How I Plan a Mosaic from a Blank Substrate: Design First, Surface Second
When I start a mosaic, I don’t begin with the substrate.
I don’t sit there thinking “How do I decorate this bowl or wall?”
For me, the design comes first.
The subject is the show-stopper—the substrate is just where it lives.
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Step 1: Start with the Concept, Not the Surface
Let’s say I want to make poppies.
I don’t grab a pot and ask, “How do I cover this?”
I design the poppies first. I decide how I want them to look—bold, delicate, clustered, spaced—and I build the artwork around the flowers.
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Step 2: Repeat, Rearrange, and Group the Motif
Once I have the base design, I:
Repeat the elements—but not exactly the same each time.
Rearrange and group the shapes to fit the piece in a way that feels full, flowing, and aesthetically balanced.
This keeps the design alive and stops it from feeling like a stuck-on decal.
It’s not about filling space for the sake of it—it’s about making the artwork fit the form naturally.
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Step 3: Let the Subject Guide the Layout
The subject is the focus, not the shape of the bowl, pot, or paver.
Once the subject is decided, I:
Place the main elements first (the poppies, the animals, the focal point)
Then work the background and support designs around that
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Why I Work This Way
For me, the image is the star.
I’m not just decorating an object—I’m telling a story with the piece.
This method:
Keeps the design bold and intentional
Stops me from falling into "space-filling" habits
Makes sure the subject never gets lost in the background
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Final Thoughts: Design First, Always
A blank substrate is exciting because it’s potential, but I never let the shape dictate the story.
I build my mosaics around the subject—not the other way around.
That’s how I make pieces that don’t just cover surfaces—they mean something.
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