21 Jul How to Draw ACHI (Tangle Step by Step)
Do you like bold, geometric border tangles? Then this one’s for you! Here’s the step by step instructions to draw my original tangle ACHI:
ACHI is actually one of the first tangles I ever created 😊 I still remember the moment it came to life: I was playing around with squares and lines when this woven effect suddenly appeared… and I instantly fell in love with it!
It’s built from really simple geometric shapes, but the magic happens when you add shading: that’s when ACHI truly transforms into a dimensional tangle.
What inspired ACHI?
ACHI was inspired by the intricate fret ornaments found in Aztec art, I’ve always been fascinated by their bold geometry and rich symbolism.
Did you know the Aztec language is called náhuatl? It was spoken centuries ago and is still alive today, used by millions of people (mainly in Mexico). In náhuatl, ACHI means “a little bit” or “fragment”, a name that felt just right for this modular, repeatable tangle.
Photo from: mexicolore.co.uk
A fun variation to experiment with:
I first introduced ACHI in a workshop back in November 2024, held at the lovely Caype art store in Vitoria-Gasteiz (northern Spain).
During the class, I experimented with changing the sizes of the squares to make the pattern even more dynamic and full of movement. It’s a small tweak that can completely shift the vibe of this tangle!
Now it’s your turn to try ACHI!
▶️ Tag me @mariopatterns and add #achitangle if you use ACHI.
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