Yes, I do it all the time. The rooster was VERY textured. If the raised areas aren't TOO high, it's easier if you use mortar, and even easier w/the dish shards cuz you can pile it a little high in those areas, working around them w/the shards, then taper down to the flatter areas. If the raised areas are very high, you might want to leave them uncovered w/tesserae as part of the design.

Or you can do what I do - grab the sander or dremel and just go at it till it's flattened....course, that's only for vases and such where the raised area is somewhat limited and where I want to maintain the smoothness. For places I want to keep the texture, I do the same as Slow and just go with the angles, etc the best I can.

Pat