3London School of Mosaic

A 30 hour mosaic course for beginners and students with some experience of mosaic making who would like to expand their practice and learn a different technique. Students will work on their own individual project, emphasis will be placed on a personal approach to your design.

You will be able to make a mosaic choosing from one of the following techniques: direct, indirect, double indirect (into plastercine) or direct into tile adhesive. Cutting and shaping material with tile nippers will be taught, including how to form a curve. Use of the mosaic hammer and hardie to cut down stone and marble will also be covered.  You will be able to explore the expressive possibilities of mosaic in your use of ‘andamento’ (different ways of laying down your mosaic tesserae to create different effects).

**Course times and duration options**
- 10 week-long course, 3 hours each week
- 5 week-long course, 6 hours on Sundays
- a week long intensive over 5 days Mo-Fri 6 hours each day

**Syllabus**
- Designing your mosaic and developing a colour and material cartoon
- Making the mosaic in the group assisted by your tutor
- Last session: Grouting, and/or turning the mosaic depending whether you used the direct or indirect method

**Your tutor: Catherine Parkinson**

Catherine Parkinson is a freelance mosaic artist and teacher, specialising in decorative patterns and the innovative use of mosaic materials and techniques. She has been working with mosaic for 22 years, coming from a textiles background having studied a degree in hand embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Besides teaching on our specialist short courses she also teaches in other adult education institutions and works on private and public commission. She has her own mosaic practice with works exhibited in galleries. 

Various Techniques Mosaic Course

London School of Mosaic

1London School of Mosaic

Lucy Cohen

As always the course was fantastic. Great venue and resources and the teacher Catherine manages to support, advise and challenge without imposing or being overwhelming. I would highly recommend any classes she teaches. 

Lucy

Lucy clark

Excellent course, lots of help using various techniques and media.

Janet Cohen

Excellent teaching and great to have everything supplied.

This course is excellent.  The teacher is very encouraging and all the staff are helpful.  There is plenty of material available and the students produce amazing work.

Jose Nicolson

A brilliant course! Catherine is a great teacher and so knowledgable about mosaics. I love the way she pushes me out of my comfort zone. And I always learn something new in every session.

Vladimir Guzina

I’ve attended only one term by now and I’m more than happy with everything from LSM. Very friendly place. Teacher, students and staff where great. I’m looking forward to restarting my classes as soon as we finish with this Corona viruses.

Clare Pierce

I love going to this course. A highlight of my week.

Judith Perle

Excellent course. Excellent teacher. Excellent venue.

Catherine is such an encouraging teacher, who always has a good suggestion as to which direction to take ones work.

Gail Levy

Really enjoyable class with inspirational tutor and like minded students.  Highlight of my week.

Andrea Swithenbank

The first class of Various Techniques Mosaic Course was very informative.
The teaching methods are clear and the materials are good quality and teaching to a high standard.
Its great to get stuck into a new hobby and meet people at the same time.
The library is good for any research and the LSoM a lively community be a part of.

Lisa Goldblatt

I have done many mosaic courses but have never had a teacher who was as skilled as the teacher on this course. She is excellent. The space is large and there are a lot of supplies and a library for ideas and its the perfect place to do mosaic. Its the highlight of my week.

Sophie MACKOWIAK

This is my second "Various techniques mosaic course" ans i recommend this course for beginners as well for initiaites. The teacher, Katherine Parkinson, is very competent and attentive. A wide choice of materials and techniques are available too. This is "the place to be" to improve your mosaic skills !

Exceptionally enjoyable - and productive.

Learning the various ways of techniques at the London School of Mosaic is truly inspiring and enjoyable.   

Gabriele Trinczek

Professional tutor, very organised, very friendly and helpful. Very supportive to explore ideas. Materials offer a  fantastic choice. 

Geraldine Gray

Excellent class, well run, well resourced and very interesting 

This class is the highlight of my week. I have learnt so much and the choice of materials is exceptional. The teaching is of a very high standard and the classes are still nice and small because of covid so it is a safe environment. I can not recommend it highly enough.

Debora Singer

I love this class. Making mosaics is very mindful and Catherine brings out the creativity in her students

James Mott

Wonderful as ever. The calmest part of my week.

Rachel Kolsky

You only have to see how many of Catherine's students return to her classes term after term, year after year to know how wonderful her courses are. I am a 'newbie' having attended for the first time in the autumn of 2021 but I am back in January 2022 and will be back for more too. We listing to Songs for Swinging Snippers as we shape our pieces of glass and ceramics ... the evenings speed by despite us all sitting there just snipping away. Book early everyone, if you don't you will be too late!!

