Ink
Your drawing stays in this browser, so it's still here if you come back later. Ctrl+Z undoes a stroke, and Ctrl+Shift+Z brings it back.
How to draw one
- Pick how many mirrors you want. 6 or 8 is a good place to start.
- Draw a short line near the center, and you'll see it repeat all the way around.
- Add a few curves further out, in a second ink, so the shape grows in rings.
- Switch off the guides to see it clean, then press Save as PNG.
You don't have to draw anything that looks like something. Loops, zigzags and dots all turn into patterns once they're repeated. Small strokes near the center make a tight flower, and long ones toward the edge make big petals.
Mirror on or off
With Mirror on, every slice is the mirror image of the one next to it, the way the pattern looks inside a kaleidoscope. Each stroke shows up twice in every slice, so 8 mirrors give you 16 copies. With Mirror off, every slice is the same stroke turned around the center, which gives a pinwheel that seems to spin.
The setting you pick doesn't change what's already drawn. It applies to the next stroke, so you can mix both in one drawing. Try a pinwheel in the middle and a mirrored ring around it.
A few ideas to try
- Go up to 24 mirrors and draw tiny dots. It'll look like lace.
- Drop to 2 or 3 mirrors and draw something bold. It'll look more like a butterfly or a logo.
- Use black paper with yellow, pink and white ink for a neon look.
- Draw with a thick brush first, then add thin lines on top.
Questions
How do I save my drawing?
Press Save as PNG. You get a 2048 by 2048 picture with the paper color behind it and no guides or watermark.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Draw with your finger or a stylus. The page doesn't scroll while your finger is on the drawing, so your line goes where you meant it.
Can I undo a clear?
Yes. Clear puts every stroke on the redo list, so pressing Redo brings them back one by one.
Is there an app version?
Yes. My Symmetry Drawing app for Android has the same mirror drawing with 2 to 24 mirrors, plus a spirograph with real gears and a risograph print look. It has no ads, and your drawings are saved in a gallery on your phone.
Symmetry Drawing
Draw one line and watch it bloom into a mandala, or roll real gears into a spirograph curve. No ads.