More mosaics
Time: 10:00 - 17:00
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: VL365
- Dates: 02/11/24 - 07/12/24
- Time: 10:00 - 17:00
- Taught: Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Vanessa Benson
Course Code: VL365
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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?
- To develop practical skills in making mosaics using the direct, Indirect or double indirect methods What students liked most about this course run in 2015/16: "Option to work in a totally new way. Exceptional support and guidance from the tutor."
- To develop creative skills associated with making mosaics
- To develop visual sensitivity with regard to the tactile values and surface texture of mosaics
- To consider the 3 dimensional potential of the direct method, from relief work to sculpture
- To develop greater proficiency in the use of mosaic materials and tools.
" Great seeing everyone's style and project ideas. Good variety of skills and support."
What will we cover?
The course allows students to work on a personal project using the direct, indirect, or double indirect method. The processes will involve preparing designs based on students’ own ideas and source materials, and developing the work in the chosen method. Emphasis will be placed on improving technical skills and exploring textural and surface qualities. Application onto non-flat surfaces and relief work will be encouraged, bases for these may be bought in or made out of concrete in the class (dimensions limited). Processes for larger projects outside of the classroom such as mosaic murals will be outlined.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Complete a mosaic on your own using the direct, indirect or double indirect methods
- Explore a range of pictorial devices in the mosaic medium
- Demonstrate the process of critical self-appraisal
- Gain competence at processing visual material and generating ideas for further projects.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is ideally for students who have had some experience in making mosaics. However, beginners are also welcome. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support your learning, and for health and safety information, and will be encouraged to take part in group discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Group demonstrations, practical work on individual projects, informal group discussions, slides and books, individual tuition and discourse other student’s projects.
This course is supported by Google Classroom, as a Virtual Learning Environment. When you log on you will be able to access course material, presentations and handouts. You will be asked to complete learner progress records. You can find help via the student help centre on the City Lit website.
Please note it is important that you sign up and log in to your course Google classroom prior to the first session. Joining details will be sent to you via email (check your junk/spam folder).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
A selection of books on mosaics will be at the students’ disposal during the course. A materials allowance is included in the course fee which will cover most of what is required on the course. Students will be required to bring in their own bases if needed, but may wish to discuss this in the first lesson to make an informed choice (casting in concrete will not require a base). Students who would like to use smalti glass or a fair amount of vitreous tiles (a limited amount of the latter will be available on the course), or other materials should bring their own. Suitability of materials will be advised in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You are welcome to join mosaics courses again for an opportunity to experiment and develop your skills further, and to build up confidence to take on site-specific projects. Please browse the website to view our 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.