Peter Wilson

My group was very friendly and made me feel very welcome as the new person.

Catherine was brilliant too being very patient with me and explaining things in an easy to take in way - although I will probably need reminding.

Geraldine  Gray

Debbie Singer

I love this class. Students get to work on their own projects with the expertise and encouragement of our teacher Catherine Parkinson.

Sarah Monk

Fantastic course, superb amenities, warm atmosphere and terrific teaching. Really great bunch of students too - highly recommend 

Great course, lovely tutor, fabulous venue. Thank you!

katie surridge

A really great week. I learnt a lot and had time to develop some new work. Thanks !

Ruth Rosenthal 

For a first timer this week long course couldn’t have been bettered. Hugely supportive teacher (Catherine) made for an enjoyable, rewarding  learning experience. Highly recommend. 

A wonderful  class with a teacher Catherine, who inspires you to create.   Whatever level you are learning every week in an enjoyable environment with like-minded people.   It is the highlight of my week. 

Priscilla-Louise Morrow

It is so much more than I expected! Catherine is an amazing  tutor. Can't wait for next Friday. So glad I enrolled with London school of mosaic. 

Winnie Liu

I always enjoy my courses here with Katherine. I learn so much and the school is just amazing. The facilities, the dedicated space and staff have all been brilliant

Prerana Phadnis

Absolutely love this class and the tutor is super knowledgeable and good at getting the best out of each student. I am a repeat customer and am always impressed with the variety and quality of work produced under Catherine’ s expert guidance 

Great class. Great teacher. Great fellow 'students'.  Catherine is amazing as the tutor. She is generous with both her time and (in my case) her patience as well as being very supportive. A brilliant introduction into mosaics.

liz Aston

I attended a one week mosaic course which was fantastic.  The teacher was really helpful and encouraged us to explore new ideas and techniques and the facilities are excellent. The atmosphere is welcoming and the cafe is excellent.  

Sylvia Chrzanowska

I didn’t expect to enjoy the course as much as I did; it was well organised, well timed and well explained. Catherine- the teacher made sure everyone had her attention if needed; guided through the phases and different techniques. Thank you once again Catherine. 

Catherine is a great teacher and always helpful, and encouraging.  No wonder I keep coming back.

Bunty Phillips

A most enjoyable class run by a warm & helpfull teacher
She is always willing to help & wants us to enjoy the class

Excellent class with a wonderful inspirational teacher

Catia  Funcello 

Wonderful teacher, passionate and patience, ready to answer to a million questions!

Ana Maria Lorz Vidan

Excellent teacher, patient, and very  knowledgeable .


excellent class
 teacher very helpful and good choice of materials. 

Lucy Clark

LSoM is such a great environment to work in.  Lots of inspirational work around to look at, students and tutors friendly and helpful, and an excellent variety of equipment and materials to use to create your ideas.  
Then put Catherine into the mix ....................!   She is a wonderful teacher, knowledgeable, encouraging and always able to spot just what it is that will help your project progress.

Sharon Strelitz

I am taking the Various Techniques Mosaic course from Catherine Parkinson in Fall 2022.  It is a terrific course,  exposing you to a variety of mosaic techniques.  You choose one of these techniques to develop a project with.  Catherine is a very supportive and experienced teacher,  she has encouraged me to do a project that is challenging but I am quite happy with the results!

Ewa Carsten

A very enjoyable course ran by experienced, considerate and very patient tutor Catherine Parkinson. Highly recommended. 

Gail levy

Inspirational teacher Catherine Parkinson encourages, instructs and make the class enjoyable while learning about mosaics.  All techniques are taught and having been to Caterine's classes for about 10 years I am still learning and enjoying her courses.

Wonderful to be back at LSM - excellent teaching, super helpful staff and a welcoming studio to work in. 
Highly recommend.

Aneta Ivanova 

This class is absolutely amazing. I am learning new skills and the level of teaching is  superb. You have to try it to believe it! 

daniel edney

Best decision I’ve made in a long time to study at the London school of Mosaic. 

It’s so chilled and wonderful to be amongst such helpful students and staff. Genuinely cannot find fault :) 

Brilliant class, brilliant teacher, brilliant studio!

Emelia Thorold

Really enjoying my classes with Catherine. She is a very patient teacher and always on hand to give you a steer if you want/need one - but also gives you space to do your own thing. Highly recommended.

