The use of Persian tiles can be seen in most prominent buildings in Iran. There are two basic types of mosaics used. The first, and the oldest, are designs that are made from many small pieces of pottery cut to create a design. The second, called Ghlami, was introduced to Persia around 1200 A.D. after the Persians conquered Timur. They learned the Chinese technique of adding many colors to a single tile. Ghlami is created by painting designs directly on ceramic tiles. An entire design can be painted on a single tile or the design can be painted on multiple tiles. Our Persian Tiles Art Project will introduce children to the beauty of Persian tile work, and help them understand how individual tiles can come together to create designs.
We are sharing two different ways to experience the beauty of Persian tiles and suggest other alternatives. In the first method, we will be coloring our design on paper and decoupaging it to tiles. This is NOT authentic, but does give children, especially younger children, an opportunity to create authentic looking tiles. In the second method, the design will be transferred to a six inch tile and painting will occur directly on the tile. As an alternative, you may want to create your own design and use either method to create your tile. Finally, you can get the feel of the design without actually creating the tiles. Simply color the 4 four inch tiles on paper, cut them out, and tape them together. In doing so, children can see how bringing the 4 tiles together creates a new design in the center.
Materials for Persian Tiles Art Project
- air drying clay*
- pattern
- colored pencils (decoupage tiles)
- Modge Podge
- acrylic paint (painted tiles)
- tape (optional for paper only tiles)
Supplies for Persian Tiles Art Project
- rolling pin
- waxed paper
- ruler
- sharp knife
- paint brushes
- emery board
- sand paper (painted tiles)
- needle (painted tiles)
- knitting or yarn needle (painted tiles)
- wood trivet frame or a cork tile holder for 6 inch tiles (optional)
Directions for Decoupaged Tiles – Makes 4 four inch tiles
NOTE: If you are making clay tiles, it is a good idea to make your tiles first. They can take 3 or 4 days to air dry.
Print a copy of the Pattern. You now have 2 choices. First, you can color 1 four inch square then make 4 copies of it. Or, if your child really enjoys coloring, you can print four blank pattern sheets and have them color each one separately. If they choose to color four tiles, make sure to have them color them identically.
No matter which method you used for coloring your designs, cut out the four designs. If you are making clay tiles, remove the grey outline. If you are making a paper design, leave the grey lines on when you cut out the tiles.
If you do not wish to create clay tiles, turn your 4 designs over and tape them together creating a square. When you turn your design over, notice how a new design is created in the center of the tiles.
For this project, you can use any air drying clay. I use La Doll Natural Stone Clay because it so smooth and the dried pieces can be sanded.
Take a piece of clay and place it on a piece of waxed paper. Roll it out so it is 1/4 inch thick.
Measure and accurately cut out 4 four inch squares of clay using the point of a sharp knife.
Allow your squares to completely dry. Depending on humidity, this can take several days. As the tiles are drying, especially in the beginning, turn them over frequently so the corners do not curl.
When the clay has dried completely, use an emery board or sand paper to sand off any rough or uneven edges. Wipe off any dust that is created.
Brush Modge Podge on the back of one of the four inch squares that you colored and cut out.
Place the design on the tile making sure to line up the design and smoothing the design to remove any air bubbles behind the print. Glue the other paper squares to the remaining tiles.
Brush a layer of Modge Podge on each tile, making sure to cover the entire tile. Drag the brush in the same direction. When the Modge Podge has dried, turn the tile and put a second coat of sealer on the tile, this time going in the opposite direction. Allow to dry completely. Note: Even after the tiles have dried, do not stack them on one another. The tiles may stick together.
You can now try positioning your tiles in various configurations. When the four tiles are place together in a square, notice how a new design forms in the middle. To permanently display your tiles, they can be glue to a framed board and you can use groat between them. Because they are made with air dried clay, this should be used for displaying only. They are more fragile than kiln dried clay and can crack or crumble is over used.
Directions for Painted Tiles – Makes 1 six inch tile
Roll out the tile as described above but cut out a 6 inch square. There are now 2 different ways you can proceed. The first, NOT PICTURED, is to allow the tile to try completely, turning it over frequently as it dries. Cut out the 6 inch paper pattern. When the tile dries, transfer the design to the tile. Using acrylic paints, paint the spaces. When the paint dries, use dark gray or black paint or a permanent marker to outline the individual design elements. Finish the tile with Modge Podge as described above. This is the easiest technique for young children. The second technique is described in the next step.
While the clay is still wet, place the cut out six inch pattern over the tile.
Using a needle, transfer the design to the clay by pricking through the design lines into the wet clay.
Remove the paper.
Using the side tip of a skewer or knitting needle, press the design into the clay over the pin pricks.
When finished, allow the tile to dry completely, turning over frequently. After the tile has dried, go over the top of design removing any rough edges of the design. Use the sandpaper or emery board along the edges.
Using acrylic paints, paint the tile, keeping the paint on the top surface of the tile. Try not to get paints in the crevices.
If you get some paint in the crevices, you can clean it by carefully scrapping the crevice with the tip of your knitting needle, loop of a bobby pin, or the tip of a mechanical pencil with the lead removed.
Finish with 2 coats of Modge Podge as described above.
To permanently display the tile, it can be seat in a wood trivet frame or a cork tile holder for 6 inch tiles.
