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Sun Painted Tiles

This project developed from a desire for more coloured tiles to be used in mosaic.

Initially what I did was to apply the sun paint directly onto a wet unglazed tile. I allowed the tile to dry, then heat set it in the oven (150 degrees), then washed the 
tile under running water. The resulting tiles were then used in mosaic work I was doing at the time. These tiles subsequently withstood the grouting process, even with cement, extremely well. Result: a stunning piece of work!!

*Note: Before grouting the tiles were sealed with white wax polish.

While I was doing mosaics, it occurred to me to use the sun paint, not only as a dye for the unglazed tiles, but to try the sun paint method on the unglazed tiles and see how that
would work. Voila!! Fabulously original unglazed tiles just ready for any number of conceivable projects, from decorative art to functional art.

 

Tile Trivet(Pot Stand) Requirements:

  • Dala Sun Colour (Colour of your choice)
  • No 10 paint brush
  • Unglazed tile, either home made or commercial (Obtainable from tile outlets. I have used commercial Johnson tiles)
  • Frame to hold the tile
  • Flowers, leaves, grasses and other organic materials
  • Salt (Optional, for special effect) Alternatively, paper cut outs (unused decoupage cut outs are ideal)
  • Dala Podge
  • Sponge (optional for sealing paper cut outs)
  • Nova 17 matt
  • Turpentine
  1. Wet the unglazed tiles so that they will absorb the sun paint evenly.
  2. Apply the sun paint. Spread the paint out with a brush if needed.
  3. Arrange the organic materials or paper cut outs in a pleasing design.
  4. Place outside in the sun, and allow the tile to dry. (Allow the sun paint to process).
  5. Remove the organic materials or paper cut outs.
  6. Under running water, rinse the tile to remove the excess dye.

Place the wet tile in a oven. Set the temperature at 150 degrees. When the oven has reached the correct temperature, switch the oven off and allow the tile to cool in the oven before removing. To obtain a heat resistant tile, for the pot stand, seal with Nova 17. Clean brush with Turps afterwards.

 

Heat Set:
Place the wet tile in a oven. Set the temperature at 150 degrees. When the oven has reached the correct temperature, switch the oven off and allow the tile to cool in the oven before removing.

Sealing:
To obtain a heat resistant tile, for the pot stand, seal with Nova 17.Clean brush with Turps afterwards.

Tip: Occasionally, tiles don't turn out the way you planned them! Don't despair! This is the perfect opportunity for making

Requirements:

  • Liner bottle
  • Casting rubber (resist)
  • Student acrylic (own colour choice)
  • Sun painted tiles

 

Method:

  1. Place the casting rubber into a liner bottle.
  2. Using the casting rubber as a resist, line a design onto the tile.
  3. Allow to dry. (The liner will go on milky and dry clear)
  4. Using a paint brush and student acrylic, brush a layer of paint over the entire tile, allow to dry.
  5. Remove the resist by simply pulling the casting rubber off.
  6. Seal with Nova 17, or white Cobra wax. (!) Not both

     


Note:
Sealing tiles for mosaic, use white wax. Sealing tiles for heat resistant pot stand, use Nova 17. You do not want to wax and varnish, either wax varnish.

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