I love this class.  Our teacher Catherine encourages us to convert our ideas into beautiful pieces of creative art.

Susan Ferguson

Really enjoying the course.   Excellent guidance from Catherine. 

Melinda Nicholds-Brown

100% recommendation.  Catherine is both a clear and supportive tutor. Good at quickly understanding each students needs.  A wonderfully inspiring space mixing masters and beginners in one large studio.  Book now- you won’t regret it. 

Gerda Oosterhof

Relaxing class with great tuition and results. Highly recommend!

Kirstie Cupper

The 5-day course was a great experience, very enjoyable in a friendly studio with an excellent instructor, Catherine, giving advice and encouragement throughout. I would thoroughly recommend this course if you have any inkling at all to learn about mosaic and will definitely do this again.

Wonderful inspirational place with excellent tuition for those who are starting out on this journey and inspiration for those as they continue their journey into the world of mosaics.

Carrollanne  Lindley

This is a great class in which to find and then polish your craft. Catherine is an excellent teacher, patient and always with suggestions how to deal with difficult shaping. The range of materials is exemplary. For me and the other students in the class, this provides an absolute haven on a Thursday night towards the end of the working week. I would thoroughly recommend if you are interested in music.

Daljit Rai

This place is a gem.
It's a very friendly and the classes have never disappointed . The teachers are very  knowledgeable and I always earned something new.

The teachers  also nudge you along if you're unsure and at the same time allow you the space to experiment and be authentic with your designs.
The range of materials is huge and it's like like an Aladdin's cave .


I love this class and the new studio is spacious, bright and well equipped. Catherine is an exceptional teacher. She is patient,  understanding and has a full understanding of technique while always respecting the student’s interpretation of design. 

Wonderful inspirational teacher in an artistic atmosphere.  My favourite time of the week.

Catherine patiently helped me work out how to turn my ideas into a practical mosaic project so now I'm really excited to begin

Ruth Rosenthal

I can’t imagine a better set up for learning and developing the skills needed to make a successful mosaic project. You are guided and supported through the processes thanks to knowledgeable experts.
Can’t ask for more… Thank you Catherine and LS of M 


Susan Bagwell

Catherine is a great teacher.  This is my second course with her

Gerda Oosterhof 

I love the weekly mosaic class under the supervision and guidance of Catherine Parkinson, who is an inspirational and very patient teacher! The new workspace is comfortable and there is a large range of materials to choose from.  If you want to learn more about the art of mosaics this is the place to be! Highly recommend.

Anna Wells 

I have really enjoyed learning about mosaics and Cathy was a very patient teacher.

Brilliantly taught by Catherine Parkinson who is very encouraging and enables each student to follow their choice of technique and style

LSoMosaic is a well equipped and convivial space to develop your own work with excellent support available when needed. I’m hooked on the medium and the method,  and appreciate the quality of teaching and the facilities of the school generally. 



Nicky Selby

A fantastic course. I would highly recommend 

Great course. I thoroughly recommend it for beginners and more experienced mosaicists who are looking for a bit of guidance/inspiration. 

Pavlina Constantinides

I had a wonderful time! I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Cathrine Parkinson is a very good teacher.

Anthia Nutt

I attended a 5-day mosaics course at LSoM under the guidance and supervision of Mrs. Catherine Parkinson.  Everything was perfect!!  An abundance of materials and tools to start with, anything one would need or didn't know he/she needed but now does. The space was inspiring as well, seasoned professionals executing mosaics and welcoming us to watch and learn. We obtained so much knowledge just by watching a master at work... The best part of the experience however was our teacher. Catherine was awesome!! She taught, explained, guided and advised while at the same time allowing us, her students, to take decisions regarding our work and, once we did, again guiding us to execute to the best of our abilities. She treated us with respect, humour and humanity, one could not wish for a better person to teach the course. Last, I must say a few words for "Mother", the cafe adjacent to the school. Good food, friendly service, ambiance. Our lunch break was a pleasurable experience in itself. 

Jessica  Roland 

Catherine was an amazing teacher as always. Her advice & encouragement is inspiring. The range of materials is superb. I look forward to coming back.

Catherine enables students to make their own individual projects allowing us all to develop different skills.  

I have been with the LSoM for many years. Our teacher is fantastic. She knows exactly when to instruct or offer suggestions and when to leave us to explore our own style. The choice of materials is great and the space is perfect. I highly recommend giving this a try. Like me, you too may become an addict!

