Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Mosaic - part three

Walls painted and ready to go.

First job is to get the picture divided up and cut up into pieces.

mosaic  chopped

I used both paint shop pro and photoshop for this, mostly because I simply couldn't get the grid function to work properly in photoshop.

The image needs to be divided into 11.8cm x 13.8 cm rectangles. The reason they need to be this size is because this is the size of the rear of a cd case, the bit below the cd holder which you can simple snap out.

Dix4 Dix3

Why use cd cases for the mosaic?

I used cd cases for my mosaic for 2 reasons. Firstly, the rear of a standard cd cases is completely clear, and new cases have a lovely shine to them. Secondly, if mounted as I have done, it is a relatively simple process to replace the picture used in the mosaic at a later date.

Image009nxu

You can usually pick up cd cases dirt cheap - mine were about 4p per case.

Obviously the larger the design the more cases. I used 40 in total, but I had another 20 odd spare.

Final prep

Once I'd cropped all 40 rectangles I simply printed them out (2 panels per A4 to conserve paper - and the worlds resources) and cut them out. I then placed them into the rear of the cd cases and got ready to mount.

Image007qik

Image008

I could either arrange the cases on the wall directly next to one another, which would simply form a large almost seamless picture or break the image up a bit by adding gaps. As stated earlier, adding gaps will enable me to change the image when I get pig sick of it, which will happen as I am extremely fickle.

Final prep, attaching a couple of strips of double sided padded sticky tape to each case (Shout out to Blue Peter!).

Mounting the image

The best and worst part. It's much harder than you'd think to get the cases all completely square to another, whilst at the same time ensuring that the image looks right.

Obviously having a big ruler and spirit level is essential. Anyway, as the evening turned to night I pushed on with the mosaic.

Mosaic starting is the hardest

Later...

Mosaic coming together

Much later...

mosaic getting there

Until finally...

Finished mosaic last night

Daisy gets in on the photo action

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Image005rl

Sadly, I only have a mobile phone camera here at the moment so I apologise for the poor quality shots.

That was fun. So what's next?

32 comments:

garfer said...

A truly excellent result.
You have inspired me. I think I shall prepare a P J Harvey mosaic for my bathroom wall.
The fact that you can change the picture when bored is genius.

Unknown said...

I have to admit that is pretty damn good.

Sniffy said...

OMG That's fucking fantastic! An absolutely brilliant effect.

Ahem, is that a peace lilly on your desk? Fuck's sake man, you do a brilliant job of decorating your study and ruin it with that thing!

pissoff said...

"What's next?" you ask. My house. It needs a complete overhaul. It's not too big of a house but it will take up a fair amount of your time. The new windows are coming at the end of the month. I need new flooring. New countertops. New furniture. New paint job. New decorating. New everything.

You could have your own little show happening there couldn't you.

"At Home with Herge"

Sniffy said...

Oh yeah, and I've still not painted that loft hatch in my bedroom!

Actually, that'd be just like me: instead of taking 15 minutes to paint the fucking thing, to four days to make an interesting mosaic design with CD cases and segments of photographs.

MoMo said...

Absolutely brilliant! I feel inspired to do one myself - i think i'll make one of gromit. You should be on TV telling people how to do this kinda stuff, one of those changing what not to ground projects.
I'm lovin' this DIY stuff - its better than the daleks.

MC Etcher said...

Wow, very well done, and great photo's of the progress!

My concern with using CD cases is how fragile they are - if you bump the wall, they're likely to crack.

Peevish McSnark said...

Very nice! Move over LLB, here comes Herge!

Anonymous said...

that is just too cool.

Rowan said...

mind if I steal the idea? I have a picture I took of my daughter and I that I think would look really great like that...or would you be terribly upset, I AM afterall in another country and the patent can remain yours forever more (just want to borrow with your permission)

Karen said...

It's beautiful, Herge. And the idea of the CD cases is fabulous. Something I'd be tempted to do if I weren't just a filthy renter.

M said...

That is so totally awesome Herge!!! It really turned out well. Can you come over and do that at my house? With one of my pics, of course... Really, top notch!

Alex M said...

Absolutely ace. It's like "Art Attack" in here now. :)

Connie said...

Nice Work....That is pretty cool.
I also like the fact you can change the pic...

Spirit Of Owl said...

Utterly brilliant, you're a genius. I'm inspired, but I'm inept when it comes to that kind of thing, so I'll just have to look at your work and wish I could do it too. :D

Anonymous said...

Smart Idea. If you're ever going to do it again, it might be an idea to make some sort of jig out of two pieces of wood, to make getting the positioning easier.

red one said...

It's fab, Herge. And thanks for the stage by stage pics. They are great.

Cor! I'm well impressed.

red

Rainypete said...

That's brilliant! Nice use of unconventional materials.

thordora said...

DAMN COOL!

portuguesa nova said...

I love it!!

M said...

I miss you. So, what's up???

LB said...

i think that is bloody brilliant as well.

wow.

*waits for Morph to appear*

Rowan said...

so, ummm....twiddling thumbs, are you up to answering our questions yet?

The Saturnyne said...

Neat idea!

At last i have a use for all the promo cd cases i have lying around.

PS: I love my blog being viewed as Crazy Shit. *looks smug*

S.

M said...

Ice Sculpting???

red one said...

Uh-oh. Worrying silence from the angry chimp.

You there, Herge?

red

Karen said...

I miss the Chimpy. Come back when you can, Herge!

the author said...

the mosaic is amazing - toothfairy and creak sent me along to see your amazing design - I'm going to try it out - I needed something fantastic to do for my husband for christmas and this will make a great addition to our sports room - thanks for sharing :)

Laziest Girl said...

The man is a genius in a monkey costume. That's all I have to say.

thordora said...

miss you. just a word is all we need...nothing fancy....just you

M said...

It's been weeks and folks are still commenting... :-)

Anonymous said...

Have you seen this?

Same effect, but MUCH easier to do!

http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/