Ceramic or clay projects are truly one of the most cherished of all creative keepsakes in elementary school. And for good reason. Those treasured plaques, handprints and pumpkins are simply adorable. And they’re fun to do. I’ve never had a child balk at the sight of clay. Instead, most children can’t wait to mold, sculpt and shape their visions into permanent pieces. Now take those clay projects a step farther by creating a beautiful ceramic tile mural.
You can do it.
Many of my readers have asked me to explain all the steps involved in making a clay project, but to do so properly, would make a very long post. I’ve also received many, many queries regarding the murals, and now I can finally share what I’ve learned from my fantastic ceramic mentor, Catherine Vallance. It has taken years to accumulate the photos of the students work, showing visually what to expect every step of the way. This is an information dense packet that will guide you through all the steps. I know you will love it.
If you’ve never considered making a ceramic mural before, consider taking a few minutes to read this: Mural.
My PDF booklet Ceramic Murals breaks down all the steps necessary to teach ceramics to your students or children. Never worked with clay before? No problem. I’ve explained the properties of clay so that even the novice teacher can lead a class through the steps. I can say this because I was once a novice as well. And it’s worth noting that most of the students working on the murals have never worked with ceramics before, either. It’s really not as hard as it looks but it’s important to know the basics and the proper steps.
The 21-page PDf Booklet includes:
- Complete instructions for making a beautiful, ceramic tile mural, complete with working photos, timelines, organizational tips and pictures of finished murals.
- The language of all things “ceramics” broken down in understandable terms.
- Photo tutorials for each step of the way, including: Types of Murals, Drawing, Understand Clay & Building Your Tile, Drying, Under-glazing and Glazing, Firing & Kiln Work, Mounting.
- Murals types include: Pictorial, Grid and Organic Mosaic.
Ceramics can be easy but unless you understand the basics, so many things can go wrong.
Hopefully, this guide will give you the confidence to help beautify your school with these colorful murals.
This Ceramic Project Booklet is only $8
Like all my PDF Art Lesson booklets, Ceramic projects is only available for download. The booklet will not be mailed or emailed. All you have to do is click on the Add to Cart button and follow the prompts. If you run into problems, check out my Customer Support page under PRODUCTS in the menu bar.
Have fun!
Patty
Your site is so WONDERFUL! I am a first year art teacher, and I want to do a ceramic mural with my fifth graders. This PDF will help so much with the process. Thank you for sharing your ideas! -Carly
Hi Patty,
I am so thankful for your site. You inspire me! I visited Artsy_2 on Flickr after reading about the Expression Portraits that you had posted. When I was on her site, she had mentioned that she had work also posted on Artsonia. I was wondering if you knew what the name of her school or city and state is? Also, do you post on Artsonia? As always, I look forward to my daily check-ins to your site/blog.
Thank you for all that you do for our field!
Hi,
I don’t know where Artsy 2 teaches. All that I know of her is on her Flickr page. I don’t post on Artsonia. I sued to but this blog is all I have time for!
I received this email form Janet from Ontario, Canada and thought her questions would be relevant to others….
Hi Patty,
This spring I ordered your ceramic tile pdf booklet. Like all of your ideas, it has me all “fired up” and wanting to start my own project. I teach Grade One to a class of 16 students. I am interested in trying this as a class project, and if all goes well doing a school wide project with the 125 kids in our school. Perhaps I am crazy because I have no ceramics experience, but then again I am just coming off a one year leave for breast cancer. Nothing is impossible!
A couple of questions: I know you teach in a warm climate but I seem to recall that you are Canadian… is this indoor outdoor in California only, or could it survive an Eastern Ontario winter?
Glazes… how many colours should I buy?
How many tiles does 50 lbs of clay produce?
Is there a reason you don’t buy your clay, glazes, and tools from the same place? (I know there is, but I am wondering what it is).
I read the booklet twice but I think my brain is a bit fried, I hope I am not asking questions you already answered in the booklet.
I hope you are enjoying a lovely summer! Thank you so much for your time, expertise, and generosity in sharing your ideas.
Here is my response:
Weather: The murals hold up well in our climate and I have no reason to believe they wouldn’t do well in Ontario. You may want to ask about the bonding agent (glue) and the grout from your local hardware store. Show the store guys what I have used and see if another product might be better for your climate. I’m thinking that the freezing temps might have an impact.
Glazes: Completely up to you, but you’ll only need to purchase one pint of each color. Look at your theme and identify the elements which may need color. Go from there.
Clay:50 lbs of clay generally gets me 40-50 tiles. About 20-25 tiles per bag (if you buy the cutter I mentioned).
Sources: No reason. Just better prices and brands. In Canada, for instance, you may not have access to Laguna Clay company, so you would have to find
Another supplier. If you ever have questions about the products, call the supplier and ask for advice. They really know their products.
I have already read the PDF booklet several times. I completely understand how to make the ceramic tiles. I have experience teaching ceramics. What I don’t understand is how to install the mural to the wall. I know that you said to build a frame. Should the frame be hung to the wall before attaching the tiles? or Should I attach the tiles, and then hang it to the wall? I would love your thoughts on this. Thanks.
Hi Holly,
The frame is build 1st. Then the backer board is cut to match the frame dimensions, although it probably doesn’t matter which is cut first. The backer board is installed to the exterior wall surface. The frame is installed to the backer board. At this point the tiles can be mounted on the backer board (which is on the wall).
It would be far too heavy to lift the mural if the tiles were mounted to the backerboard that was not already mounted to the wall. I think that is your concern, right?
I hope this helps…I can see where it wasn’t explained exactly and the pictures of the backerboard and adhesive doesn’t exactly show that it is already wall mounted. Have fun!
Thanks so much. I am very excited to try this project. I am nervous about the installation process, but I think I have a grasp on it now. Thanks for your expertise.
Hi there,
I just read through your booklet, can you give information on the tile spacers that you use and step-by-step tips for grouting?
Happy Holidays,
Thanks!
Hi, I just read though your booklet. Can you tell me more about the tiles spacers that you use and step-by-step tips on grouting including the brand you use?
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Would this be possible to use with ready made ceramic tiles that you would buy at Lowe’s and use sharpies?
The mounting part yes, but the instructions are for clay created tiles and firing techniques, etc. To do glazed ceramic tiles with sharpies is a project that doesn’t have a huge amount of staying power unless you seal it very well but even then it will fade over time. Can you try bisque tile and underglaze? That way, the art work is slightly more permanent.
I would love to make a mural with tiles, but do not have a kiln. Do you have information about creating a mural with tiles?
All of the mural projects that I have done involves firing tiles. If you use pre-fired tiles, such as the ones you buy at a hardware or tile store, they would require a special type of paint or even the use of Sharpie markers for the art. In my experience, this doesn’t produce art work that is long-lasting.
The work of installing this type of mural is equal to installing a mural of fired tiles.
You could do a tile mosaic, which wouldn’t require any artwork on the tile itself.
Okay Thank you very much