Greece Unit: Magazine Clipping Mosaics

While continuing our study of Ancient Greece, we learned that one of the most popular Grecian art forms was mosaic scenes. Craftsmen would use tesserae, small four-sided glass tiles, to create intricate wall mountings or floor coverings.

One snowy afternoon found us gathered at the art table creating our own mosaic masterpieces out of old magazine clippings.

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To Make a Magazine Clipping Mosaic

You will need:

• small squares of magazine clippings separated by color*
• heavy art paper
• pencil
• glue stick
• black marker (not pictured)
• scissors

*I cut large blocks of color out of magazine pages by cutting each page into strips, stacking the strips together, and cutting mini squares from several strips at a time. If you'd prefer NOT to use magazine pages, construction paper, scrapbook paper, or paint swatch chips would work just as well. (I just really liked the hodge-podge look of the mini magazine squares.)

Do a quick google image search of ancient Grecian mosaics for inspiration.

Sketch a simple shape or picture onto the art paper. SIMPLE is the key. A picture with too much detail or small spaces, will be too difficult to tile.

Apply glue to a small section of the sketch and begin laying magazine "tiles" leaving white space between each clipping. Create a unified look by laying all the tiles in the same direction.

Once all the tiles are in place, allow to dry. (This should only take a few minutes as glue stick adhesive dries very quickly.)

Using a dark marker, outline your original sketch. Don't be afraid to draw OVER the tiles.

Cut around the perimeter of the mosaic.

Ta-dah!  You have a beautifully crafted mosaic just like those made by the artists of ancient Greece.

For More Projects to enhance your study of Ancient Greece, be sure to check out these resources.

• Classical Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in Ancient Greece and Rome
• Spend the Day in Ancient Greece: Projects and Activities that Bring the Past to Life
• History Pockets: Ancient Greece

More in our Ancient Greece Unit

How to Make a Grecian Urn