I’d been meaning to get around to taking an online geometry session with The Art of Process. I wanted to try drawing up the diatoms more accurately than my looser sketchbook work, just to see if it would help with the design work for the glass forms.
My weak point is all the maths, so I felt like I needed some help at establishing the base structure of the diatom forms. It was time to get out my ruler and compass again.
Centric with a triangular shape
This 12 pointed star-shape began with an 8cm radius compass setting. It was a very satisfying process seeing the shape come together using the geometry. This shape can be used to render the Entogoniopsis Polycistinora diatom which is a Triceratium genus.
Entogoniopsis Polycistinora diatom
Rendering the geometry sketch
I started to play around with adding the detail from the diatom onto the geometry sketch. I have re drawn the base sketch so I can try it again with more accuracy. I might then trace it onto some nice paper and try using colour with it.
Ian has an idea of us both using CAD using some of my drawings as reference. This would be a fantastic way for me to develop my skills using the software (meshmixer), an excellent learning experience for both of us and a really valuable piece of evidence if we record and edit it.