LESSON TWO
style, materials, texture

Now that you have your design, you are ready to decide on your colors, materials and the style in which you will execute your mosaic. This is entirely up to you, but I do have some pointers.

• Decide which materials you will be using. This could be ceramic tile, river rocks, cut glass, sea shells, mirror, glass globs, or any other non biodegradable materials that can be glued down and grouted around that you can think of. One or any combination of these materials can be used.
• That said, some materials work better than others in certain context...
• Glass should not be used in any high traffic or use area, such as countertops, walkways or benches. It can break too easily and cause a health hazard.
• Glass works wonderfully on wall mosaics to create high detail, beautiful images.
• Pay attention to the different thicknesses of your materials. A drastic difference in height may create interest, but it may also create issues when it comes to grouting. A little foresight will help you to use this feature as strategy instead of it becoming an "oops" when grouting time comes around. For example, The tiles used to make the barnacles on the whale in the Sweet Piece are thicker than the rest of the whale, thus helping to create a three dimensional effect on a two dimensional mosaic.
• River rock can add texture and earthiness to your mosaic. Depending on where it is used, it can be very effective.
• The same goes for glass globs, which look like smashed marbles.
• The use of groutlines as a design element is another option in mosaic. When you need a line but do not wish to add a different color, use a grout line.
• Mirror almost always looks great in a mosaic. It adds that little extra sparkle that makes mosaic so special.
• Have a basic idea of the colors you want, but be open minded. You will be limited to what is manufactured and available. Unlike paint, you can't mix colors to get the perfect tile.
• There is more variety in colors with glass than tile.

River Rocks used to anchor the mosaic as well as add texture	Using grout spaces to create lines
Another use of river rock	Use of mirror

TESSERAE, ANDAMENTO, AND OPUS

Tesserae are individual tiles or pieces in a mosaic. They can be any shape.
Andamento is the way in which the tesserae are arranged. It dictates the "flow" of the mosaic—the movement line of the tesserae.
Opus is the word describing the laying down of tesserae.

	Opus Regulatum When the tesserae are laid out in a regular grid—both horizontally and vertically. It is originally a Roman technique used to fill in large bacground spaces.
	Opus Tessellatum When the tesserae are laid out in an offset grid, either horizontally or vertically, resulting in a "brick wall" effect. Make sure that none of the tesserae line up across both of the rows as this will catch the eye and draw attention.
	Opus Paladianum Otherwise known as "crazy paving" this is the term used for an irregular laying down of the tesserae. In order for this technique to work well, concentrate on detail and defining lines first, and fill in the spaces after. Also, make sure that the interspaces (grout spaces) between each tile are even.
	Opus Sectile This is when one tessera forms a complete shape. If an image is made from one piece of glass, it is considered opus sectile. It can be surrounded by any number of opus, from paladianum, vermiculatum, musivum, classicum, circumatum, tesselatum or regualtum.
	Opus Vermiculatum When a section of mosaic is surrounded by tile in an aura like fashion. This technique is also good for details like hair, rivers or any time you want to create a flowing effect. It emphasizes the design and gives it a bit more of its own energy. Vermis is the latin word for worm.
	Opus Musivum When the opus vermiculatum is extended out so that the entire area is filled, this area is then referred to as the opus musivum. This gives the piece a really lively sense of movement.
	Opus Classicum This technique combines opus tessellatum or opus regulatum with opus vermiculatum. This technique creates a very strong, sharp and clear image.
	Opus Circumactum A technique for laying tesserae in fan-like patterns, usually used as a background. It creates movement and interest. This is also Roman technique.