How to Make a Mermaid Tile

Mermaids have long been popular subjects for artists.

Mermaids are fantastical creatures that are half human and half fish. These creatures have long been the subject of human imagination, and they have found their way into fairy tales, fantasy books and films. There is a mysterious quality to the mermaid that never seems to leave the psyche, so that the form of the mermaid is often favored by both children and adults. If you would like to bring your own mermaid into a bathroom tile surround, it can be an enjoyable and interesting project.

Things You'll Need

• Bisque tile
• Rubber stamp
• Ceramic tile pigment black
• Bisque paints
• Fine art brushes
• Clear glaze
• Kiln

Instructions

1. Place two or three bisque tiles on the worktable. A bisque tile is clay that has already been shaped and fired in a kiln one time. This type of tile is commonly available at public ceramic decoration stores.

2. Cut out the mermaid design that you want to use from your rubber stamp sheet. Attach the stamp to a handle. Rubber stamp handles are sold at craft stores where the stamp sheets are sold. Print out a photocopy of the mermaid at its correct size.

3. Place graphite transfer paper with the graphite side down over the face of the tile. Do not use carbon transfer paper. Position the photocopy of the mermaid over the transfer paper, and trace the outline of the main sections of the mermaid where she changes color. Do not trace the detail lines. Repeat this for all the tiles.

4. Remove the tracing paper and paint the main sections of the mermaid using the ceramic paint colors you want. Paint each tile using the colors or techniques differently, since it is hard to determine what will create the best finished tile.

5. Coat your rubber stamp surface with traditional black ceramic paint used for bisque. Stamp each tile to increase your odds of one tile turning out particularly well. Carefully finish with a clear overglaze. (Follow the glazing tips of the shop owner, since each kiln produces slightly different results.) Give your tiles to the shop owner for firing.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also try making raw clay tiles and pressing the rubber stamp into the clay after the clay is rolled out to leave an impression of the mermaid. You can later antique the recessed lines to bring out the details.

References

• "Image Transfer on Clay: Screen, Relief, Decal & Monoprint Techniques"; Paul Andrew Wandless; 2006
• The Enchanted Gallery: Sire 114
• Ceramic Art Space: Tiles Bisque Unpainted Use Underglazes 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"