Learn how to create an organic mountain landscape scene Â
This project is ideal for anyone who wants to develop their skills in working with organic materials, particularly slate.Â
Through a series of pre-recorded instructional videos and practical demonstrations you’ll be guided step-by-step through the process of preparing materials and making a slate mountain landscape mosaic. Â
In this course you will learn how toÂ
- Cut and prepare a range of materials including slate, glass and porcelain tile
- Work with tile adhesive
- Prepare your substrate and add a hanging system
- Plan out your design
- Set your materials in different ways to create different surfaces and effects
- Create two different landscape designs
A simple, step-by-step process
There are three main stages to the landscape project. Â
1: Prepare your mountain
You’ll be shown techniques for breaking and shaping a piece of slate to feature as the mountain in your mosaic. You can use a single piece of slate or combine several pieces together to form a mountain range.Â
2: Decide on the foreground
You’ll learn how to create a wildflower meadow as well as a mountain lake with a shoreline. You can choose which you want to make, and can even add in features of your own. Whichever option you go for, you’ll be shown various ways to combine and set your materials to create gorgeous textured surfaces.
3: Create the sky
You’ll discover a number of options for creating the sky in your mosaic. Will you create a warm sunset/sunrise, or opt for a calming night sky?
Different material options
The main material used in this course is slate. You’ll learn where to source it from, how to prepare it and different ways to use it. However, slate works really well when combined with other materials so you’ll learn about adding options like glass and porcelain tile to your mosaic.Â
The emphasis is on using materials you like and have access to, rather than using exactly the same materials as the ones in the practical demonstrations. The course covers options for using a number of alternatives so even if you can’t find one particular material, you can still complete your project by using something else.
Student work and testimonials
"This course is full of knowledge and experience. It made me feel confident in the subject. Lots of wonderful information. "
Debra
"This course is so informative! Rachel gives excellent instruction on the basics of preparing to make the mosaic as well as design ideas. Her visuals and camera work on the creation of the landscapes are really clear. She offers many tips that can be used again and again."
Charlotte
"Rachel Davies is the best mosaic teacher I have ever taken a class from. She is clear and concise in her teaching methods. I highly recommend this course!"
Maureen
"This is an amazing course with a wealth of information!"
Cheryl
"Great information for cutting slate/glass and the various tessera you come across."
Lenore
"The course is terrific in that it’s very thorough and thoughtful, and appropriate for any experience level."
Sherrie
Course Details
- Over four hours worth of pre-recorded videos that guide you through every step of the process.
- Resources list provided, helping you find everything you need for your mosaic.
- Watch me work in real time on two different mosaics, giving you plenty of opportunity to see how everything is put into practice.
- Lifetime access to the course, which means you can take things at your own pace, watching as many times as you like, whenever you like.
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Opportunity to ask questions in the comments sections, ensuring you have all the information you need.
The course is divided into short sections, making it easy to find all the information you need.
View the list of resources PDF and watch the introduction by clicking the buttons below.
- Splitting slate tiles (4:59)
- Splitting foraged slate (5:37)
- Breaking up slate: introduction (1:18)
- Breaking up slate with a hammer (2:30)
- Breaking up slate with a hammer and brick (1:42)
- Breaking up slate with a hammer and hardie (1:35)
- Splitting slate rods (2:48)
- Shaping slate (9:06)
- Cutting glass tile and smalti (3:00)
- Cutting porcelain tile (4:23)
- Cutting stained glass (1:21)
- Making the mosaic: Trimming the key pieces to size (3:41)
- Making the mosaic: Sticking down the key elements (7:15)
- Making the mosaic: Starting on the water with slate rods (8:23)
- Making the mosaic: Continuing on the water (close angle) part 1 (2:57)
- Making the mosaic: Continuing on the water (close angle) part 2 (4:52)
- Making the mosaic: Continuing on the water (adjusting glass pieces) (8:00)
- Making the mosaic: Continuing on the water (shaping the shoreline) (8:52)
- Making the mosaic: Starting on the shoreline (7:02)
- Making the mosaic: Working on the shoreline (close angle) (3:39)
- Making the mosaic: Finishing the shoreline (7:31)
- Making the mosaic: Working on the sky (9:50)
- Making the mosaic: Completing the sky (3:30)
- Making the mosaic: Finishing the edges (2:26)
- Image of the finished mosaic
- Making the mosaic: Planning the design (5:07)
- Making the mosaic: Sticking down key elements (10:12)
- Making the mosaic: Working on the meadow (close angle) (8:19)
- Making the mosaic: Adding the rest of the foreground (8:49)
- Making the mosaic: Starting on the sky (8:59)
- Making the mosaic: Working on the sky (close angle) (5:59)
- Making the mosaic: Finishing off the edges (2:37)