Angel Mosaic

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  Step 1

  Gather your supplies.

  The picture was a stunningly ugly print of flowers in a watering can wherein everything had a sickly green overcast. I covered it with gesso, which is like primer for artists and helps to conceal what's underneath. (It's actually a really, really old way that artists re-use canvases and other surfaces.)

  Tape the frame so as not to get any gesso on it and then gesso (or prime in some way), not worrying too much since the little tiles will cover a multitude of errors.

  On scratch paper, sketch image you would like to mosaic, keeping it very simple. Try to make it proportional to the space you are going to fill.

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  Step 2

  Make sure you know which way is "up" for the canvas. I had to take off the hang-in-on-the-wall apparatus before proceeding because I didn't want my angel to be side-ways.

  After the gesso is completely dry (for example, the next day) trace the design in pencil. You can erase the pencil marks just like on paper.

  Smoothly, confidently, but slowly trace the outline with a black paint pen. (A sharpie is more likely to smear when you add ModPodge in a later step.)

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  Step 3

  Sort your Christmas cards into piles by color.

  (You can see the gold leaves on the cards that will eventually become the wings.)

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  Step 4

  Cut the cards into whatever shapes and sizes you like.

  Apply Modpodge to a small portion of the canvas and then add your tiles. I would do a palm-sized area at most.

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  Step 5

  Hints:

  * Allow yourself varying amounts of the background to show through. If you try to keep every tile exactly the same distance apart you'll go mad.

  * Mix large and small tiles in an area for visual balance.

  * As you see here, I've laid out the tiles off to one side that I'm going to use so I can play with the color, which I want to gradually darken.

  * Don't cut the tiles too small unless you are one of those people who like to do things with tweezers.

  * Have a rag nearby to clean the ModPodge off of your fingers at intervals.

  * Be open to surprises.

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  Step 6

  As you can see looking at the angel's garment, I used long, thin tiles to simulate the flowing folds. I picked tear-drop shaped leaves for the feathers.

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  Step 7

  Be smarter than I was: remove the painter's tape as soon as the gesso is applied and half-dried. I left it on for months, hence the need to score it with the exacto knife.

  The little feathers that are lifting up will be sealed down with a final coat of Mod Podge.

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  Step 8

  Seal the whole thing after the tape is off.

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  Step 9

  Enjoy your artwork in all it's little surprises and glorious imperfections!

  There will never be another one like it!

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