Eleni Leoussi

Outside my home this is my favourite place to be. Great school brilliant teachers 

Lauren Pierce

I really enjoy participating in the mosaic courses at The London School of Mosaics. The teachers are really approachable and helpful and I feel like I have learnt a lot about mosaics and different variations! I liked working on their volunteering projects recently! I would definitely recommend booking a course! 

Zoya Charles

Catherine is an excellent teacher. She is always very helpful and supportive so I signed up for the second course to be taught again by her. Sadly the room is not in the best shape with a leaking roof and temperamental lighting. 

There can be no better environment to learn the art of mosaic making than this school. The experienced knowledgeable teacher points you in the right direction in a kindly manner helping you to get the best out of the medium. I can’t recommend it highly enough.  It’s an awesome place! 

I always enjoy Catherine’s mosaic class and I have learnt so much.  She is so skilled at lots of techniques and very encouraging to her students.

Pip Rowlandson

I love the London School
Of Mosaic . The people, the courses , the tutors, the atmosphere all makes me feel happy and content. The knowledge and kind help of all the tutors is wonderful . I’m currently on a workshop
With Catherine who has helped me so much with my mosaic design and fantastic tips and ideas with her wealth of knowledge in mosaic making . I love every class and love being there thank you🌸

peter wilson

Paula is a very experienced mosaicist and is brilliant at sharing that knowledge with her students. She is encouraging and willing to offer views and suggestion on designs and execution. Totally brilliant.

Lynn  Baxter 

Im really enjoying the Various techniques course with Paula. She is so helpful and no matter what your experience she encourages you to develop new skills  in mosaics. There’s a wonderful choice of materials to use at LSOM and interesting people to meet and exchange ideas with.  

Jackie Bullock

I would highly recommend this course and LSOM  if you are interested in exploring different mosaic techniques and/or you already have done a mosaic taster course.  The tutors are highly experienced, enthusiastic and supportive. And you also learn so much from other students, the commercial artists at LSOM and their work.

30 hour course for beginners and improvers, who wish to explore a variety of mosaic techniques and materials.

Question 1

Please provide an emergency contact and phone number

6London School of Mosaic

Make a stunning mosaic out of a mosaic template, photograph or your original design. You will learn how to cut mosaic tile to precise shapes as well as how to design the mosaic with a consistent andamento. This is the flow of tiles and gaps in a mosaic which creates a distinct and systematic pattern. 

Mosaic is a slow paced art form and you don't need to be good at drawing as we teach different techniques to copy and transfer a design onto paper or wood base.

Our short courses take place in a large mosaic-specialist studio and each class has capacity to maximum 9 students so everyone can have individual attention and help from the artist tutor. 

One day courses are suitable for people who are complete beginners wanting try a taster session to learn the basics of mosaic making and have a fun day. 

You will create a small piece of  14cm square mosaic using the direct method. In order to be able to complete the mosaic within the given time the design must be simple such as a star, or a flower, or a heart or an object silhouette. 

**What is covered in the course:**
- The direct method of mosaic
- How to transform a design idea into a mosaic using andamento
- How to use mosaic making tools
- How to cut and lay ceramic and glass vitreous tiles using tile nippers
- How to grout and complete your mosaic.


One Day Course in Mosaic: Direct Method 

Tracie Woodman

Tutor was passionate and enabled all students to complete their project. Plenty of equipment and choice of materials. My experience certainly made me want to go back for more!  I had a really enjoyable day, a very socialable group with lots if giggles as well as the hard work concentrating! In  n our break I chatted to students on another class and  If I lived in London I would certainly have looked into doing a diploma. The school has a great ethos, very engaged with local community and happy that by attending a course with them it helps support this work. 

Sharon Clewes

The course was excellent. I had never done any mosaic work before but after this course I love it and would like to do more. The teacher was superb - friendly, helpful and encouraging. I’d come again in a flash. 

Julia Croyden

Sara Lee

Such a great day, the class was really well taught and paced for a group of newbies. Paula was a great tutor and helped us elevate our ideas to look as good in real life as they did in our minds! Highly recommended. 

Nicky Waldman

Excellent class, really enjoyed it. Very well set up for current circumstances and Paola was a superb teacher. Would highly recommend this class. 

Peter Robinson

claire bruce-clayton

The workshop was excellent - well run, lots of information. The tutor, Paola, was both knowledgeable and helpful. I learned a lot, enjoyed the day and would recommend to others.

