| Everyone likes to personalize their space, be it at | | | | having to finish everything in one sitting, |
| home or work. A great way to do this is with | | | | preferably with good ventilation. |
| easily created custom hand painted ceramic tiles. | | | | That's it! Told you it would be simple. So what are |
| Useful sizes are the 4" x 4" up to the 12" x 12". I | | | | you going to paint? That's up to you, and should |
| find the under 4" x 4" tiles to be too small for | | | | be something you're comfortable with as far as |
| display, and the larger 18" x 18" too large for | | | | skill level goes. I personally prefer to do abstract |
| displaying on a plate easel. The 18" x 18" tiles | | | | paintings, as they are personal and unique to |
| would work display nicely framed and hung on the | | | | myself. Others prefer to do floral renditions, wild |
| wall, or inserted as a end table or coffee table | | | | life, or whatever else may take their fancy. |
| top, with a glass cover. | | | | Remember, tiles are an inexpensive canvas on |
| The best tiles I've found to use are the ones that | | | | which to paint. I can purchase the unglazed |
| are unglazed. If you use glazed tiles you have to | | | | ceramic tiles (12" x 12") where I live for less than |
| roughen the glaze enough so that the primer will | | | | $1 each. Even considering the cost of paint, |
| adhere to the surface. | | | | brushes and polyurethane, I can have beautiful |
| The supplies you'll absolutely need are: | | | | custom painted tiles for less than $5 each, and |
| - Tiles, preferable unglazed | | | | can sell them for around $30 or more each, when |
| - Acrylic or oil paint. Acrylic is faster drying and | | | | I wish to part with them. They also make great |
| easier clean up, oil may be more durable over the | | | | gifts for giving to family and friends. So what are |
| long term but is much slower drying. Acrylic latex | | | | you waiting for? Go grab some old clothes, set up |
| indoor/outdoor paint also works. | | | | a table with a plastic drop cloth, grab your paints |
| - Clear polyurethane appropriate for the paint | | | | and tile and get started! |
| you've chosen. I prefer the water based over | | | | If you need inspiration for ideas, do a search on |
| acrylic paint. | | | | google for "acrylic painting on tile" and then click |
| - Something to paint with, as simple as your | | | | on images at the top. If you do a lot of image |
| fingers, sponges, brushes or any other creative | | | | browsing on google you should consider |
| tool you can think of. | | | | downloading and installing cooliris. I use it all the |
| - Work space where you can work without | | | | time! Oh, and best part, it's a free download. |