Mosaics and Pattern

Mosaics and

Pattern


Explore Mosaics in Art & create your own!!!

Multiple Choice

What is a mosaic again? Choose the correct definition…

• 1. An image produced by arranging together small pieces of material.

• 1. A graphic organizer arranging colors according to their wavelengths.

• 1. the representation of objects in a three dimensional space.

MOSAIC


An image produced
by arranging
together small
pieces of material.

Can be made from
ceramics, glass, marble,
stone, tiles and found
objects

Early Mosaics


Columns decorated by the
Sumerians in a mosaic-like
technique with polychrome

terracotta cones

Mesopotamia


Initiated mosaics as an art form with

intricate geometric

patterns/symmetry and

representation on large open floor

and wall spaces.

-From stone mosaics in the

beginning to glass in new ranges of

color

Greek & Roman


technique known as zillij, which

involved creating custom tiles

that would fit perfectly together.
The finished effect in this

type of mosaic art was seamless

Islamic, zillij

8-10th

Century BC

5th-8th

Century BC

3rd millennium

3rd Millenium
BCE


(5,000 yrs. ago)


Open Ended

Why would crafters & architects be more drawn to mosaics instead of  commissioning a painting, in your opinion?

TESSERA/TESSERAE


a small piece
of stone,
glass,
ceramic, or
other hard
material cut
in a cubical or
some other
regular shape

Q: What type of stone or type of mosaic do YOU like most??

St. Peter’s Basilica- 13th Century


St. Peter’s Basilica was built
mostly in the 1500s. Artists

began installing the mosaics in

the latter decades of that
century. Most of them are
reproductions of famous

paintings that reside elsewhere,
such as The Transfiguration by

Raphael.

There is only ONE painting inside the basilica- all other works of art are MOSAICS!!

Mosaics vs. paintings

for altar pieces


Mosaic Styles


Designs and patterns made from mosaics can be complex and complicated or simple and

clean- either way they are intricate and beautiful!

Here we have traditional geometric types of mosaics from Medieval Europe, Ancient Greece and Islam

Your Objective:

●SYMMETRICAL,
ASYMMETRICAL, RADIAL??

●GEOMETRIC OR ORGANIC
DESIGNS

●COLORS!! Rainbow, earth
tones, random, specific color
scheme, contrasting
complementary colors?!

CREATE A MOSAIC THAT SHOWS BALANCE USING PATTERN

AND REPETITION


Geometric vs.

Organic mosaic

Traditional Mosaic

1.Sketch a design in sketchbook- simple linear concept!Then
copy that to your surface are, canvas, wood, etc.

2.If you use wood- rub a thin layer of glue over the whole
surface- this cures the wood and helps it from becoming
porous

3.Attach the tiles to the block using the adhesive. To do this,
simply apply the glue to the surface in sections and stick
the tesserae within 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch of one another.

4.Let the pieces dry for at least 24 hours BEFORE you grout!

5.Once dry, it's time to grout! Wipe off the surface of your
mosaic to get rid of any debris or extra glue.

6.Put on gloves and use your fingers to apply the grout.
Cover the entire piece (even the tiles themselves!), making
sure it's getting in between the gaps.

7.Once you're done, use your hand to wipe off as much excess
grout as you can. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

8.Use a damp sponge to clean the grout from the surface of
your piece. Once done, throw any leftover grout into the
garbage—not down the sink!

Voila! Take a photo and submit to the MOSAIC ASSIGNMENT!

Materials: Adhesive like PVA glue or
elmers glue, tessera or tile pieces,
surface like canvas, wood, cork
board, grout, and sketchbook and
pencil

Traditional
Mosaic- NO GROUT

1.Sketch a design on surface (wood, canvas or other
background surface)

2.You may want to plan out your design first on the board
WITHOUT glue

3.Attach the tiles to the block or surface by gluing them
down– remember to glue closer together since you are
NOT adding grout you don’t want huge gaps

4.As you glue, you can get in between grooves and gaps,wipe
away excess and keep going!

5.Check pieces make sure they are glued down properly!

6.Voila! Take a photo and submit to the MOSAIC
ASSIGNMENT!

(Materials are the same as previous MINUS the grout)

Land Art

1.Sketch a design on paper first- quick linear and simple

2.Gather materials you will need! Stones, pebbles and rocks,
seashells, etc. a combination! Just make sure you have
enough for your design and that they can withstand
OUTDOOR elements as you are building and creating

3.Choose an area outside where you believe it will be
un-disturbed–you may even want to make a little sign! You
will be adding to this for each class period so you don’t want
anyone stepping, kicking or throwing away your art!

4.Create your design using your found objects in the ground
until it is complete!

5.Voila! Take a photo and submit to the MOSAIC
ASSIGNMENT!

Land art is meant to be temporary! We use materials that are
earth friendly so they can remain– any other types of materials
like plastic need to be removed and recycled once you have taken
photos and are done!

Want to collaborate with a partner? YOU CAN!

Paper Mosaic

1.Sketch a design on paper first- quick linear and simple

2.Gather materials you will need! Crafting paper, colored
paper, construction paper?

3.Cut your tessera pieces. Think about the shapes you want
to use, since you are going to CUT out your pieces you get
to choose the shape– custom design! Play with your paper
pieces to get your design down before you glue anything!

4.Glue onto a paper surface or even something like cardboard
or other material that is good for paper gluing. Your surface
can range from 6x9, 8x5, 8x11. Anything bigger you may
not have time for! Remember to think about how YOU
personally work. (fast or slow)

5.Once all your pieces are glued, double check for fly away
pieces.

6.Voila! Take a photo and submit to the MOSAIC
ASSIGNMENT!

Materials: Glue stick/glue, paper of
all kinds! (crafting, origami, textured
etc) scissors, base paper to glue onto,
pencil and sketchbook for your idea

Digital Mosaic

1.Go to https://docs.google.com/drawings

2.Draw out a simple line design to setup your space in your
drawing doc

3.Use the SHAPES tool to create the mosaic shapes you will
use– an easy way to create multiples of the same shape, is
to make ONE and copy and paste to duplicate!

4.Color and customize your shapes by reshaping, filling them
with color with the bucket tool etc.! Rearrange your shapes
to craft your design. Spaces can be very tightly arranged or
with a little gap!

5.Once you’re design is ready, go to FILE> Download>PNG
and upload this to the MOSAIC ASSIGNMENT

NOTE: these visual examples are to show digital elements
not the design— we are NOT creating animals so follow
the Objective :)

Yes, you CAN
use any
digital
program you
have access
to!

Important Tools for Success

Undo and
Redo buttons

Zoom Button.
Very helpful
when working
on small
details!

Fill Tool.
Shapes you
draw get filled
by choosing a
color here

Outline Tool.
Select the
outline color for
your shapes

Select Tool.
Highlight the shape
or area you want to
modify

Shape Tool. Use
this to make
your shapes for
your mosaic