Читать книгу Garden Mosaics - Emma Biggs - Страница 6

Mosaic is a fascinating and distinctive form of art and decoration. It has a long and glorious history that is still visible in the great mosaics of the Classical and Byzantine worlds, and their remarkable preservation is evidence of the durability and permanence of mosaic art. These same qualities make it an ideal technique for use in outdoor situations where other art forms, such as painting or ceramics, would quickly fade and crumble. This book aims to provide all the information necessary to make outdoor mosaics that will survive the challenges of the weather and add interest and delight to the garden. Mosaics can be used to decorate areas of paving and paths, or to add color to walls throughout the year, complementing the surrounding plants in summer and providing a visual focus during the dull, bare days of winter. Mosaic can also be used to great effect on three-dimensional objects, such as seats, pots, and sculptures.

The book is arranged around a series of step-by-step projects that offer a wide variety of applications and techniques. There are simple projects suitable for complete beginners, as well as more complex ones to inspire and stretch those with previous experience. The projects also illustrate a diverse range of design approaches, demonstrating how different mosaic materials can be arranged and combined to create both abstract effects and representational images. The initial design of a piece is very important and should aim to make the most of all the interesting and unique possibilities of mosaic – color, texture, laying, and grouting. The information and advice given in the projects on these subjects is also intended to help readers create successful designs for their own mosaic pieces. The different techniques described in the projects are clearly demonstrated with detailed advice about how to make a mosaic weatherproof and long lasting, and this technical information can also be applied to readers’ own designs. There is also a comprehensive chapter at the front of the book that brings together all the vital information on materials, tools, and techniques, providing an indispensable source of reference for all the practical aspects of making mosaics for the garden.