1. Mosaic
Surface decoration of small coloured components—such as stone, glass, tile, or shell—closely set into an adhesive ground.
-Retrieved Mar from
A picture or design made of tiny pieces (called tesserae) of coloured stone, glass, tile or paper adhered to a surface.
It is typically decorative work for walls, vaults, ceilings or floors, the tesserae set in plaster or concrete.
This technique was used by Romans in ancient times to decorate their villas.
-Retrieved Mar from

2. Mosaics from Ancient Civilizations…
Mosaic floor fragment, stone tesserae from Syria, 6th century ce
Greek pebble mosaic, detail from The Lion Hunt, from Pella, Macedonia, c. 300 bce.

3. Ancient Mosaics Discovered…
Accidental Discovery in Israel

4. Modern Mosaics…

5. Mosaics using Paper…
Mosaics by Mme Mazerolle’s Gr. FES.

6. TIP: Start with large, simple shapes in your design!
-mosaice work by Gr. 5 FES; Feb. 2012

7. Starting Mosaics… IDEAS & PLANS
Sketches & Ideas… use shapes to create a pattern/design OR use simple shapes to represent something (animal, plant, object…)
Plan the background too (either pattern/design, or ground/sky…)
Try several ideas before choosing your favourite!

8. Starting Mosaics…
1. Sketch Plan LIGHTLY on ‘backer’ paper that will contrast well with your tesserae colours.
Tesserae
Cut small pieces of coloured paper.
3. Arrange & glue the pieces close together to fill the space, section-by-section.

9. Starting Mosaics… TIPS… LIGHTLY draw sketch onto construction paper
Cut small pieces of coloured paper
Arrange, section-by-section, and glue into place
TIPS…
Line up edge of tesserae with the outline of your design
Position the tesserae close together, but not touching
Trim the tesserae, if necessary, to fit into position