterns and have grown tired of simply making borders you may want to incorporate non-repeating images into your knot drawings. This is also common in Celtic artwork where a repeating knot drawing might be broken up by an image of a Celtic deity like Skoll the Wolf. This is accomplished by creating your borders as normal but crafting images around them, or simply drawing the borders around images and adjusting the edges of the repeating knot patterns around the image.
Exercises
The following links contain exercises for drawing Celtic knots.
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