How to Draw Mosaic Patterns for a Tile Mosaic Project

A tile mosaic turns walls, floors and furniture surfaces into a work of art. Designing the mosaic on paper first ensures you get just the look you want. The difficult part isn't drawing the design, but transferring it to the tiling surface. Using a simple design method on paper allows you to create a mosaic that exactly mirrors your concept drawing.

1. 
   

   Measure the surface area where you are tiling. Transfer the measurements to a piece of
   graph paper. One grid on the graph paper equals one square inch of
   the tiling surface.

   
   


2. 
   

   Draw the pattern onto the
   graph paper using colored pencils to simulate the different tile colors. Create drawings of multiple designs to choose between,
   if desired.

   
   


3. 
   

   Divide grids on the paper
   in half to create angles and curves. Make the colored
   pencil lines sharp enough so you can easily determine the design
   when you transfer it to the mosaic.

   
   


4. 
   

   Trace a design onto the
   grid paper instead of creating your own. Place your design face-up
   on a light table. Lay the grid paper on top. The light table allows
   you to view the design on the paper beneath as you trace. If the
   lines aren't easily visible, draw over them with a black marker to
   make the lines bolder before laying the graph paper on top.

   
   


5. 
   

   Transfer the grid to the
   tiling area. Use a yard stick and a pencil to create a base of
   1-by-1-inch grids.

   
   


6. 
   

   Refer to the graph paper
   layout drawing when adhering the tile to the surface. The grids on
   the paper correspond with the grids on the tiling area, so you only
   need to place the correct color and shape in each grid drawn.