These paintings move older students to a different level in two dimensional expression.

History has taught us to repeat a technique and make it adapt to our environment and available materials. This new material borrowed from decorative painting on household items transfers to an exciting fine art material.

In this experience, a student must design within a square shape and paint with water-based paint on a ceramic or glass-like surface. Colors mix to achieve beautiful results when fired in a home oven. The hard ceramic glaze-like finish is slightly raised.

Grade Levels

High School

Time Required

1-3 Class Sessions (45-60 minutes)

Lesson Objectives

After completing this lesson, students would be able to:

1. Adapt to these traditionally decorative painting materials and use them to create fine art.
2. Design within a square format.

Procedure

Step 1: Clean and Design Tiles

1. If using glazed tiles: Wash with soap and water. Draw design with regular pencil. Wash off with soap and water to change.
2. If using unglazed tiles: Brush with a stiff brush to remove dust. Draw design with a thin white pencil. Your design will not wash off. Cover errors with paint.

Step 2: Paint

1. The brushes suggested in the materials section are easily cleaned with soap and water and hold up well on a multitude of surfaces. They are soft enough not to pick up paint or leave streaks.
2. Mix colors on a palette. Keep it small! The paint goes a long way but dries in about an hour and cannot be saved or returned to the bottle.
3. Paint can be layered.

Step 3: Bake Tiles

1. Put tile or tiles on a cookie sheet with edges.
2. Place in oven.
3. Set heat for temperature on paint label. Let heat reach desired temperature before setting timer for recommended time.
4. After baking is complete, turn off oven but allow tiles to cool in the oven with the door closed.

Step 4: Finishing Suggestions

1. Glue to a small wood board leaving 1" to 2" around. Use sawtooth or screw eyes and wire to hang.
2. Use 4 rubber or plastic bumpers on each corner of the back for a hot plate or trivet.
3. Smaller tiles may be glued to a piece of mat board.
4. Use the tile(s) in the Glass Mosaic Panels or Tiles project.