Mosaic Workshop [Paperback]

Emma Biggs (Author), Tessa Hunkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

In 24 colorful, stylish projects for home and garden, Mosaic Workshop offers a complete course in mosaic design and technique. For both novices and those more experienced, featuring 20 templates and 200 color photos.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The ancient decorative art of mosaic is, today, increasingly appreciated for the beauty it can bring to the home, both inside and out. Now, Mosaic Workshop shows how the complete beginner can learn to transform a variety of everyday objects, from tables to picture frames. Beginning with a brief history of mosaic, each chapter focuses on a different aspect of design and technique, including color, laying, contrast, texture, pattern, and movement. These aspects are then beautifully demonstrated in 24 original projects, with designs that incorporate an array of motifs, from fish, birds, and animals to fruit and abstract designs. Basic techniques are skillfully explained and illustrated, and there are ideas for a variety of applications, such as splashbacks, showers, floors, and walls. Complete with 200 color photos as well as templates, the book builds chapter by chapter into a complete course in mosaics. Whether you want to embellish a picture frame or transform an entire wall, Mosaic Workshop will guide and inspire every step of the way.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570762430
• ISBN-13: 978-1570762437
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,130,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You can never have too many mosaic books!, June 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mosaic Workshop (Hardcover)

Wow - this is an amazing book that explores colour, tone, texture and technique in sufficient detail with great photos to match. Excellent for inspiration and learning the finer points of the mosaic art but not really suited for beginners. It only loses a star because the format is not the easiest to follow even though it is well laid out, and at first glance, it doesn't appear to be a workbook. But mosaic afficienados should really include this book on their "must-have" list, if not for the photos alone. Definitely recommended.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very impressive, August 21, 2002

By 

S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mosaic Workshop (Hardcover)

I have acquired quite a few mosaic books and written reviews for them on Amazon, and although all of them are useful to some extent, this mosaic book has really impressed me! There are many photos of absolutely gorgeous mosaic designs which follow a more traditional style, using only tiles and not other objects such as rocks, shells, marbles, etc., like you find in some mosaic books. The designs are exquisite in color and workmanship as well. There are many "gallery" items which are examples of professional work, and there are quite a few featured projects with a form of instructions called "Method Tips" which, rather than giving explicit step-by-step instructions, give instructions with advice, suggestions and options for color, materials, positioning, etc. Because of this, and because the designs are rather sophisticated and complex, this is not a mosaic book for beginners. However, truly motivated beginners could get started trying out a couple of the simpler projects.

Besides the gorgeous designs, this book is impressive in its extensive teaching about design, light, color, contrast, background, and several methods of laying mosaic. I get the feeling I'm in the hands of a skillful and professional mosaicist, and that this is a book to be studied to gain useful insight for building my own skills. These are not designs for someone to quickly throw together; rather this book is an excellent resource for serious mosaicists.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gets better with each reading..., January 5, 2005

By 

book worm - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mosaic Workshop (Paperback)

As a relatively new mosaicist, I own several hardcover books by the well-known international artists. This is becoming my favorite. I often go to it to revisit a certain technique, or mosaic for inspiration or review, just to find myself rereading whole sections. When you are working on a new project, the perspective with which you read changes to accomodate the current work. The data on the page is the same, but you synthesize it in a new way. Because there is so much depth to the design aspects in this book, its like reading a new book each time. If I had to pick just one of my current books, this would be it.