Hand-painted tiles are expensive, so save money and decorate your own. Square white tiles were used here - half were decorated with a pear stencil and the others were sponged.

You'll need:

Materials White 100mm x 100mm ceramic tiles (see step 1)
Water-based glass and ceramic paints: mustard, dark green, light brown, burgundy
Tile adhesive and grout

Tools:

Scissors
Stencil cardboard
Pencil
Tracing paper
Carbon paper
Cutting mat
Scalpel
Masking tape
Fine kitchen sponge
Palette
Oven thermometer (optional)

Here's how:

Preparation

1. Calculate how many tiles you will need. You may only want to add a row of tiles along the top of an existing tiled wall, or you may want to tile a large area behind a kitchen sink or bench. When you have decided this, divide the tiles into two groups. The first half will be decorated with the pear stencil and the second half will be sponged with burgundy. You can also paint on tiles already on the wall, but be aware that the awkward angle may make this a little difficult (plus it is very tiring for your arms). Also, you will be unable to fire the tiles when the painting is completed.

2. Cut out three squares of cardboard the same size as your tiles.

3. Trace over the pattern for the pear using a piece of tracing paper. If you are using bigger tiles enlarge the design as needed.

This pattern is printed at 100%

4. Using carbon paper and a pencil, transfer the outline for the pear only onto one square of cardboard. Place the cardboard on a cutting mat and cut out the pear shape with a scalpel.

5. Following the same procedure, transfer the pattern for the leaves only onto the second piece of cardboard, then cut out. Similarly, transfer and cut out the pattern for the pear stem and branch using the third piece of cardboard.

Sponging the design

 6. Tape the stencil for the pear to a tile. Use the kitchen sponge to lightly sponge a layer of mustard paint over the exposed area. Start by dipping the edge of the sponge in the paint and then dab off the excess paint onto scrap paper. Build up the colour gradually: it is easier to add the colour slowly than to remove the paint if you have applied too much. Using dark green, lightly sponge over the centre of the pear to add highlights. Use light brown to shade around the bottom and right-hand side of the pear. Complete the basic pear shape for half of the tiles. Allow to dry. If you make a mistake when stencilling the design, simply wash off the paint with warm, soapy water. Let the tile dry completely before you use it again.

7. Tape the stencil for the leaves over a dry pear tile, carefully aligning the piece of cardboard with the edges of the tile so that the patterns will match up correctly. Using dark green paint, sponge one or two layers to fill in the leaves. Repeat this process to add the leaves to all the pear tiles. Allow the paint to dry.

8. Tape the stencil for the stem and branch over a dry pear and leaf tile. Sponge one or two layers of light brown over the stencil. Repeat this process to complete all the pear tiles.

9. Pour a large amount of burgundy paint on the palette. Dip the sponge in the paint, dab off the excess onto scrap paper and sponge over the surface of the remaining tiles. Allow to dry before sponging a second and, possibly, a third layer. You want to achieve a fairly full coverage of paint.

10. Allow the tiles to dry for at least 48 hours and then fire them in the oven. Remember to do a test run by baking one or two tiles before you fire your whole set. Place the tiles in a cold oven. Set the oven temperature to 150-160C and bake for 35 minutes, timing from when the oven reaches the desired temperature. (Use an oven thermometer to double-check the temperature. ) Turn off the oven and allow it to completely cool before removing the tiles from the oven.

11. Fix the tiles in place using a suitable adhesive (ask at your local hardware store to ensure a suitable choice). Grout between the tiles to finish, if desired.

Source: Glass & Ceramic Painting (MurdochBooks)