| There are different methods you can use to make | | | | since it is the face of your tesserae that is glued to |
| your mosaics. The following is a description of the | | | | the paper. |
| most popular methods. All have pros and cons | | | | The only disadvantage of this method is that you do |
| depending on the type and size of your mosaic you | | | | not see your mosaic come to life since you are gluing |
| are about to create. | | | | all your pieces face down onto an opaque paper. |
| Direct Method | | | | Your mosaic will become visible only when you wash |
| The first method is the direct method. The direct | | | | away the paper. |
| method involves directly placing the individual pieces | | | | Double Direct Method |
| of tile, called tesserae, directly onto the surface | | | | The double direct method is a modern version of the |
| where your mosaic will be. This method is nice when | | | | direct method. It is sort of a combination of the |
| doing small projects such as flower pots, or for | | | | indirect and direct methods. This method involves |
| surfaces having a three-dimensional look, such as | | | | gluing your individual pieces of tile onto a fibreglass |
| walls. You will have a dimensional look if your pieces | | | | mesh. |
| of tesserae are not all the same thickness. | | | | You can use this method for large projects, and it is |
| Another nice thing about this method is that you see | | | | a very good method when you are making mosaic |
| your mosaic take life, and as it takes life you can | | | | borders. You also have the leisure of working where |
| make little adjustments. However this method is not | | | | you want, like you would with the indirect method, |
| suited for large projects and for mosaics needing an | | | | and seeing your mosaic evolve as you are adding |
| even surface such as a floor mosaic. | | | | pieces, like you would with the direct method. |
| Indirect Method | | | | This is the method I prefer, I really cannot see any |
| The next possible method you can use is the indirect | | | | big disadvantage using this method, it is a bit longer |
| method. This method involves gluing your tesserae | | | | to create your mosaic but you can really see your |
| face down on a paper backing. Once it is completed | | | | mosaic come to life and make little adjustments along |
| you can then transfer the mosaic sheets into your | | | | the way. |
| mortar where it will permanently reside. Once the | | | | So the method you decide to use to make your |
| mortar has dried you then wash away the paper to | | | | mosaic might depend on your project but you have |
| reveal your art work. | | | | the final word, use the method you think will work |
| This method is used for large projects because it | | | | for you. As a beginner I recommend you make small |
| allows you to work away from the site and gives | | | | projects using the direct method. As you become |
| you more time. You can also divide your mosaic into | | | | experienced and want to make larger mosaics go |
| smaller sheets of one or two square feet. This | | | | towards the double direct method. Once you are at |
| method will also give your mosaic an even surface | | | | ease with this try your hand at the indirect method. |