Mosaic art
Creating the ancient art form of mosaics for decorating or crafting continues to implement the use of tiles. This art form has evolved and today incorporates tools such as tile scorers, snappers and nippers as well as tiles such as vitreous or millefiori, which are colored glass made in Murano, Italy. Crafters also incorporate household items by recycling unused crockery, broken glass and floor and decorative wall tiles.
Roman Mosaic
In "The Encyclopedia of Mosaic Techniques," Emma Biggs states, "The history of mosaic seems to begin in the ancient Near East, with some of the earliest-known pieces, made with pebbles of contrasting colors, coming from Greece." The Romans continued to develop the art of mosaics by combining glass with natural materials such as stones. Biggs says, "The finest, most intricate mosaic was made in small panels.... Highly-crafted decorative panels ... are known as 'emblema.'"
Tesserae Defined
The pieces which are used to make up a mosaic design are referred to as tesserae. There are different types of tesserae, such as vitreous glass, ceramic tile, stained glass or smalti. Each medium has different characteristics which are pertinent to the application process when creating mosaic art.
Vitreous Glass
Venetian tesserae, which is also known as vitreous glass, are opaque glass tiles. They are available in pre-cut uniform sizes or in 12- by 12-inch sheets. These tiles bond well because of the smooth surface on one side and the ridged texture on the other side. The non-porous tile is economical, weather resistant and strong.
Smalti
Byzantine tesserae, referred to as smalti, is the material which was used to make Byzantine mosaics. Smalti is an enameled glass and is generally manufactured in Italy. In "Easy Mosaics For Your Home and Garden," Sarah Donnelly writes, "Large, hand-poured glass slabs are hand-cut.... The surfaces are highly reflective, faceted and pitted."
Tessellation Defined
Tessellation refers to fitting geometric shapes, such as squares and rectangles, in a pattern which is indefinitely repeated, such as checkerboard, split squares or zigzags. Simple tessellation refers to the use of one shape, such as a square. The simple pattern is changed dramatically by incorporating complementary color hues and repeating the colors interchangeably to create the illusion of a different pattern.
Molds for Concrete Mosaic Stone
You can use pre-made molds in different patterns such as a block or heart to make outdoor mosaic paving. These molds are available in different mediums such as wood, plaster and rigid plastic that you spray with a light coating of a release agent. This will ensure that the concrete is easily removable when hardened.
Grouting Mosaic Tiles
Once tile patterns are set, an even coat of grout fills in the spaces between each tile. White grout will stand out against dark colored tiles. Although color grout is available, it is economical to make your own by adding acrylic paint to the ready-mixed white grout, which comes in a tub. It is important to make a generous amount of the color grout according to the size of your project. It is challenging to repeat the exact color of your original hand-mix. Read the label of your grout prior to your purchase. Outdoor mosaics require weatherproof grout, which is resistant to moisture and frost.
