Picking Your Pattern

Deciding upon the right design or pattern for your mosaic can be a difficult task. Too much detail and the effect can be lost in a mosaic. Too simple and you may end up with a big blob on your surface.

It can be very overwhelming if you don't know what you want at all. Below you will find some places to look for design ideas.

1. Coloring book pages are wonderful. The designs are large and open so there isn't too much detail to worry about. These are especially good for holidays designs.
2. Look around you. Dishtowels, decorative bowls, paper towel designs, etc. Most household items have simple details that would be great for a mosaic.
3. Other crafts give loads of ideas. Cross stitch patterns, quilt designs, and embroidery pieces are great because they are simple.
4. Look to nature. Find a good National Geographic magazine and look for a close up of a butterfly, frog, or whatever else they are lucky to get a shot. The closeups usually are pretty simple without too much detail.
5. If you are into symmetry, then do an image search for tessellations. This is a mathematical design that repeats itself symmetrically using slides (translations), turns (rotations), and flips (reflections). These are usually pretty simple designs but they look intricate.

THE DON'TS OF FINDING DESIGNS!!!!!

This is a very important section. Please read it fully...

1. DON'T copy the artwork of another artist. This is copyright infringement and can get you into lots of trouble. If you see a painting that you really want to copy, then ask the artist for permission first. If they say no, then forget about it.

I hope these tips will help you in choosing the pattern that you are about to use on your mosaic. It really can mean the difference between a good end and a bad end result.