Drawing Andamenti and Tessellation for Mosaics

No drawing experience is necessary to take this class!

“Andamento” refers to the “course” or lines that tesserae are laid in to make up a mosaic. Andamento was developed in harmony with the natural way our eyes perceive form and line. In Figurative work the andamento mirrors the natural form of the subject, whereas andamento in abstract work tends to be a bit freer, however, no less important to understand in creating harmonious perception for the viewer’s eye.

This course tends to lean a bit more toward figurative andamenti, but also touches on the importance of how it can be used in contemporary and abstract mosaics as well.

Studying how to draw and plan out andamento and tessellation of mosaic lines is of great value before creating a mosaic, and, as with most disciplines, continued practice of these principles eventually becomes more 2nd-nature and really pays off in the successful expression of mosaic work.

In this course students begin by learning the principles of classical andamento through brief lecture and by studying, tracing and following one of several classical or Byzantine mosaic choices offered.

From here, students learn how to apply andamento principles to an image which is not an existing mosaic, using classical and/or contemporary sized tessellation.

Finally, students explore and apply these principles to their own personal works. Students are asked to bring in their own designs, photos, or images to work with for this exercise. Figurative, realistic, and abstract images can work. 

This is a drawing workshop and no actual mosaics are made in class. Students go home with informative handouts and all drawings that they complete along with additional images for future practice at home.

This is a class for the serious mosaic student who is ready to knuckle down, work hard and discover how the classical principles of mosaic can be of value in developing your own mosaic voice. During class, we'll be busy learning together.  Outside of class, expect the joy and camaraderie that comes from being on a great learning journey together.

MKMosaics Studio-San Francisco, CA

Drawing Andamenti and Tessellation for Mosaics

Daily-10am-4pm with 1 hr for lunch
(1st day may be a bit shorter)

Semi-private rate: $550

Private rate: $650

Register: kruzline@gmail.com

Students must show proof of Vaccination and follow CDC guidelines while in the building. This is non-negotiable.

You must be willing to wear a mask while in class.
While there are varying opinions about this, we will discuss what the group is comfortable with on the first day.
Please bring a mask and be willing to wear it if necessary; if one student is uncomfortable without masking, we all wear them.
If you are not willing to do this please do not sign up for a live class. I have online classes that will serve you better.

Ground Rules

I am big into classroom etiquette and basic manners. I am not trying to be rigid, however from experience, Over years of teaching, I have found a disturbing number of adults, my age and older, who have no problem with showing up late on a consistent and continual basis without any notification and expecting me to go back in the lessons to fill them in.  I have no tolerance for this. I understand a one-off accidental situation, but I was taught that repeated and chronic lateness (especially in a group situation) is rude and disrespectful not only to the instructor but also to the other people in the class. Additionally, with my career background in dance, if you are late, you have already been replaced.
Therefore, I set down these ground rules at the beginning so that people know what I expect and can adjust whatever habitual approach they have.
Much better to be a little early than to be late with me, and it is your responsibility to be mature enough to do so.
I consider these Ground Rules to be based on normal common manners.

• If you study with me, you need to come in with the maturity level of being disciplined, serious enough, and having the manners and responsibility to show up on time. I expect you to be on time both in the morning and after lunch and you should be committed to this. These are the times when new material is being presented, and I will be starting on time. I will not be waiting on you and I will not be going back to cover what you missed. 
  Repeated lateness is disrespectful and disregard for the rest of the class as well as the instructor, and nothing will ruin our relationship quicker than repeated lateness.
  If you are a chronically late person, this is NOT, I repeat NOT the class for you and I am not the teacher for you.
  If you repeatedly show up late, you and I will have a problem and you will probably be asked to leave and not come back. 
  

•  Please turn cellular devices to vibrate and if you take a call I expect you to take it outside.

•     Be Courteous to each other: sometimes classes can get a bit crowded; be respectful and kind.
   

•     Though I want you to have fun, I insist that you are aware that you are one student among a group of students who all have paid to be here, concentrate, and work on learning. I encourage the exchange of ideas and “cross-pollination” but during class time, dialogue and conversations are to be kept to a respectful level and length.
  If you are a person who needs a lot of social conversation while you work, this is NOT the class for you.
  Many are here to focus and constant chatter is not conducive to the work you will be doing or respectful of the work others are trying to do.
  Before and after class and at lunch time feel free to let your hair down and talk all you want.
   

• If things get out of hand I WILL say something. I have, unfortunately, had instances where I had to remove a student from class who could not take responsibility for their behavior or who could not appropriately conduct themselves for a group class. 
     

• I also have a “thing” about being interrupted while I am speaking and presenting.
  I understand it is normal for you to be excited about the new things you are learning and I am very happy about that. But please control yourself and do not interrupt.
  I encourage questions; it means you care about learning HOWEVER, I am VERY thorough and very good about checking in as I am presenting; “does that make sense? Are there any questions about that?” This is the time to ask. If I say “later please” it means I am coming to that and will answer at some point in the future of the class and you don’t need to be concerned about that at this point. There will be plenty of time to answer as many questions as I have the answers to.

Classes at MKMosaics Studio are kept to a maximum of 3 students at this time. To run, a class must have a minimum amount of 2 students unless it is a private course at a private rate.

Please do not delay in signing up. There are only 3 available spots for any course.
A rule of thumb is to be signed up at least 30 days prior to the course to facilitate acquiring necessary materials etc.
Many people come in from all over the United States for class and need to make travel arrangements.

Class is a go when the minimum amount of students sign up. 
If the minimum amount of 2 students is not met one month before the course, I will contact any student signed up to ask if they would like to pay the “private” rate and keep the class as scheduled. If the single student does not wish this, the class will be canceled and they will have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.

Deposits, Tuition, and materials fees are refundable up to 30 days before the start of the class. 

If a student cancels after 30 days before the class start date a refund will be made minus $50.00.
We will take payments for class with the last payment to be made 30 days before class. 

Please contact me at kruzline@gmail.com to make arrangements.

My studio is located in an artist’s collective called “The Point” in the Hunter’s Point Shipyard in the Bayview area of San Francisco. Though it is accessible by Public Transportation, this area takes quite a while to commute to and from, therefore it is advisable to have a car. Once registration and payment are received I will send you more detailed information about your course and how to get here.