Yvonne  McCarthy

We had such a lovely day at the one day mosaic course. Paola was really friendly encouraging and helpful and we are delighted with our finished products after the day. Thank you for a great time. We hope to come back again next year!

Val Giral

Great Class!! Paula is a real artist and know how to teach with lots of kindness. Thank le for everything x 

Wanda Wyporska

Great day course on which I learned such a lot about the techniques. Good teacher, great cafe and I've signed up for a two day course now!

It was okay, I learned that I could draw the tile shape on the wood, but overall I  had learned way more from online videos, and other online materials before. The atmosphere around the school was very nice. I feel the course was lacking instruction and technique teaching.  I was hoping to get detailed explanation of use of tools, cutting or tiles laying technique, and comment or advice on the design choice (what's suitable, not suitable), but all of them were not really covered. We were only given a paper about ways to cut into different shapes, but I don't think the tutor actually covered the cutting technique other than just asking us to try it,  I feel that we were effectively just given the space and materials to work on a piece that day with limited explanation and guidance. I thought it was a course, not an experience day. Perhaps if was intended that way, it should be advertised that way?

Nicky Gist

Great teacher and airy space to work in which was cool on a boiling day. Alot to fit in the hours and a shame that the end was time tight but I really enjoyed it!

Mona

Alexander Jones

Really enjoyed a busy but rewarding day. Guidance from the host was insightful and always seemed to be at just the right moment. Plenty of tools & tiles to choose from which made designing my first mosaic a joy.

Philippa Matthews

We had a great time, learned a lot and individuality was able to flourish! Thank you Alex.

Claire Widgery

I had a horrible start to the full day Beginner's Course on Saturday 21st August because the instructions to the car park [I am a Blue Badge holder] were totally inadequate. I had been helped to reserve a place by Marvin in the office during the week but the instruction to collect the parking permit before class required me to find the address and a parking place to safely leave my car  before doing so!  The number of the  School of Mosaic was very hard to see from the road and way beyond the entrance to the parking area. The office phone was not answered when I tried for help.  Fortunately Alex my course tutor later picked up a call - she had supplied us with her number - and came out into the road to help me find the entrance car parking space and permit for display alongside my disabled badge.  She was friendly, understanding and very generous considering she was also just beginning the course with the other participants [another of whom had also had similar problems].
The good news is that having got over my parking problems etc I had a very good day.  The course was well organised and relaxed.  Alex was very skilled at meeting the needs of a varied group and created a supportive atmosphere. Without seeming to pressure us she got us through the required stages providing help when required without fuss or patronising us.  Her humour and chocolate digestive biscuit were great and we all left very satisfied and proud of our own and each other's achievements!
Thankyou


Meg Camm

Alex a really good teacher
 I support the request to be prepared with designs for the class as even simple designs take all day. Materials were plenty and varied to use. Back to Alex as she set a welcoming tone for the whole day. I certainly recommend this course to others
Meg

Vanessa Loaiza

I had a great time. Alex was so knowledgeable and helpful. She stayed extra time just to make sure we were all finished. I would definiely recommend it and I look forward to using this new skill in the future!

Veronica Lamarche

Really great course that really sets you up to make your own mosaics afterwards at home. Alex was very knowledgeable and helpful.

Melanie Mercer

Maria 

Great fun, the time was filled from start to finish. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable tutor who gave a lot of assistance and feedback. Plenty of choice of supplies to create a fanatastic small mosaic. Tea/coffee and biscuits to keep us going.  Lovely cafe on site for lunch with delicious home made food and very reasonable price. I am really pleased with what I made and recommend you try too.

Sam Addai

I really loved the course with Alex McHallam,  great teacher and a great day. I would highly recommend!

Jannine Badstuber

I was an enjoyable course. I throughly enjoyed the creative process. Would definitely come back. 

Elisa Musiu

This was such a great day, really enjoyed it and would definitely come back! Thanks

Victoria Stoner

Very cool class! Alex was a great instructor and very helpful. Would definitely take again!

Rhona Summerfield 

Lovely time with Alex a great informative tutor who demystified a lot of mosaic questions and queries - had a great day; where did the time go! Thank you. I will be back to do the two day course.

Christine Dickinson

RonaMac

I thoroughly enjoyed my one day course on making a mosaic by the direct method. The tutor was fabulous, taught us lots and gave us great advice on our pieces. It was a great introduction to a wonderful craft and had encouraged me to do more. Great cafe next door too! 

Learn how to precisely cut and lay mosaic tiles using your own design or one of our templates with the Direct Method 

London School of Mosaic: Short Courses