Tangle patterns › Paradox
How to Draw Paradox, Step by Step
Paradox is made only of straight lines, yet it looks like it is twisting. Inside a triangle you keep drawing a slightly smaller, slightly rotated triangle, and the straight lines add up to a spiral.
Step 1 of 3
Split the area into triangles. Here the tile is divided by its two diagonals.
Watch it draw stroke by stroke, pause on any step, then try it yourself on paper.
Paradox step by step
Step 1Split the area into triangles. Here the tile is divided by its two diagonals.
Step 2In the first triangle, draw a line from each corner to a point a little way along the next side, going around in the same direction, and repeat inward.
Step 3Fill the other triangles the same way, switching direction in each neighbouring triangle.
Tips for a neat Paradox
- Always go around in the same direction inside one triangle, or the twist collapses.
- Short steps (about an eighth of the side) give a smoother curve.
- Rotate the tile so you are always pulling the pen toward you.
Variations to try
- Use squares instead of triangles for a square whirl.
- Twist every triangle the same way for a pinwheel.
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