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By Steve, June 29, 2010

Mosaic Glass Art: Tesserae Size and Texture

Make wonderful art glass mosaic tile is easy! I'll teach you how.

I've found that tesserae size is nearly as important as andamento in creating the desired look and feel of a mosaic. For example, a background made in regulatum 1/4-inch opus looks and feels completely different from the same pattern done with 3/4-inch tesserae. Typical tesserae sizes are: 3/4-inch x 3/4-inch (tile, for example, flint glass square) 3/4-inch x 3/8-inch (eg, rectangular smalti); 3/8-inch x 3/8-inch (eg, manufactured 3/8-inch square peg flint glass or vitreous squares hand cut into 3/4-inch four squares of equal size), 3/16-inch x 3/16-inch or less (ie, for the projects known as "Mosaic of micro") free forms of different sizes of cut sheets of colored glass.

By using less than I prefer 3/4-inch squares hand cut. The result of irregular sides increase the feeling of the joints. Because he has hand-cut tesserae jagged lines, gaskets are also irregular rather than the precise lines obtained by using tiles made vitreous.

Try using colored glass for large pieces of tiles to create their centers coordination. For example, suppose the main focal point of a sunflower 6-inch diameter (including that of the petals). You can make the head diameter 4 inches with a single piece of stained glass, the individual petals rectangular pieces of 1 inch, and individual sheets using 3-inch pieces. Then, when all focal points are in place, complete the mosaic with a background done in 3/8-inch vitreous squares hand cut tiles in regulatum opus.

As with many things in life, size matters, so put some thought into the size of the tiles of the coordination centers, funds, and borders.

Different thicknesses of tiles capture and reflect light to produce beautiful effects. Create texture and depth by combining different types of tiles, as smalti, vitreous glass, marble and stones. However, make sure your work piece texture. For example, if you are making a mosaic table, the surface must be flat and tesserae different thicknesses not work.

Be careful, because it is not easy to get the right mix of types and thicknesses of tiles. In the wrong view, variable thickness shadows that can ruin the look of mosaic. Planning is important. Before choosing their types and thicknesses of tiles, think about where to display their tiles and temperature conditions light. Will it be displayed in direct sunlight or in a dark hallway? Does the light source directly overhead or be on the side or bottom?

The reason I am not interested in leading the integration of the texture in my mosaic grout is that it is a challenge. Grout spacing is critical to create the texture tiles. The grout should be enough space for the natural slope of the tiles highest to lowest tiles. Otherwise, the work of the grout may seem terribly neglected.

With good planning, patience and attention to detail when grouting, results from incorporating texture can be wonderful. Without them, the results can be disastrous.

Remember, making Mosaic Art is easy. You can do it. Yes, you can!

About the Author

Bill Enslen has created beautiful mosaic art for 30 years. His new eBook, Mosaic Pieces: Essentials for Beginner and Professional Mosaic Artists, gives you step-by-step details for creating your own mosaic masterpieces. Visit his website and read the free sample chapters at Glass Mosaic Tile Art. Let him show you just how easy it is. With Bill’s help, you can do it. Yes, you can!

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