Try it out: mosaics
- Course Code: VL357
- Dates: 26/10/24 - 26/10/24
- Time: 10:00 - 17:00
- Taught: Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Vanessa Benson
Course Code: VL357
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course is a brief introduction to Mosaics. Using the direct method, you will be cutting glass and ceramic mosaic tiles, and adhering them onto a base which will be provided.
What will we cover?
• Introduction to mosaic materials and tools
• Preparing a wooden base
• Adhering mosaic materials onto a base using the direct method
• Brief outline of other techniques
• Grouting a mosaic.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Source and prepare suitable materials
• Cut materials with appropriate tools
• Prepare a wooden base
• The principles of the direct method
• How to grout a mosaic.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for complete beginners. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support your learning and for health and safety information and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught using a mix of demonstrations together with verbal explanations by the tutor and handouts to support your learning. You will make a small mosaic using the direct method. If time allows, you will grout your mosaic, or take some grout home with you following the demonstration and instructions. Examples of mosaics by students and books on mosaics will be available to view for reference.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Access to basic materials and resources are available as part of the course. Please bring a small container for taking some powdered grout home with you.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit runs Mosaic courses termly on Wednesdays and Saturdays for mixed-ability learners.
Please browse the website for upcoming courses.
General information and advice on courses at City Lit is also available from the Student Centre and Library on
Monday to Fridays from 12:00 -14:00 then 16:00 -18:00.
Vanessa Benson is an artist who lives and works in London. She trained at Camberwell School of Art in Fine Art painting. She later lived in Italy for a number of years. There, she discovered her love for the Mosaic medium, training in Ravenna and Rome, with the great advantage of working on her teachers’ commissions, thereby gaining hands-on experience in working on large-scale projects. Returning to London, Vanessa started teaching Mosaics in Further Education in a number of colleges. The collaborative potential of Mosaics then led her to run Mosaic projects in schools and local communities, as well as teach other artists working in the community to run mosaic projects. She enjoys working with people at all levels of ability. Her relationship with the materials in Mosaics, particularly stone as in classical Roman mosaics, has led her to explore other media such as sculpture and animation.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
