Mosaic

:This article is about a decorative art. See Mosaic (disambiguation) for other meanings.

Mosaic technique

There are three main methods of creating mosaics. They are commonly referred to as the "direct method" of mosaic construction and the "indirect method" of mosaic construction, and the "double indirect method" of mosaic construction.

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Direct method

The direct method of mosaic construction involves directly placing (gluing) the individual tesserae onto the supporting surface. This method is well suited to surfaces which have a 3 dimensional quality such as vases.

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The direct method suits small projects which are transportable. Another advantage of the direct method is that the resulting mosaic is progressively visible allowing for any adjustments to tile placing or colours to be done immediately.

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The disadvantage of the direct method is that the artist must work directly at the chosen surface which is often not practical for long periods of time. It is unsuitable for large scale projects. Also, it is difficult to control the evenness of the finished surface. This is of particular importance when creating a functional surface such as a floor or a table top.

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If such qualities are important in the finished mosaic surface, then a look at the indirect method of mosaic construction may be useful.

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However, a modern version of the direct method, sometimes called "Double Direct" is to work direct onto fibreglass mesh. The mosaic can then be constructed the right way up and then transported to its final place. Large work can be done in this way, with the mosaic being cut up for shipping and then put back together for installation. It also enables the artist to work in comfort in a studio rather than at the site of installation.

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Indirect method

The indirect method of applying tesserae is often used for very large projects with repetitive elements. Tiles are applied upside down to an adhesive backing paper, and later transferred onto walls or floors, or even craft projects. This method is most useful for mosaics with simple or geometric patterns, solid blocks of colour, and extremely large projects. Mosaic tabletops are usually made using the indirect method, as it results in a more smooth and even surface. The method has never been considered suitable for domes, as the properties of a curved wall make it ideal for taking advantage of lighting conditions to make mosaics look more lifelike, more artistic.

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Double indirect method

The double indirect method is often used when it is important to see the work during the creation process as it will appear when completed. The tesserae are placed face-up on a medium (often adhesive-backed paper or sticky plastic) as it will appear when installed. When the mosaic is complete, a similar medium is placed atop it. The piece is then turned over, the original underlaying material is removed, and the piece is installed as in the indirect method described above.

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Both indirect and double-indirect methods are often performed in sections, allowing extremely large projects such as murals to be completed off-site and transported to their ultimate destination without recourse to large trucks.

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"Tilings" can lead to complicated mathematical problems; please refer to tessellation for details. A renowned mathematician who has recently associated himself with tiling problems is Roger Penrose, namesake of "Penrose tilings".

Related Topics:
Tessellation - Roger Penrose - Penrose tiling

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