Geneva Vanderzeil
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Geneva Vanderzeil

Instructor

In This Lesson

Patterns are the heartbeat of a mosaic,  a whether you’re drawn to classic repeats like herringbone, playful checkerboards, or loose organic waves, the key is to start with a simple shapes and build from there. Think about scale (little tiles = delicate detail, larger pieces = bold impact), colour contrast, and how your design will flow around corners or edges. Most importantly, pick a pattern that sparks joy and suits your project’s purpose—because when the layout feels right, the whole piece comes alive.

A Few Pattern Ideas

1. Pattern-Making with Pre-Shaped Tiles

Use tiles that are already made into specific shapes like petals, teardrops, triangles, ovals, or circles  and arrange them into patterns or images. 

2. Image or Scene-Based Mosaics:

  • Pictorial Mosaic – Use small, varied shapes to build a picture or scene (like a bird, flower, or landscape)

  • Silhouettes – A strong shape filled in with tiles, set against a contrasting background

  • Text or Lettering – Spell out a word or quote with small uniform tiles or micro mosaic