Mosaics Info

Mosaics are creative images from the assemblage of stones, glass, and other small pieces of materials. It is also considered as a decorative art technique and an important facet of interior design. Mosaic arts can be of spiritual and cultural significance. Have you seen mosaics in the cathedrals? These are great examples of mosaics with spiritual significance. Pictures and patterns are created by using pottery fragments (also called tesserae/tessellae) and small tiles or colored/clear glass.
The pattern or picture created varies depending on the design of the artist. Most mosaic artists make use of china, shells, mirror, pebbles, ceramics, and glass. Each piece is called tessera while the spaces in between where grout is placed are called interstices. The flow or movement of the tesserae is called andamento. These are some of the terms that you should be familiar with if you’re working with mosaics. There are various choices of cutting the pieces used in mosaic and this is called ‘opus’ which means ‘work’. The following are the various cuts and positioning of the materials:
• The tesserae are laid out in regular brick-like straight lines (opus tessellatum)
• Horizontal and vertical lines in a regular grid (opus regulatum)
• Flowing/wriggling lines on the surface (opus vermiculatum)
• Vermiculatum with background and image (opus musivum)
• Crazy-paving appearance because of the irregular shapes being used (opus palladianum)
There are three methods being used in mosaics. The first one is the direct method. As the word suggests, the pieces are directly placed or glued to the surface. This method is best used in vases and other transportable objects. The mosaic is visible enough to allow adjustments. There is a disadvantage in using this method because you need to work on the actual surface immediately. Sometimes, the surface becomes uneven. This method is not suitable for large projects.
The other method is the indirect and this is often used for large projects. The tiles are first placed on backing papers with the use of adhesive and later on, it is transferred to the craft projects, floors, or walls. This gives the artist to rework certain areas. The result is an even and smoother surface. Some examples of mosaics using the indirect method are tabletops, benches, and murals.
Another method is the double indirect. In this method, the complete work can be see even during the process of its creation, hence the term double indirect. The tessarae pieces are placed over a certain medium, faced up. The medium is turned over and removed; then the indirect procedure is followed. This method is fussy and at times, the work is damaged.
Tessellation is the mathematics of mosaics. Each of the tessarae is placed mathematically to ensure the preciseness and beauty of the work. Today, digital imaging is also being used, thanks to the advanced technology. For example, an image is chosen for a floor and the image is broken down into pixels that appear like ceramic tiles like that of the pool of University of Toronto. Different themes can be created using digital imaging.
Mosaics have gone a long choice ever since it was first introduced in the art scene. Many people today are quite interested in this work of art and it’s also easy to learn. If you want to learn mosaic, you simply need to enroll in a class for a certain fee.

Read More..

Mosaics Info 101

In this article, you will find some of the most common mosaic info that people want to know about before starting their project.
Outdoor mosaic – for starters, make sure that you begin with simple small designs for the birdbath, fountain, or the patio floor. Using ordinary glue is not enough. You must be aware the mosaic will be vulnerable to moisture over time. For outdoor mosaic, it would be best to use a thinset bonding mortar. This is like cement; there are several brands of this mortar, just pick the one that you can afford. Well of course, you will also need to get mosaic tiles suitable for you project and the grout. Attaching the tiles is also the same as the indoor mosaic.
Using tiles with various thickness – some mosaic artists use different tiles for their project. In most cases, the tiles have varied thickness. Again you will be using thinset and not the ordinary glue. Try to mix it about 1-2 pounds and smear the mixture on the wall of the fountain or any outdoor structure using a putty knife or a trowel. The mixture should be at least 1/8-1/4 inch thick and then press the tiles into it. Don’t forget to wear protective gloves and alchoices have a moist rag within your reach. The rest of the thinset should be placed inside a bucket with cover to make it workable.
Plywood/wood mosaic – you can use these materials for indoor mosaics only. If you want your mosaic to last, you must invest in the right kind of materials. It would be best to choose a backing which is resistant to decay and moisture. For outdoors, you can use concrete boards. You can use plywood or plain wood as backings for wall plaques and mirror frames.
Stones and marbles for mosaic – you can use these materials while the concrete is still wet. However, if you plan to use glue, use a good and high quality one. Grouting it necessary and you should do it properly. For those who want to place tiles around the marbles, use thicker tiles. You need to ensure that the marbles or stones will not pop off during grouting. Use a glove when grouting.
Using thinset – it alchoices comes with instructions on how to prepare the mixture. Follow the instructions carefully and handle it properly. It can be compared to concrete products and grout so this means that mixing it up is messy. Do it outside and wear a dust mask. Don’t inhale the dust.
Tiles sliding on the walls – some mosaic artists, especially the beginners, worry about the tiles sliding off after gluing. If you don’t want this to happen, glue the tiles first to a mesh (fiberglass) on the work table. Cut the sections to smaller ones so that transferring them to the wall will be easier. You can use Weldbond to glue the tiles. Leave it for a day or two and then mount the tiles to the wall. Before mounting, make sure that you put glue on the wall surface and press the mesh to it. You can start grouting after two days.
There you have it, some of the most important pieces of information for mosaic artists. You can use the information when doing projects for the first time. It’s a good idea to gather helpful info about mosaics especially if you’re a beginner.

Read More..