Cover Photo: Cleo Mussi

How many times have you looked at a mosaic artwork and heard someone say, “I can do it”? While mosaic art looks easy to some, it can actually be more challenging than other classical art forms. This is because mosaic art is an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. Although most mosaics are made of small, flat, roughly square, pieces of stone or glass of different colors, It’s up to you as the artist (or mosaic art enthusiast) to break the rules, be expressive and decide what material or technique you want to use. Then you can decide if you’d like to create a geometric mosaic, ( in the style of the Greek and Roman mosaics), figurative mosaics, or if you’d like to express yourself through a contemporary mosaic artwork!

Step 1: Select The Medium

First step? Select your favorite medium! Before you actually start building your mosaic artwork, you should select the medium you wish to include in your project. Your medium can range from glass, natural stones, porcelain, seashells, or anything that can be cut into small parts. You will also want to gather together and cut any objects you might want to use!

Step 2: Plan and Sketch Your Design

Did you pick marble or shiny glass stones? Ok, so now it’s time to plan and sketch the mosaic that you want to create! First measure the size of your wall, floor, or any area that you wish to adorn. After you select the style and theme of your design, you may find graph or grid paper helpful for keeping everything in proportion.

Step 3: Outline On The Mesh

Now that you have selected the material and right after you choose the design and finish sketching on paper, use chalk to plot it out on the mesh or area that you want to mosaic. According to many mosaicists, One of the most interesting things about making a mosaic on the mesh is that you create any shape you like. Put your design on the mesh and tape it down at the corners, then the mesh on top, and make sure to secure the edges.

Step 4: Chop, Dice, or Mince Your Tiles

Isn’t it time to chop, dice or mince the tiles? I think this is my favorite part of the mosaic process! Here comes the question, what tool should I use to cut which material? If your selected medium is stone, marble or porcelain a Compound Tile Nipper is recommended. You can also use a Tile Nipper for ceramic tile and china, but make sure to smooth the sharp edges with a rubbing stone. But if you want those shiny smalti or stained glass, think of a wheeled Mosaic Glass Cutter. Check this website for more info about mosaic art supplies!

Step 5: It’s Adhesive Time!

Finally, it’s adhesive time! If you’re applying your mosaics directly on the area you wish to mosaic spread the tile adhesive over a small area and start drawing the design again with your tiles. However, if you’re gluing on the mesh instead, make sure to apply enough glue needed to fix every individual tile ( Don’t apply so much, to avoid glue squish around the sides). Be sure to clean off the excess adhesive from the surface of tiles before it has a chance to dry.

Step 6: Allow The Adhesive to Cure

Now that your tiles are stuck in place, you will need to allow them time to dry! Using tile grout to fill the gaps in between the tiles is optional. If you decided to grout your mosaic, make sure to use a sponge of scrapper to polish the surface of the mosaic and remove any grout from the upper part of the tile.

Now that you followed all the steps and done everything right, you will have your own mosaic artwork! You are now an artist. Keep making mosaic art!

Need further assistance in crafting your mosaic artwork, or selecting your material? Get in touch, and I’ll be happy to help!

Have a mosaic story to share? Whether humorous or horrific, let us know in the comment box below!

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