01 / Prepare

Make a unit you can repeat.

Prepare four equal squares. On each one, draw the same corner arc or diagonal and fill the same side of the line. Keep the shape and the two colours consistent across the set.

If drawing an arc is awkward, use a simple diagonal instead. The exercise depends on a repeatable unit, not a particular drawing technique. Keep enough clear surface around the pieces to move them freely.

02 / Choose a rule

Decide what stays and what changes.

For the first comparison, keep the four tiles and the colours unchanged. Let orientation be the variable. Arrange the pieces in a two-by-two square, then turn one or more tiles by a quarter turn.

Before moving on, describe the rule in plain language: all filled corners point inward, every second tile turns, or one tile points away from the group. A clear rule makes the differences easier to explain.

03 / Compare

Record three arrangements.

Make a quick sketch or a personal reference photo of each arrangement. Look for complete shapes, repeated directions, gaps, and lines that seem to continue across a tile boundary.

Choose one version for its clarity and another for a useful tension or interruption. Write one sentence about each. Avoid adding pieces or colours until you can describe what the current set is doing.

04 / Fold

Move the idea onto a standing strip.

Take a separate strip of paper and fold it into four similar panels, alternating the fold direction to make a small accordion. Draw a module on each panel, using the same limited palette as the flat study.

Open the folds enough for the strip to stand. View it from different sides and notice which shapes line up or disappear. Change the opening of the folds before changing the drawing, so you can see what the structure contributes.

05 / Continue

Let the next study answer one question.

Choose a single change to investigate: a different spacing, a colour reversal, an extra repeat, or a new orientation. Keep the earlier arrangement nearby and compare the result with your original description.

Finish with a short note about what you discovered and what you would try next. A small study is complete when it gives you a clearer understanding of the relationship, even if it also suggests another direction.