Step-by-step instructions for how to create a tile mosaic

1. Watch “Lori Krein’s Art Studio”
San Jose Comcast Channel 15
Mondays at noon!
Or watch on demand…www.CreaTVsj.com
Episode #3:
How to Create a Mosaic Tile
Assemblage
LoriKreinStudios.com

2. Intro
I’ve always been a creative person, but I was never
good at drawing. Once I discovered collage, I never
looked back.
The most common questions about collage are about
where to get the specialty art papers. At the end of
this ebook, there is a list of resources.
Send me photos of you work! I will put them on my
website. Here’s your chance to share your creations
with the world!
Questions? Email me at LoriKrein@gmail.com, or
contact me through my website,
www.LoriKreinStudios.com

3. Supplies and Prep
You will need:
– One piece of specialty art paper for your background.
– Plastic box frame or any hard surface.
– Weldbond or other strong craft glue
– Sculpey, polymer, or other type of clay that you can bake in your home oven.
– Acrylic or craft paints, I like to use neutral colors.
– Variety of rubber stamps and other objects to make interesting patterns in the clay.
– Scissors, acrylic matte medium, paper towels, small container of water, rag or old towel.
To prepare for this project, cover a table with newspaper or an old tablecloth.
Wear an apron or old clothing.
Specialty art Plastic box frame Weldbond or Sculpey or
Acrylic or craft
papers or other hard other strong other clay Rubber Stamps
surface craft glue that you can paint
bake in your
home oven

4. Step 1: Prepare the Background
Cut the background paper slightly larger than the box frame, making sure you have enough
paper to go all the way around the sides and just slightly around the back. Cut squares from
the corners to make it easier to glue down the corners.
If you are using a plastic box frame, remove the cardboard backing and set aside.
Apply a coat of matte medium (thinned a little bit with water) to the paper.
Place paper onto box frame. Smooth out with your finger or paint brush to remove all the air
bubbles! Add more matte medium to the surface to make it easier to smooth out. Then wrap
the paper around the edges until the whole frame is covered.
I chose a natural colored lokta paper
(made in Nepal).

5. Step 2: Make the Tiles
Roll the clay out like dough, about 1/8”
thick.
Choose a rubber stamp pattern. Place
rubber stamp onto clay, and press
firmly.
Lift the stamp to reveal the pattern!
Repeat this process until you have used
up the clay you rolled out. Leave some
space between the patterns.
Cut the tiles into individual squares or
rectangles using a knife or other sharp
instrument.
Place the tiles onto a foil-lined cookie
sheet.
Bake in the oven, following the
directions on the package.

6. Step 3: Paint the Tiles
After the tiles have cooled, you can begin painting them.
Choose a neutral color. Dab on the paint using a slightly moist sponge or small paint brush.
Make sure you get the paint into all the nooks and crannies!
Wipe the excess paint off the tile using a slightly damp sponge (I cut a household sponge into
small squares) to reveal an antique look.

7. Step 4: Arrange the Tiles
Once the paint has dried, and the background is dry (about 24 hours) you
can begin arranging the tiles onto the hard surface.
Once you have decided on an arrangement you like, glue each piece onto
the surface. I use a small paintbrush to adhere the glue onto the back of
the pieces.

8. Step 5: Final Coat
After the assemblage has dried, you can coat
it with water-based polyurethane. I like to
use gloss, but you can also try a matte finish.
Mod Podge also works great!
If you used a plastic box frame, put the
cardboard backing back in place so you can
hang your artwork on the wall. If you used
something else as your canvas, you will need to
add a hanger onto the back.
Congratulations, your DONE! Now, wrap your
creation and give it as a gift or hang it in your
home and enjoy!

9. Resources
Decorative Art Paper:
Artpaper.com
Flaxart.com
Paper-source.com
Handmade-paper.us
Other art supplies (clay, paints, canvas, glue, brushes,
matte medium, etc.)
Michaels
Aaron Brothers
Utrecht

10. Thanks!
I hope you enjoyed this ebook!
Visit www.LoriKreinStudios.com to see more of my
artwork.
Check out my other ebooks! I’ll be adding more each
week.
Watch my show, “Lori Krein’s Art Studio” Mondays at
noon, on CreaTV, Comcast channel 15, in San Jose, CA
or on demand at www.CreaTVSJ.com