Design and Drawing for Mosaics with Carol Shelkin

From the mind's eye

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When you are ready to create a mosaic art piece, what do you consider first? Is it the materials? The substrates? The designs? It may be all of those things, but before you start, you must consider your design. How would you like to learn some simple and easy to execute techniques for drawing without a model?

In this online course Carol Shelkin takes you step-by-step from how to draw an almost perfect freehand circle, to drawing a complete rose, including different techniques for shading. Carol starts this course with a very in-depth powerpoint presentation discussing composition, art elements, and how to see certain objects as simple shapes. She breaks down all the mystery of how to draw without an image or model in front of you. Once you master this technique, it can be used with portraits, animals, objects in nature, and so much more.

In this course you will learn:

  • Definition of composition and how it is applied
  • Basic art elements that will enlighten and enhance your mosaic art process
  • How to draw an “almost” perfect circle
  • How to start to draw a rose
  • How to look at the drawing process in lines and shapes
  • How to outline your rose
  • How to add shading with 5 different techniques
  • How to add more depth and dimension with pens
  • How to transfer your design to a substrate

Just to clarify: In this course you will not learn how to mosaic a rose. However, this course is a valuable drawing course that will lead you through creating an image for use as a mosaic template.

This is a great course for beginners to use simple techniques while following along with Carol as she draws each line. As you follow the steps with your instructor, you will see a rose drawing evolve and emerge.

Included in this course is a short PDF with Carol’s favorite supplies as well as an image of the rose for download.



Your Instructor


Carol Shelkin
Carol Shelkin

Carol Shelkin, a visual artist is creating contemporary, fine art, original and intricate mosaic designs that eminent care and attention to detail with hand cut, high quality stained glass and other glass materials.

Taking to art as soon as she was able to hold a crayon, she started attending Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia at seven years old. It was made clear at a young age that her life would be centered on her passion for art.
She continued her artistic direction with studies at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and studied under mosaic masters in Ravenna, Italy. Before becoming a full time artist and instructor, she owned a successful arts nursery school/child care program.
Carol accepts week long and weekend workshops, commissions and creates one-of-a-kind works of art that are displayed in galleries, community centers, libraries, commercial and residential settings. She works with the clients to form a partnership to help make their visions into a work of art. She also offers workshops and tours as far as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain, to name a few with Worldwide Mosaic Art Workshops and Tours.
Carol received several grants from The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Upper Darby Arts and chosen to receive the prestigious Robin Brett Mosaic Scholarship for continued education from The Society of American Mosaic Artists. She is a Founding Member and past President of The Mosaic Society of Philadelphia.
Carol finds a very eclectic approach to surface design, placing glass where she, as a painter naturally places paint.

Course Curriculum


  First Section
Available in days
days after you enroll

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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