Develop your creativity in mosaic design using different ceramic and glass tiles. You will learn techniques for laying, grouting and cutting tiles into tesserae. Learn about the wonderful craft of making mosaics and create a unique piece of art, using colourful glass and ceramic tiles.

You will design and make a mosaic, either A3: 30 x 42cm, 30 x 30 cm or A4: 30 x 21 cm in area. The size is limited to ensure you can complete your design by the end of the course.

The tutor will cover numerous techniques to help your understanding of mosaic design, with a focus on the direct mosaic technique used to create your design. This method allows you to see your design as you add the pieces. Grouting techniques are also covered.

The tutor will bring a great selection of materials to use, including Venetian and Mexican smalti, millefiori, vitreous glass and ‘Cinca’ unglazed ceramic tesserae, as well as the tutor’s handmade glass fusions, millefiori and murrini.

The course includes demonstrations and individual one-to-one tuition, ensuring you go home fully inspired and equipped to continue to make mosaics at home. Substrates provided will be suitable for indoor use only, however, guidance will be given as to how to make the finished piece suitable for outdoor use if you would like to do so after the course has finished.

Included

The college will supply the MDF and glue and some equipment for you to use during the course, including scissors, mosaic tile nippers, dustpan and brush, safety glasses, etc.

What students need to bring

• Please bring your inspiration and reference material with you. This could be a drawing of your own, an image taken from your favourite book or greetings card, or even a piece of wrapping paper. Ideally, this should be blown up to the same size as your chosen mosaic size.
• It is essential that you bring one, or ideally two, design ideas for your mosaic. Your design should be simple and preferably in black and white. You can bring other reference material with you for colours, etc. You will need two copies of each design, so please bring them along, or you can photocopy them at the College.
• A notebook /sketchbook, pencils and a digital camera (if available)
• Work clothes – preferably an apron
• Enclosed toe footwear (essential)

Available to buy

Available from shop: A good variety of art and craft materials, including sketchbooks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rubbers, aprons, etc.

Available from tutor: The tutor will provide glass and ceramic mosaic materials – please pay him before the end of the course by cash, cheque or Paypal.

Prices range from £18 per kg for unglazed, ceramic tiles and for vitreous glass to £35 per kg for Venetian Smalti glass. It is therefore difficult to give a specific cost for a project.

1kg of vitreous glass/unglazed ceramic tiles covers an area of A3 in size or 500g covers an area of A4 in size, with no allowance for wastage. It is therefore possible to make a small mosaic for as little as £9.

Smalti requires 17kg to cover 1sq metre. 2kg would cover 1square foot.

Millefiori £12 per 100g and the tutor’s handmade infusions £20 per 100g (100g of fusions covers an area approximately equal to a postcard.)

Please note: material prices constantly change, so these prices are not guaranteed.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential

Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am

Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required

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