LEVEL 8 : FOCUS ON FORM
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCULPTURAL FORM FOR MOSAIC
In my opinion, this is where things really start to get exciting!
This level channels my personal passion.. Sculptural Mosaic!
In this level, students will learn strategies to explore, develop, evaluate and construct sculptural forms for mosaic.
This level will benefit those who are interested in broadening their practice to include sculpture.
This course does not include the application of mosaic to the substrate, although this is discussed and considered throughout.
PART B of this level addresses the application of tesserae to dimensional surfaces.
Students select from three sculptural formats.
FREE STANDING FORM
A Free Standing form supports itself without any additional props, stands or wires.
This form is read from 180º.
PEDESTAL & ROD
This format requires an internal housing or conduit which then slides down over a rod which elevates from a supporting base.
This form is read from 360º.
WALL HANGING RELIEF
A Relief Wall hanging form hangs on a wall and comes forward in space.
This form is read from 180º.
In this level I invite you to think differently about Sculptural Mosaic, where the development of the form is as much a consideration as the mosaic which is later applied to it.
In sculptural mosaic, the form and the tesserae must energetically connect and work together to convey the artist’s intention. The two elements are co-dependent and intrinsically linked and for a successful outcome the sculptural form itself must be valid.
Many mosaicists have well developed skills in the creative and technical aspects of mosaic, however many lack training and skills in sculpture and conceptual development.
WORKSHOP FEE: $700 AUD (includes $100 materials fee)
DEPOSIT: $250 AUD
BALANCE: $450 AUD
HYBRID FORMAT
Preparatory Online Lesson + 2.5 Day In Person Workshop
PREPARATION ZOOM Wednesday: 30th July (6pm – 7.30pm)
DESIGN PROPOSALS DUE Sunday: 17th August
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP ADELAIDE, SA, AU
Ripples ArtShed, Campbelltown
Friday 5th, Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th September 2025
HOST: Kristin Wohlers
COURSE STRUCTURE
PREPARATION & PLANNING ZOOM (90 minutes)
Prior to the course, students work with Caitlin to develop a concept and design for their sculpture.
Students connect via Zoom for an initial lesson and to get the design process underway. They then develop their idea, collect inspirational imagery and develop a sketch for submission.
This step helps manage expectation about what is achievable in the workshop timeframe. It also helps Caitlin to prepare the correct materials for all students.
This session also familiarises students with a Sculptural terms Illustrated in Mosaic through a Visual Glossary.
DAY 1: (3 hrs)
Sculptural Process – From Concept to Completion
This presentation summarises the steps in making a mosaic sculpture – concept development, drawing, maquette making, scaling up the form, making a substrate, developing a colour palette mosaicing the sculpture.
(45 minutes)
Sharing of Student Design Proposals
Get to know who is in your group and what they are planning to create and how. Sharing ideas, processes and problems is a very important part of the learning.
(45 minutes)
Sculptural Games
Conclude the first day with some fun activities designed to loosen up your 3D thinking.
(45 minutes)
Maquette Making
Explore ways to investigate your idea in 3D using – Paper, Clay, Foil, Wire
(45 minutes)
Erin, Francessca and Kaye working on a small collaborative sculptural response to a series of words. This exercise prompts students to create a large series of miniature works in a very short time working instinctively.
DAY 2 & 3 (14 HOURS)
Scaling up and Building the Substrate
On the second and third day students build their substrates, scaling up their maquettes and using construction techniques that are best suited to their design.
Palette Preparation – Hue, Value Chroma
We spend time discussing how to develop a
colour palette that supports your concept.
Tesserae – Prepare, Format, Personalise
We discuss the potential hurdles and important considerations when applying tesserae to a three dimensional form.
The workshop concludes with a group critique, evaluation and photography.
Annie Balcomb
Kaye Ballentyne
Mary Louise Hribal
Erin Rummer
Erin Rummer
Gill Green
Pip Enever
Tani Bates
