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Opus and Andamento are the building blocks of mosaic.
They can be seen as the language, the tone of voice, or tempo. Understanding the origins and structure of the Mosaic Opera is key to developing your own style. Once you understand the basics of Classical Mosaic Opera (Andamento LEVEL 1) it's time to learn how to build in more dynamism, movement and expression. . The Level 2 Course - Dynamic Andamento teaches you structured ways to introduce more movement and volume and energy into your work through sdoppiamento (line splitting), accentuating curves, flaring and scaling your tesserae, and using contour to create volume in your mosaics. Working in predominantly one colour only, this level poses some technical challenges. The tasks encourage students to tackle the truth of their andamento skills without the comfort of colour. Colour is often used without knowledge or consideration of its elements and commonly overdone to hide the fact that the andamento doesn't actually work. A true ‘Andamento Boot Camp’, this level has been described as tricky, but in many ways it’s just as foundational to mosaic expression as Level 1. Level 2 is stage that should not be skipped in the learning mosaic journey. |
Level 2 is now being filmed and professionally produced and will be available later in 2024 via the Andamento Academy, which is the Learning Centre of the Art of Andamento.
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Andamento Level 2 - Dynamic Andamento
Unit 1: Basic sdoppiamento
Unit 2: Flared sdoppiamento
Unit 3: Spiral sdoppiamento with scaling
Unit 4: Creating volume
Unit 5: Bringing it together
Unit 6: Contemporary Cutting and Laying Technique
Unit 7: Understanding Negative Space as an Expressive Device
We will learn about each technique in four ways. 1. Theory: Looking at mosaic examples. 2. Drawing: Building visual grammar. 3. Making: Consolidating in a physical sample. 4. Integration: Bring techniques together. Allow approx. 4-8 hours of homework following each lesson. |
LEVEL 2 - Basic Materials Needed
1. Pencil, eraser, ruler, A4 paper, permanent marker 2. A4 Tracing paper pad, bulldog clip or clipboard 3. Substrate/s for samples ( MDF, wedi, ply, thick card) 4. Tesserae for samples (can be any material). 5. Cutters for your choice of tesserae 6. Adhesive for your choice of tesserae (Weldond, thinset) 7. Carbon paper, white transfer paper or a pastel pencil to trace designs onto your substrate. A word of caution about colour: This is not a class in colour and value. Please choose tesserae of roughly one hue and value. Students are discouraged from introducing value, gradation and blending in Level 2. This allows the focus to remain clearly on the andamento, which in my opinion is the most important thing in mosaic. I believe the second most important thing is 'Value'. Level 3 is a course on Colour: Hue, Value and Chroma. Which Level to take?
Enquire if this level is right for you. Which Level to take - 1, 2 or 3? I have found that in general people find Level 1 the best place to start. It's harder than you think with lots of opportunities for differentiation, modification and extension! If in doubt you can CONTACT ME with some images of your work and I will suggest what may be suitable. |
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I can thoroughly recommend the “Andamento Level 2” class. It sharpened my understanding about why some works have flow and why some do not.
It also enabled me to try out and practice the techniques in a safe non-judgemental learning environment.
It also enabled me to try out and practice the techniques in a safe non-judgemental learning environment.
Sally Zylberberg, NSW Australia
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These online classes are fantastic! Caitlin's tech set up allows you to see everything she is demonstrating. It is so clear and well organised you feel as though you are in the studio.
Dallas and Emma Price
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Sphere by Adela Webb
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'Caitlin's Andamento classes were so valuable in taking my mosaic practice to the next level. Caitlin's knowledge of mosaics is extensive, and being taught about the history of mosaics alongside examples of the various opus we were working on each week was inspirational. Drawing is not easy for me, but Caitlin guided us step by step through exercises which have given me a set of skills I can now use for future mosaic projects. I enjoyed creating samples each week that I am able to refer to when I am working on projects. Although I enjoy face to face learning, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed online classes. I was able to get more work completed online because students learn techniques together as a group, and we are able to watch Caitlin draw, cut and place materials as we work "alongside" her. I also enjoy being able to connect with students who I would not normally have the chance to interact with due to distance.'
Andrea Ketterling, NSW
