Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

Roman mosaics sit in a category of their own.

Samian ware? You can explain the specific clay used, the production centres, and the distinctive finish.
Frescoes? You can talk technique and the Four Styles.

Both are valuable, both are unmistakably Roman — but neither has an internal system of rules that you can actually learn to see.

Mosaics are different.
They’re the only Roman art form where the underlying logic is still visible in the object itself.

The 6 Rules, size, spacing, borderlines, transitions, keystones, offsets, give mosaics a unique depth:
not symbolic, not interpretive, but structural.
Anyone can be shown how to spot them.

No other Roman craft offers that kind of direct insight into how the artisan worked.

If you want to learn to see the rules for yourself, go over my other posts here or comment “andamento” and I’ll DM you the link to my guide.

#romanmosaics #learnromanmosaics #andamento #classicaleducation #mosaicandamento #learnmosaic #romanmosaicandamento #classicalandamento

2 months ago | [YT] | 2

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

If you didn’t know…

To help people learn about Roman mosaics the way the Romans actually made them, I’ve started a new community on Skool.

It’s built around doing, not just reading:
1. Free Tier – Understand what makes Roman mosaics truly Roman and learn the 6 rules the artisans followed. You will still be learning if you choose to stay here 👍
2. Premium ($9/month) – Join live “on-the-job” sessions, get notes and recordings, and practise Classical Andamento in real work.
3. VIP ($67/month) – For those ready to teach or go deeper into the craft and presentation side.

If you’re curious about how ancient craftsmen created flow and balance—this is where we explore it.

👉 Join here: www.skool.com/making-roman-mosaics-5345

2 months ago | [YT] | 1

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

Ever struggled with getting your mosaic patterns just right, especially when working on a small detail where the full design isn't visible? This video shares a simple yet effective trick: placing your mosaic baseboard directly over a drawing of the complete pattern.

This method helps you:

1. See exactly where each strand of your pattern should go, even if it extends beyond your current work area.

2. Maintain the correct relationship of all elements within the overall design.

3. Avoid common errors, like making parts of the pattern too wide, by providing a clear visual guide.

It's particularly useful for intricate border patterns like a double strand "guilloche" [at 01:17], making it easier to ensure your tesserae are perfectly aligned.
Here's the link to the full video: https://youtu.be/sAf9Hq21MyM?si=DLhmn...
'Using a Drawing Underneath a Geometric Mosaic'

6 months ago | [YT] | 8

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

I’ve been replicating Roman mosaics for over 20 years, and I’m curious—
If you were starting your first Roman mosaic, what would hold you back most?

8 months ago | [YT] | 3

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

📱 JUST RELEASED – My new Museum Visitors Guide to Roman Mosaics is now available!
Whether you're walking into a museum or browsing online collections, this guide will change how you see mosaics forever.
This is a pdf formatted for mobiles so you can easily access it. Open the file, read the first 'rule', find it in the mosaic then scroll to the next one!

🔍 Most people admire the pictures.
This shows you how to read the lines—and uncover the invisible rules the artisans followed.

💡 Perfect for:
– Museum visitors who want more than to read the cards
– Artists and craftspeople
– Teachers & tour guides
– Anyone curious about ancient craftsmanship

Click below to get your copy instantly for just $5 👇
👉 stan.store/romanmosaics

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9 months ago | [YT] | 2

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

Do you want to know what the 6 Rules of ancient Greek & Roman mosiacs are? Free pdf to download, no email address needed.

Here's why I'm giving away the basics of Classical Andamento for free.

I believe in a solid foundation. Before anyone can be a "master" mosaic artist, they first need to learn the fundamentals—the manual labour that is a craft that only with consistent practice can open up the 'art'. And that starts with applying the six simple rules that form the backbone of every Roman mosaic.

Why is this important? These rules aren’t just "nice to know." They're essential. Without them, you can't properly recreate Roman mosaics—let alone create anything with the level of structure and flow that we admire in ancient mosaics.

I won’t gatekeep the basics. This is the most basic skills. It’s impossible to move forward in Roman mosaic work without understanding these core principles.

You don’t have to just take my word for it—get these rules and look at Roman mosaics yourself. You’ll see how the flow and the structure shape the designs and make them timeless.

Sure, you can buy my workbook for a deeper dive, but this part—the foundation—needs to be open to everyone. After all, it’s where all the magic begins.

What's Inside the PDF?

This PDF is your first step in understanding Classical Andamento—the flow and structure behind Roman mosaics. It covers:

-The six core rules that define classical andamento of ancient Greek & Roman mosaics.
-What happens when these rules are ignored and how it disrupts the visual flow.
-Breakdown of key concepts like borderlines, keystone shapes, and tesserae placement.
-A deeper understanding of how these rules apply to both modern mosaics and Roman recreations.
It’s designed to help you see mosaics through the eyes of ancient artisans and give you the foundation needed to create more structured, purposeful designs.

