Fish scales arrange beautifully in different directions – from top to bottom, round or right to left, and thus create a lovely effect on home accessories. Their beauty lies in the fact that they fit perfectly into any home interior and add a touch of freshness to it.
Mosaic Art Project Using Fish Scale Shapes
Combine natural science and art in this project, which uses the shapes of fish scales as the basis of a cut paper mosaic.
Scales are layers of thin, transparent, overlapping plates. The shapes can be cut from any type of paper and glued onto poster board or cardstock. With creative color combinations, along with different types of paper, these can be dramatic pieces of art.
As an art project, any one of these mosaic patterns can cover an entire page – from 8 ½” x 11” to 18” x 24”. As a science project, students could do a sampler – folding a piece of paper in quarters and devoting one space to each of the scale patterns.
Scale Patterns
There are four main types of scales. Scales don’t increase in number as a fish grows. Instead, the individual scales grow, quickly in the summer and slowly in the winter. This varied growth rate creates a pattern almost like the rings in a tree trunk.
- Ctenoid scales have tiny “teeth” along the edge.
- Cycloid scales have a smooth surface.
- Ganoid scales are shiny, hard, and diamond shapes.
- Placoid scales look at tiny teeth or thorns and can be found on sharks and most rays.
Mosaic or Collage Art
Show students the four different shapes of fish scales. Students can select the shape they want to work with for their art project. They should draw or trace the shape onto thin cardboard (an old file folder or cereal box) and cut it out. This shape becomes their template for tracing the number of shapes they will need for their project.
Students can use gift wrap paper, scrapbook paper, recycled photocopies, construction paper, etc. Children can determine a color combination to use throughout their art piece or they can rely on patterned paper to provide additional interest to the art. They could consider outlining the shape of each scale for a dramatic effect.
Homemade fish in pastel colours
Pastel colours are great for medium size pillows for any interior. Scales on a fish-shaped pillow will look brilliant on any bed or sofa.
Most of us like to make sure the pillow or bedspread is soft and mellow. In this case, the best choices are single jersey or interlock cotton – durable fabrics that are also soft. Additionally, they are easy to work with and sewing them requires little effort.
Monochromatic fish blankets
Unicoloured scales with gently emphasised contours are a good option for interiors with more distinctive individual accents, for example, a darker table against light-coloured walls. In such an interior, monochromatic scales will look fantastic on larger accessories, such as a blanket, a pillow or a translucent throw for a dresser. Fabrics that will suit this type of accessories are voile, which is flowing and does not deform on furniture, cotton interlock – perfect for a soft blanket, satin – for a pillowcase or a sofa spread.
Other fish – other arrangements and shapes
Scales are usually semicircular and even, but not always. They are often arranged in an S-shape or interlaced with a string that resembles pearls. Some are arranged smoothly and thus imitate the flow of water. They will look beautiful on large accessories such as a laundry basket or curtains in tall windows. With such big decorative elements, durable and stiffer fabrics such as gabardine or panama will be brilliant. They will also add some elegance to the room – higher grammature fabrics will create impressive folds.
Monochromatic scales combined with some other colour provide an original effect and fit into interiors.
Fish scales are one of the most original decorative motifs for the house, so pillows, cases, seats or blankets made with the DIY technique will also be excellent gifts for enthusiasts of fishkeeping.
