Classical Mosaics
A 3 Day Workshop
with Helen Miles
27th, 28th & 29th June 2025
10am to 5pm
€335
Workshop Overview
A chance to take a deep dive into the ancient rules of mosaic making and find out how they apply to both classical style mosaics and contemporary work.
Andamento is the visual flow or direction within a mosaic, produced by the placement of rows of tesserae. It’s an often-forgotten part of the art of mosaic but andamento, along with the use of the Roman rules, is a crucial tool to help you learn how to make harmonious mosaics.
This course is suitable for all levels, but participants are advised to learn basic cutting techniques before attending.
We will begin with a short presentation, explaining the ideas that underpin the creation of a mosaic. You will then get familiar with the concept and practice of andamento and how to apply the classical rules through tessellated drawings and by working on a sample piece using the reverse method on paper. You will choose from a selection of pre-prepared templates and start your own mosaic using glass and ceramic tiles, working directly on Wediboard.
As you build up confidence with the classical techniques, you will explore how these ancient rules are relevant to contemporary mosaics. A second presentation will demonstrate the crossover between the two styles of work and go into greater depth about how to employ other aspects of mosaic, including spacing, cut, colour and tone to create interesting effects.
What to expect
By the end of day three you will complete and grout your first mosaic and we will have time to return to our first mosaic made on paper. Depending on the speed at which you work, these will be completed and set onto their permanent backing or left unfinished, allowing the un-tessellated sections to be part of the design.
By the end of the course, you will leave with a full understanding of how to harness the ancient rules to make striking mosaic designs. You will also know how to use two key methods for your future mosaic work, with an emphasis on creating mosaics which are suitable for all weather conditions.
Class fee includes all materials required and lunch on each day!
Accommodation available on campus - please contact us directly via email for more information and to book - info@mulrannyarts.com
About Helen
Helen Miles is a mosaic artist based in Edinburgh, UK, with over 20 years of experience in the field. She initially trained in Greece, where she learned traditional mosaic techniques from master craftsmen, focusing on Byzantine iconography. She later became interested in Roman mosaics and now her work often combines these ancient techniques with a contemporary style, resulting in finely crafted pieces for both interior and exterior spaces.
Born in Glasgow, Helen worked in America and the Middle East before moving to Thessaloniki in Greece in 2003, a UNESCO city famous for its concentration of Byzantine churches. It was while living there that she began to study mosaics which later led to a full-time profession as a mosaic artist. Helen is now based at Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios in Edinburgh. She mainly uses Winckelmans unglazed porcelain and vitreous glass tiles for her commissions but also loves to experiment with found and foraged materials including stone, single use plastics and hardware. Her aim is to preserve the simplicity and directness of early mosaics while producing works which suit the way we live now.
In addition to her mosaic practice, Helen has contributed to the field through her writing, including editing the journal Andamento for the British Association for Modern Mosaics. She published her first book, Mosaics: Ancient Techniques to Contemporary Art, in 2023, further showcasing her knowledge and passion for the medium. Helen's workshops and installations have brought her recognition across the UK and internationally.
Her work has been displayed in various locations, and she continues to engage with the mosaic art community through teaching and public speaking engagements.
