Tile Commissions
These tile sets are designed to fit specific locations, including kitchens, bathrooms and fire surrounds. I enjoy the interaction with the client, discussing ideas and reworking sketches and designs until the final composition is determined. It is only by following this approach that I can achieve a unique tile design for your home. The aim being that these commissions fit not only the space intended but relate to the room, the family and the whole environment.
PROCEDURE.
Before our initial meeting it is important that you have furnished me with a simple list including theme and colour preferences and a rough idea of position and proportions of the area to be covered. Once I have this information (by email or post) I will sketch out some preliminary designs to submit.
When the design is agreed I will pay you a visit to measure the dimensions and ascertain the positioning of any plug sockets, plumbing, cupboards and interior structures. It is most important that any wiring, pipework or hidden dangers are made known to me at this stage.
Returning to the studio I will start the mural by cutting the bisket tiles to the desired size. The composition is then sketched out in charcoal and any resist work added before painting in with the brush. The colours used are all pigments made from oxides and minerals many of which are traditional recipes. These are weighed and mixed and ground by pestle and mortar to the required grade. It's quite confusing looking at the decoration at this stage because many of the natural oxides used don't resemble their final appearance. Cobalt, copper and manganese all look black but once glazed and fired will emerge as blues, greens and mauves. Black sky, black grass and black water; you have to think in another visual dimension when working in oxides.
Once painted the tiles are sprayed with glaze before being stacked on racks and placed in the kiln. The glaze is of a safety approved standard and when fired will have all the recognised qualities of an industrial fired tile. The kiln is fired to a temperature of 1080 degrees and allowed to cool slowly. We don't want any cracking at this stage. Next I have the fun job of laying out the tiles like some huge jigsaw. Adjustments are then carried out with up to six firings sometimes necessary before the final piece is ready for viewing.
FITTING.
As with all tile fitting there will be some on-site trimming needed. I will be happy to arrange the trimming, cementing and grouting work necessary.
CONTRACT AND PRICE.
Until the final design is agreed only the preliminary sketches will be invoiced for . The submitted tile designs will be individually priced. Starting at £1200 per square metre excluding fitting.
Once the final design has been agreed a deposit will be required with the balance paid on installation.
PLEASE NOTE.
I. The client must respect that not all colours can be perfectly reproduced in the ceramics process but that every effort will be made to match them as closely as possible.
II. The artist would like the client's consent to photograph the site before and after fitting for further reference.
III. The artist cannot be held responsible for any accidents due to insufficient information regarding hidden wiring, plumbing, unsound walls, etc.
PROCEDURE.
Before our initial meeting it is important that you have furnished me with a simple list including theme and colour preferences and a rough idea of position and proportions of the area to be covered. Once I have this information (by email or post) I will sketch out some preliminary designs to submit.
When the design is agreed I will pay you a visit to measure the dimensions and ascertain the positioning of any plug sockets, plumbing, cupboards and interior structures. It is most important that any wiring, pipework or hidden dangers are made known to me at this stage.
Returning to the studio I will start the mural by cutting the bisket tiles to the desired size. The composition is then sketched out in charcoal and any resist work added before painting in with the brush. The colours used are all pigments made from oxides and minerals many of which are traditional recipes. These are weighed and mixed and ground by pestle and mortar to the required grade. It's quite confusing looking at the decoration at this stage because many of the natural oxides used don't resemble their final appearance. Cobalt, copper and manganese all look black but once glazed and fired will emerge as blues, greens and mauves. Black sky, black grass and black water; you have to think in another visual dimension when working in oxides.
Once painted the tiles are sprayed with glaze before being stacked on racks and placed in the kiln. The glaze is of a safety approved standard and when fired will have all the recognised qualities of an industrial fired tile. The kiln is fired to a temperature of 1080 degrees and allowed to cool slowly. We don't want any cracking at this stage. Next I have the fun job of laying out the tiles like some huge jigsaw. Adjustments are then carried out with up to six firings sometimes necessary before the final piece is ready for viewing.
FITTING.
As with all tile fitting there will be some on-site trimming needed. I will be happy to arrange the trimming, cementing and grouting work necessary.
CONTRACT AND PRICE.
Until the final design is agreed only the preliminary sketches will be invoiced for . The submitted tile designs will be individually priced. Starting at £1200 per square metre excluding fitting.
Once the final design has been agreed a deposit will be required with the balance paid on installation.
PLEASE NOTE.
I. The client must respect that not all colours can be perfectly reproduced in the ceramics process but that every effort will be made to match them as closely as possible.
II. The artist would like the client's consent to photograph the site before and after fitting for further reference.
III. The artist cannot be held responsible for any accidents due to insufficient information regarding hidden wiring, plumbing, unsound walls, etc.
