Mosaics - indirect method

Prepare the backboard of the mosaic

• Cut the chipboard panel to the size you want.
• Assemble the lintels to make a chassis.
• Pierce holes in the lintels, which are the size of the screws to fix them to the panel.

• Cut the wire mesh to fit the dimensions of the chassis with wire cutters.
• Draw your mosaic image in its actual size on a sheet of paper and trace it onto the sheet of tracing paper.
• Turn over the sheet, retrace the shape with a felt tip pen and then fix the tracing paper with thumbtacks.
• Screw the lintels onto the panel. 

Cut out, place and dry the tesserae of the mosaic

• Cut out the enamels with the Japanese pliers and the granite tesserae with the marteline (a small pick axe)
• Prepare the upholstery glue following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Stick the tesserae on the back, with the shiny surface on the tracing paper and always starting on the outside, moving inwards.
• Leave small spaces (about 1mm) between the tesserae.
• Leave to dry for about 24 hours. 

Pour, dry and tidy up the cement on the mosaic

• Prepare some not very viscous cement without sand in it and pour it inbetween the tesserae.
• Make some more of the mixture and this time, mix the sand and the cement at a 3:1. After the sand has been added, the mixture resulting should be like a thick cream.
• Pour this slip clay, not waiting to give the first mixture the time to dry, until it reaches halfway up the chassis. 
• Place down the wire mesh and cover it with a second coat of slip clay. Fill up the chassis to the top.
• Smooth over the surface using a trowel.
• Leave the flagstone to dry depending on the size of the mosaic and the weather: 10 days for dry weather 20 days for rainy days.  
• Remove the thumtacks and screws and tap lightly on the lintens to remove them.
• Turn over and see what you have made!
• Detach the tracing paper with a sponge soaked in warm water.
• Rub the mosaic with a dry rag.