THE CLASSICAL RULES OF MOSAIC MAKING | Make mosaics like the Romans

A step-by-step guide to the classical rules (or principles) of mosaic making.

Enjoy this comprehensive guide to mastering the classical rules of mosaic making which takes you through the essential principles behind this ancient form of artistic expression.

Join me as I explore the fundamentals of classical mosaic making, from avoiding grids to using keystones and employing the line split or sdoppiamento. Learn the rules that underly the making of a successful classical style mosaic.

Follow these clear instructions, backed up by examples from Roman mosaics, to master the essential ways of making mosaics that have visual harmony. Discover the secrets of considered placement and cuts to bring your vision to life with professional finesse.

Whether you're a seasoned mosaic artist looking to refine your skills or a beginner eager to explore a new creative outlet, this tutorial offers invaluable insights and practical tips to elevate your craft.

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring tutorials on art and craftsmanship. Let's embark on this artistic journey together!

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00:00 Introduction
00:39 No grids, straight lines or crosses
01:50 Consistent size
02:17 Exceptions to the consistency rule
02:45 Consistent spacing
03:16 Using keystones
03:49 Using triangles
05:12 Line splitting/sdoppiamento
06:18 Outline the main features/s

[christinemareeyoung]

Helen. your videos have a focus and clarity akin to the many elements of a mosaic masterwork. Your instructional design embodies the same methods of structure and flow as mosaic. Thank you for the effort, knowledge, skill, and experience you are so willing to share. Respect from Sydney, Australia.

[ratafruity]

I really want to start doing mosaics this year, this is very helpful to know!!

[elrey]

My goal is to renovate my bathroom with a mosaic of aquatic and graphic motifs found on Minoan vases and Kamares ware. I think these general rules are very useful regardless of the style being used. Thanks.

[JayesunSherman]

This was such a heartwarming video and we learned enough to satisfy our thirst for education.

[Trassel]

What an interesting and inspiring video! I’ve become interested in knitting, pixel art and I’ve always had a fondness for mosaics and how they look. The common denominator between knitting in patterns and pixel art is that it’s about using small pieces to create an image (knitting stitches in different colours, pixels in different colours).

[matijasteficar]

This is the type of videos I simply love, my dad was a tilesetter and he took me with him few times to work when I was in 7-8th grade. I saw a dolphin on the bottom of swimming pool and I knew that is what I want to do. Finished construction schools as stone & ceramic tile installer in 2000, loved working but always wanted to expand my knowledge. After few years I joined with sto e mason in my country (Croatia) who showed me how to work with stone, stairs, floors, pillars and many gravestones, even how to carve simple shapes and finish things like scrolls. Now it's time to expand my knowledge and experience again. This time something more chaotic than modern stone & ceramic tiles. This video helps with breaking my geometric mind, and I thank you for that. I just hope that before I retire, there will be someone younger eager to learn, someone I can pass all my experience onto. Great video 👏

[rzeka]

This is awesome. I love learning about how ancient people made stuff.

[williambo]

deceptively simple. everything was conscience and done with natural skill

[tonmarinaxxzz]

You are without exception the best instructor on YouTube. Excellent voice, only necessary instruction without the annoying chitchat so many other YouTubers use. I would love to try my hand at mosaics. I have sheets of glass when I dabbled in stained glass and wonder if that can be used to create mosaics. Actually it is like a fortune in glass. I love how you have segmented the lessons to address the basic to advanced steps. Your enunciation is perfect as so many YouTubers mumble and to 90 year old ears it is delightful to be able to understand you perfectly. Thank you for these wonderful tutorials.

[wolfgang]

This is answering so many questions I had! Thank you for making this, the graphic elements are extremely helpful!

[giovanniantonielli]

Greetings from Brazil, excellent content

[MonoFrutti]

Great content. Could you recommend a book that has an A to Z tutorial in this fashion?