Backyard Birds with David Jarvinen

For the bird loving Mosaicist in all of us!

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Mosaic Arts Online is thrilled to offer this wonderful online course teaching the basics of how to create a mosaic bird with glass tiles. David Jarvinen’s Backyard Birds will teach you the step-by-step process for creating this unique project. You will learn how to see the shapes and tones of all kinds of backyard birds as you bring them to life with some simple materials and tools.

Through the use of the profile of your bird image, you will learn a new set of skills using the “shard” effect. This effect will give visual movement and realism to the feathers of the bird as you learn how to place them in specific directions. David will also introduce his “storyboard” method. This is a great way to plan and choose your color, tones, and highlights through the use of dark, medium, and light colors in the different areas of your image.

Minimal tools and materials are needed to create life-like mosaic birds in no time. This is a great course for beginners who want to learn without the pressure or constraints of the many rules that sometimes come with mosaic art.

Once you master these techniques you will be able to use the “shard” effect to create many other animals with feathers, fur, or even use it when depicting grass, leaves, and landscapes. .

This course comes with a PDF of all the tools, materials, and resources David recommends!


Your Instructor


David Jarvinen
David Jarvinen

I came to the mosaic industry through ceramic tile contracting and a couple of clay artists. Our business was remodeling kitchens and baths with ceramic and glass tile, and doing tile jobs most other contractors wouldn’t. This led to a reputation for being creative.

During this time, I met those couple of clay artists that asked me to assist with their school and public mural installations they had created. It was great fun and I volunteered to help. Then, after a year or two of volunteering, I landed a paying gig to cover for one of the artist installers, as they needed to go out of town. That was the beginning. Circa 1998.

From this beginning, I worked to incorporate mosaics into my contracting business and there was a market! It wasn’t huge, but it was there—I worked to make mosaics mainstream through our business and have had some happy customers as a result.

Most of my work was architectural in nature. Then the clay artist who had instructed classes, for which I assisted—was moving out of state, so I approached the host venues and inquired to see if I could take over for her. They were happy to give me a try. That was the beginning of my instruction career. Circa 2004.

I continued to expand my collaborations and as of 2017 I am continuing to instruct, learn and create mosaics!


Course Curriculum


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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 14 days and we will give you a full refund.

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