Mosaic Artist Notes on iPhone: Tesserae Assessment, Installation Substrate & Commission Records
How mosaic artists use Nemos to document tesserae material assessments, color palette planning, installation substrate notes, grouting mix records, and commission specifications.
Mosaic is one of the oldest and most durable art forms, but its durability depends on correct material choices and technical execution. A smalti mosaic installed in a wet environment requires different adhesive and grout than one installed in a heated interior. Tesserae from different manufacturers may have incompatible coefficients of thermal expansion in large exterior installations. The mosaic artist who works at a professional level documents these material decisions to protect their work's longevity.
What to Capture in Nemos
Tesserae Material Assessment For each tesserae type used: - Material type: smalti, vitreous glass, ceramic, natural stone, mirror, gold/silver leaf glass - Manufacturer and product line - Color range and availability assessment - Cutting behavior: how it responds to wheel, hammer and hardie, nipper - Surface texture and light reflection character - Any limitations (fragility, inconsistent color batches)
Material assessment notes inform sourcing decisions and help predict how materials will behave together in a composition.
Color Palette Planning For each project's color palette: - Primary colors and their material/manufacturer references - Color transition planning (how colors will blend optically at viewing distance) - Tesserae that were evaluated but rejected and why - Any color substitutions made mid-project
Palette notes document curatorial decisions that aren't visible in the finished work.
Substrate and Installation Notes For each installation environment: - Substrate type (concrete, wood, mesh, existing wall) - Adhesive type and rationale (thinset, epoxy, PVA, silicone for mirror) - Back-buttering approach - Setting pattern: opus regulatum, opus vermiculatum, direct, indirect method - Expansion joint placement for large installations
Installation notes are critical for exterior or wet-environment work where material compatibility determines long-term durability.
Grouting Records For each grouting session: - Grout type: sanded, unsanded, epoxy - Color and mix proportions - Joint width and depth - Curing conditions - Any staining or color variation issues
Grout notes document the mix that achieved the desired result — reproducible for matching repairs.
Commission Specification Records For each commissioned work: - Client brief and design requirements - Site dimensions and any installation constraints - Approved design reference - Delivery and installation timeline - Client approval at each stage
FAQ
Can I use Nemos offline at installation sites? Yes. Full offline.
How do I track material inventory for large installations? Log estimated tesserae quantities by color and material in the project note. Not a substitute for a materials spreadsheet, but useful for quick reference.
Can I attach design reference photos? Yes. Attach design sketches, color reference photos, and site photos to the project note. Visual documentation at each stage is essential for complex commissions.
How do I organize notes for a studio with many concurrent projects? Title notes by project name and client identifier. Tags by installation environment (interior, exterior, wet) keep the technical reference organized.
Is Nemos useful for restoration assessment on existing mosaics? Yes — document material identification, damage mapping, and proposed treatment approaches with photos attached.
Related Reading
- /blog/stained-glass-artist-notes-iphone — glass color and installation documentation
- /blog/ceramicist-notes-iphone — material and firing documentation patterns
- /blog/conservator-notes-iphone — treatment assessment and material documentation
- /blog/muralist-notes-iphone — large-scale installation and site assessment notes
Sources
- Mosaic materials technical references: Society of American Mosaic Artists technical resources
- Installation adhesive compatibility: Mapei and Laticrete technical data sheets for mosaic installation systems
Taha built Némos after years of losing screenshots and voice memos across a dozen apps. He writes about on-device AI, personal knowledge management, and building privacy-first tools for iPhone.
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