[Best clay for exterior tile mosaic]

Thank you for answering my inquiry. I am working with an artist that uses commercial tiles and has a formula for the grout. That is all figured out. I will be making hand made clay tiles to add to the mural. The thing I need to figure out is the clay and glaze.   I would like to use Laguna #66 and amaco celadons or HF glaze. How do you know if the clay is fully vitrified and that the glaze fits?

[Best clay for exterior tile mosaic]

14 hours ago, Denice said:

I have made  ten exterior murals so far.   You need have the size of mural you want to make and then a design that works with it to start.   Your design need to have small,  medium and large pieces in it and a flow of color and design that will encourage the viewers eyes to follow.   I have made terracotta and C6 stoneware clay murals,   using a cone 6 hand building  clay will give you the best results.   I see you live in PA and have a lot of freezing weather,  your clay needs to vitrified and your glaze has a perfect fix.   Any crackle in the glaze will allow water to leak in  and freeze popping the glaze off.  This is a good time of the year to make some test tiles and lay them outside and let the ice and snow.   I made a two foot mural and  mortared it on a cement board and placed it in the yard to see how it would hold up.  It survived the winter so I knew I was set to make more murals.  I wouldn't recommend making a mural for a horizontal surface after several years the weather takes it toll on it.   I have made two ext floor murals that were on  porches.  The tile was a purchased one inch porcelain tile that holds up freezing condition and epoxy grout.  It was the grout that didn't hold up,  it popped out of the grooves and molded.   I will be glad to answer any questions you have.       Denice

 

[Best clay for exterior tile mosaic]

I would like to chat with someone who has actually completed an exterior tile mural to learn about the process and tell me what clay body they used. 

Thank you!