You can get the PDF for free here; stan.store/romanmosaics

10 months ago | [YT] | 0

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

🧩 Create Your Own Roman Geometric Mosaic! 🧩
Ever wanted to make a real Roman mosaic using authentic patterns? Now you can! I’ve put together a digital pattern pack featuring 10 historical designs from 1st–6th century CE, ready to print and transfer using carbon copy paper.

✅ What’s Inside?
✔ 10 authentic Roman mosaic patterns (Solomon’s Knots, Interwoven Hearts, 3D Planometric Designs)
✔ Works with 10mm (3/8") and 5mm tesserae
✔ Step-by-step instructions & color reference images
✔ Tesserae count & color breakdown included

🔗 Get all the details & grab your pattern pack here: roman-mosaic-workshops.ecwid.com/Geometric-Mosaic-…

#MosaicArt #RomanMosaic #ClassicalAndamento #HandmadeArt #CraftYourOwn #MosaicPatterns

10 months ago | [YT] | 2

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

🛠️ The 6 Rules of Classical Andamento – And What Happens When You Break Them!

I just posted a short video showing two flowcharts:
✅ One follows the Classical Andamento rules for Roman mosaics.
❌ The other shows what happens when those rules are ignored.

Understanding this difference is the key to making mosaics with structure, flow, and rhythm. Check out the video and let me know what you see! 👇



#RomanMosaics #MosaicArt #ClassicalAndamento

11 months ago | [YT] | 1

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

What Would a Roman Mosaic Be If It Wasn't 'Roman'?

When we think of Roman mosaics, many people focus on when they were made, the materials used for the tesserae, or the imagery they depict. But these aspects, while interesting, are not what defines a Roman mosaic at its core.

The key lies in understanding classical andamento—the foundational approach to how tesserae are arranged to create harmony and flow. Here’s what truly makes a mosaic “Roman”:

1. Consistent Tesserae Size
The tesserae (small pieces used to create the mosaic) are cut to maintain a uniform average size. This consistency ensures a smooth visual texture, which is crucial for achieving the balance and order characteristic of Roman mosaics.

2. Specific Andamento (Classical Andamento)
Classical andamento is a structured system of arranging tesserae that guides the viewer’s eye effortlessly across the mosaic. It dictates the flow and direction of the tesserae to enhance the overall composition.

3. Easy to Learn, Consistently Applied (The Six Rules)
This system of andamento is straightforward to learn and can be applied consistently with practice. The six rules of classical andamento provide clear guidelines for achieving this timeless aesthetic.

4. Visual Harmony Over Distraction
Classical andamento ensures that no single part of the mosaic disrupts the balance of the whole. It prevents discordant elements that might draw the viewer’s eye to one area at the expense of appreciating the mosaic as a unified work.

By focusing on classical andamento, we can understand what makes Roman mosaics truly remarkable—and how this timeless system can be applied to mosaics created today, regardless of the time, materials, or imagery involved.

If you'd like a FREE copy of my 'Guide to the Principles & Rules Used in Roman Mosaics then you can get it here: stan.store/romanmosaics

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Roman Mosaic Workshops Ltd

Why I Won't Be Teaching Any More "Masterclasses"

I've been thinking deeply about the nature of Roman mosaic making and how we describe our learning journey in this ancient craft.

Like classical architecture with its time-tested ratios and proportions, Roman mosaics follow six clear rules of andamento. These aren't secret knowledge or advanced techniques - they're practical principles that guide every tessera we lay, from our first mosaic to our hundredth.

My teacher, Luciana Notturni, shared a profound truth with me: in Roman mosaics, there are no "advanced" techniques. What separates a beautiful mosaic from an average one isn't hidden knowledge or special tricks - it's simply time spent practising while faithfully applying these fundamental rules.

This is why I've decided to stop using the term "masterclass" in my teaching. While I'll continue sharing everything I know about this craft, I believe using "masterclass" doesn't accurately reflect the nature of our work.

The beauty of Roman mosaic making lies in its clarity of purpose and approach. Every mosaic artisan, whether they've made five or five hundred mosaics, works with the same principles. We don't become "advanced" - we just become more practised, more precise, more attuned to the materials and the rules that guide us.

And this is precisely what makes Roman mosaic making so special and, I believe, so profound. There's something deeply honest about a craft where excellence isn't hidden behind a veil of complexity or secret knowledge. Instead, it's achieved through dedication to simple, unchanging principles. The rules that guided ancient Roman artisans are the same ones we use today. This direct connection to history, this commitment to proven fundamentals over flashy innovations, creates a tradition where true growth comes not from learning more, but from doing better with what we already know.

What are your thoughts on this? How do you view the journey of learning and improving in your own craft?

Lawrence

1 year ago | [YT] | 9