How To Get Started in Mosaic Art
Mosaics have been around for over 4,000 years and have inspired artists everywhere. A mosaic piece of art is made by assembling small pieces of colored glass, stone, ceramics, or other materials. If you enjoy puzzles and love color, this may be your passion. It is definitely mine.
To dabble with mosaics, I recommend getting a starter kit from Mosaic Art Supply and a backer board from Skeew. The starter kit contains high-quality tools, 300 glass mosaic tiles, Wellbond glue, grout, and safety glasses. Mosaic Art Supply also offers resources for beginners, including instructions, examples of mosaic art, a how-to mosaic blog, and a listing of mosaic art classes.
One of the best ways to learn is to find a nearby mosaic class or workshop, or travel to attend one. The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) offers a workshop and instructor listing to assist in identifying a class that may work for you. A Google search for mosaic classes in your area may also yield a good place to start. Many mosaic studios offer open studio time where you can work on your projects when it’s convenient for you.
Another fantastic way to get comprehensive instruction at your own pace, is to invest in a beginner mosaic online course. I highly recommend Yulia Hanansen’s Stained Glass Mosaics for Beginners course. Yulia has over 20 years experience teaching and making mosaics, and her course is invaluable. For a fun and different style of mosaic art, I also recommend Debra Mager’s Jeweled Mosaics course. Debra is a talented mosaic artist who offers both in-person workshops and online courses. She is based near Asheville, NC and has a colorful, inspiring studio and a patient, creative teaching style.
Once you have a bit of practice cutting glass and grouting, you may enjoy taking my online course on how to create a contemporary round glass mirror. Tapered glass is a beautiful way to showcase stunning glass colors and patterns. This step-by-step course will walk through planning, substrate frame selection, designing, cutting and layout, grouting, and the finishing touches. The result will be an elegant mirror to hang in your home.
Mosaic Arts Online also has a plethora of mosaic classes, many of which dive deep into mosaic styles and applications. I have taken and recommend Layered Mosaics and Flower Mosaics, both by Yulia Hanansen.
In the words of poet and diplomat Abhay Kumar, “There is no greater joy in life than the joy of creating something.” So, here’s to creativity, trying something new, and enjoying this inspiring art.
