Embellishing Tiles to Make Artwork
Creating Weighty Works of Art with An Easy Tile Craft Project
Laying things up and making a mess is a lot of fun. Challenge yourself to work on a small piece, the size of a ceramic tile.
Working with leftover tiles is an interesting twist on mixed media art because, rather than working on a porous paper surface, smooth and slippery surfaces are involved. The smooth surface of a ceramic tile can be approached in a variety of ways:
- Through the use of adhesive, like hot glue, epoxy, or many layers of decoupage (or gel) medium.
- By sanding the surface so it has a matte finish.
- By adding a layer of glaze as a base, and then in between each layer of embellishment.
The choice is really up to the mixed media artist, what they have on hand, and what they are willing to add to their art supply collection. There are other experiments that can be done to take care of the slippery surface, so do not be afraid to experiment beyond what is listed above.
If a collage is being created on the tile, try using items that would not necessarily work on a paper surface (because it would be too heavy to lift or hang without the paper folding or tearing). For example, add:
- Large game pieces (like dice, chess pieces, etc.)
- Matchbox shrines
- Small tins or crocks (like the kind lip balm comes in)
- Large charms
- Clock or watch faces
- Compasses
- Stones or pebbles
- Shells
- Sea glass
- Marbles
- Soda caps or tabs
Do not forget to layer on fabric, fun fibers, mulberry paper, paint, and ephemera. Add glitter glue, shake on glitter, and see how embossing powder would work. Because such a small piece is being manipulated, it is okay to go through the trial and error process. That is part of the learning curve – making mistakes and making discoveries. Some of the best work mixed media artists create is by accident.
It is possible to find materials specifically for working with ceramic tile, and there is nothing wrong with making those choices. Trying alternatives is fun, but it is not for everyone. This is particularly true for those who are working on a themed piece of mixed media art, or for those who are creating a detailed piece.
Note: Regular white school glue will not work as the initial layer of adhesive. It will eventually either peel or items will pop off. It is, however, good for layering porous items to each other. If you are working on this project with children, be sure to supervise them when using the stronger (or hot) adhesives. Children like working independently, so do not be surprised if you see them attempting this project on their own.
