Question from Bronwyn

I am about to start a project thats big for me having only done small tables and mirror putting up an oval portico/gazebo in pool area i decided to mosaic the floor. trying to work with theme colours already there and what both my husband and I like/love i am very nervous about covering area 11 foot by 6.5 foot don’t ask me in metres!

I have a picture in my mind and have been reading everything i can get my hands on in your wonderful site. I have done drawings etc but like your idea about working with computer where can i get more help with that? I would like to work with yin/yan flowing sun rays and convert the norm of feng sheu animals to territory critters Turtle can stay turtlte, dragon to dragonfly, temple lion to frilled neck lizard and bird to jaburi. and appropiate compass points etc but its all got very daunting and nerve wrecking am wanting to use tiles that are terricotta/oranges to cream and royal blue thro to pale blues only. also since on floor am wondering if wasting time maybe since some areas will be covered maybe just do circles of masaics and tile thro rest?

See I have no idea. Please any one with ideas or suggestions? Should i draw one huge big template first or just chalk basic design the pen in once firm and starting mosaic? any suggestions appreciated thanks 😕

Reply from Brett

Hi, thanks for your question.

OK A couple of things.

Firstly, do you plan to have your floor perfectly flat? If so, you’re really going to have to lay the work indirect. It is possible to get it pretty much flat with a direct method (and that’s covered in one of the tutorials), but it’s a tall order I’d suggest you practice the method several times before attempting a project as large as yours.

Realistically though you should use an indirect method for your installation. Unfortunately I don’t cover that in the tutorials yet, but stay posted as I’m doing several indirect projects on end have been recording the method on film.

Secondly, for a project that size, I’d probably do the design on the computer, but would transfer it to full size by hand drawing it. It’s just too big to try and reproduce by printing on A4 paper. I’d basically grid the design on the computer enlarge the grid on brown paper (or on your mosaic substrate if you’re laying direct) and copy it.

Whether to use small mosaic sections within a tiled area, or go with a full detailed mosaic is your preference, but it will take a long long time (6 weeks full time for me!) to create a mosaic that size. It would be a fantastic project to pursue though, that’s for sure.

As to learning drawing projects on the computer, well I can’t be of much help there I’m afraid. I self-taught myself Photoshop, and that was a big challenge I can tell you. There is a great online help system with the program though many sites on the web with tips and tricks. It all depends which program you are using, and how determined you are to teach yourself.

Hope that is of some help.

Best

Brett

Reply from Bronwyn

Thanks for your time. I figured most of what you said. Guess didnt want to face it! I have started doing full size layouts i have accepted that it was not going to be completly flat as its near a pool area hoped more texture may mean less slipping?! If wet came early was considering doing indirect method yes.

Any ways have been trying to explain to hubby its a big project and will take weeks! Glad you printed that – I keep saying well it would take Brett Campbell 6-8 weeks and he’s expert! So now I have back up. Guess patience perserverance and a late wet season is all I can ask! Appreciate all site and imput HUGE help love your work – praying for big lotto win so i can commission pay for you and yours to come and do it!!!!!!

No it will be a good achievement for me may be some time – but will send a pic

Cheers

Bronwyn.

Reply from Brett

Hi Bronwyn

If you are going to go for a bit of texture in your work to avoid slipping by the pool, make sure you file or grind off your sharp edges – you’ll be glad you did this before you lay the tile.

Patience & perserverance is the main thing as you say.

Best luck

Brett

Reply from Garry

Hi Bronwyn,
I’m doing a floor now, 2m X 1.5m. That’s about 6ft. by 4ft 6″”. I think?
I did my plan on a sheet of A4 paper, and drew a grid over it about 20mm X 15mm. I did the same grid on the floor only larger, and transferred the points with a Texta, joined up the points to give a fair sort of a replica picture on the cement.
The main parts of the picture I did indirect using contact paper, the reason being you need a floor to be even flat and no sharp edges to cut your feet. Indirect is very tricky, I am looking forward to seeing Brett’s tutorials on the subject. I have some very sticky contact paper, and sandwich the whole thing between two boards when I flip it over. Very stressful! I mainly used floor tiles because they are not so slippery. The trouble with cutting floor tiles is they are very thick and very hard…a wet saw comes in handy.
I like the idea of your design, and hope to see a picture of the finished job. I’ve been two months on mine, collecting tiles and pictures, setting it out, and cutting with the tile saw. I’ve got huge bits of paper stuck around on walls with my designs so that I can see them and change them.
A glue I have found good for wet areas is called Optima. It is a two part white powder/white liquid. Pretty expensive for a big area, but it is totally suited to wet or even submerged areas.
Good luck,
Garry.