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Mosaic art brings small pieces together to create something extraordinary. Artists arrange coloured materials such as stone, glass, ceramic, shells or tiles into pictures, patterns and designs. These pieces, called tesserae, create texture and can catch the light in beautiful ways.
In this lesson series, we’ll explore the work of local artists and create our own paper mosaics. To finish the term, we’ll bring our ideas together to make art that celebrates who we are as a school.
Have you seen the artwork done by our local community? You can see it at MAC.
MAC yapang Pathways Project
MAC yapang Pathways Project
Wreath of Nikinpa - Kawumalyikilba - Awabakal gathering place
Describe the artwork represented.
Describe the artwork represented.
What can you see? Why?
What can you see? Why?
What could it tell us?
What could it tell us?
Artwork name: Cultural Diversity
Artwork name: Cultural Diversity
Lesson 1: What is a Mosaic?
Lesson 1: What is a Mosaic?
Define the following words:
Define the following words:
- Mosaic
- Tesserae
Add a little picture for each word.
Add a little picture for each word.
Find an example of a Mosaic from each:
Find an example of a Mosaic from each:
Such as Scotland, Iran, England, India, Asia, China, Japan
What makes a good mosaic?
What makes a good mosaic?
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
LEGO Mosaic
LEGO Mosaic
Make a LEGO mosaic.
Make a LEGO mosaic.
How did you make it? Why?
How did you make it? Why?
Why did you build it as you have?
Why did you build it as you have?
What was your inspiration?
What was your inspiration?
Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí was a Spanish architect and designer, born June 25, 1852 in Reus, Catalonia, Spain. He is known as the father of modernist architecture, he was inspired by natural forms, bright colors in nature, and he avoided straight lines in his designs. He also pioneered the Trencar technique of mosaic using broken pieces of tiles, which he then extensively in his Park Güell project.
Lesson 2: Using line to tell a story.
Lesson 2: Using line to tell a story.
Paper Mosaic
Paper Mosaic
Creating 8 Bit Mosaic Art
Creating 8 Bit Mosaic Art
Convert your images to pixels using this webstie
Select an image
Select an image
Pick a simple image to input into the Image to Pixel Art program. Images should be simple, with white backgrounds and easily identifiable shapes.
Increase Pixel size
Increase Pixel size
Adjust the pixels til you are happy with the shape of your image. Adjusting contrast and saturation can help with visualising what colours you need for the paper mosaic.
Masaic vs Collage
Masaic vs Collage
Collage: Uses pieces of varying sizes, shapes, and weights that often overlap, interpose, or superimpose.
Collage: Uses pieces of varying sizes, shapes, and weights that often overlap, interpose, or superimpose.
Mosaic: Uses small, uniformly sized pieces (called tesserae) placed closely together or set with grout gaps to build a unified design.
Mosaic: Uses small, uniformly sized pieces (called tesserae) placed closely together or set with grout gaps to build a unified design.
Breaking down the process!
Breaking down the process!
Step 1: Pick a photo
Step 1: Pick a photo
A. Keep your photo simple!
B. Pick an animal, fruit or flower!
C. Save the image to your desktop.
Step 2: Edit the photo
Step 2: Edit the photo
Step 3: Draw your image
Step 3: Draw your image
A. Draw the image.
B. Add a grid to help you.
C. Keep the drawing simple.
Step 4: Use Colour!
Step 4: Use Colour!
A. Pick your colour! Consider a real colour pallet or something oppisite to normal.
B. Cut the colour to add details.
C. Fill the whole image!
Your success will look like:
Your success will look like:
A. A thoughtful design that forms a clear, unified image.
A. A thoughtful design that forms a clear, unified image.
B. Careful cutting, arranging, and placing of each tessera.
B. Careful cutting, arranging, and placing of each tessera.
C. Neat gluing, with no visible glue.
C. Neat gluing, with no visible glue.
D. The entire background is covered with tesserae.
D. The entire background is covered with tesserae.
E. Small tesserae used to create details and define shapes.
E. Small tesserae used to create details and define shapes.
Student work from 5D
Student work from 5D
Lesson 2: Upcycled ART
Lesson 2: Upcycled ART
Recycled Mosaic
Recycled Mosaic
We’ll create a mosaic using recycled materials like plates, glass, plastic, tiles, and ceramics. Start collecting and bringing in items we can use to create our recycled artwork.
We will create our own mosaic artworks using upcycled plastics, broken tiles, glass and other recycled materials. We will finish each artwork with grout to bring the pieces together.
Our class’s artworks will be photographed for display, and each student will take their individual artwork home.
Recycled Plastic
Recycled Plastic
Broken Tiles
Broken Tiles
Breaking down the process!
Breaking down the process!
Step 1: Pick a photo
Step 1: Pick a photo
A. Keep your photo simple!
B. Pick an animal, fruit or flower!
C. Print the image.
Step 2:
Step 2:
A. Trace the image to your background.
B. Select your tesserae to make your image. Fill the outline.
C. Show a teacher your design before moving on.
D. Store all your items ready for glueing.
Note: You will need to select your tesserae to fit your image. This will require breaking the materials to fit your desing. Take your time to plan the design. Safety: Use eye cover.
Step 3: Adhesive
Step 3: Adhesive
A. Measure the adhesive and the water.
B. Mix it!
C. Wait 5 minutes to let it sit.
D. The adhesive is only good for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Glueing
Step 4: Glueing
A. Spread the adhesive evenly (4 mm).
B. Place the tiles into the glue.
C. Fill the edges with adhesive.
D. Let the work dry. Place your work on the drying rack.
E. Clean up!
Step 5: Grouting
Step 5: Grouting
A. Measure the grout and the water.
B. Mix it!
C. Wait 5 minutes to let it sit.
D. Cover the mosaic and wipe clean with a wet spunge.
E. Let it dry.
F. Clean up!
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