Art and Design A comprehensive guide for creative artists - Aaltodoc

A small section
of a floor
surface, showing
randomly
arranged
recycled tiles. The
same approach
can be used
to construct a
mosaic artwork.
And in an indirect method of producing mosaic
artworks there is a great possibility of attaining smooth
and even surfaces, as well as having the capacity
to execute very huge collage projects. The Indirect
method involves working or making mosaic in an
inverted (upside down) way on a clean flat surface of
the support. Kennedy & Pompilio (2005, 17) note, “In
the indirect method of creating a mosaic, an adhesive
sheet is placed over a pattern, then tesserae are
carefully assembled on the surface and then concrete
or grout is poured over the tesserae.” When the artwork
is turned to the actual (front) side, it will appear smooth
and flat.
In a subsequent way, the Uganda Advanced Certificate of
Education, Regulations and Syllabuses, 2009 – 2012 (Uganda
National Examinations Board, 2008, (e), 226) offers this
excellent mosaic expectation: “Learners who carry on tasks
with inherent features of mosaics and collage ... are expected
to have their finished artworks suitably mounted or framed.
And the artwork must show potential evidence of ability
to relate design to the medium.” For instance, if the mosaic
artwork was created with tiles on a wall surface framing may
be created by arranging lager sizes of tiles in a contrasting
colour or tone.
In Pat Torlen (2001, 4) et al.'s introduction, “traditional mosaic
and ceramic tiles are still used to make beautiful art pieces
but with the addition of different materials such as broken
china, glass nuggets, art glass and jewels, mirror, stones,
fossils, shells and other found objects.” As creative artists,
we may as well experiment with other found objects
like buttons, beads, as well as small ornamental items of
jewellery to produce mosaic artworks.
How to produce a simple mosaic
Making mosaic artworks can be such a complicated task
since most of the necessary materials are bulky.
However, there are some basic approaches, which can be
used to creatively execute a mosaic artwork. Let us say, if the
creative artist uses grout or any other adhesive substance
to arrange stones, or seeds of different colour and sizes—
beside each other on a prescribed surface of the support.
The obtained results shall be a simple mosaic artwork.
Here is a simple technique:
Find a source of inspiration and make a sketch of a desired
mosaic artwork. Or, use an already done sketch. Remove the
bulk of unwanted details to make it fit well with the desired
task—to stay less complicated.
Then, identify necessary tesserae; you can use small pieces
of stones with varied colours and sizes.
In general, a mosaic artwork has got to be done on a hard
surface like a fired pottery/vase, a platter, a table top, picture
frame trays, candle holders, relief sculptures and on wall or
ceiling surfaces.
Nevertheless, everything about a satisfactory mosaic
design comes from the creative mind of the artist, followed
by having the necessary skills of interpreting some of the
pointed out demands of a provided task.
If the tesserae used are tiles, but not stones. Break them into
small pieces and put them in categories of itemised colours,
sizes or textures accordingly.
Steadily, lay well each tesserae piece on the surface of
the support—following directions provided by a
sketch. Leave small gaps or crevices in between
each tessera for adding grout or a provided
adhesive. Dierk, 1997, 25 says, “Grout fills the
crevices between tesserae, adding considerable
strength and durability to the construction. Grout
joints also bring a linear quality to the design ...”
When a grouting stage is completely done, use a
dampened sponge to clean off excess grout. And
when the artwork is ready or successfully done,
take it and keep it in a safe place to dry.
A mosaic artwork
Materials: A plate
made out of paper,
glue, peanuts
arranged with
cereal grains on
a plastic surface
of the support.
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