How to Finish Ceramics Projects

Here are ways to give your work a personalized, finished touch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Assorted Hobby Paintbrushes
• Acrylic Paints
• Acrylic Sealer
• Plastic Bags
• Toothpicks
• Paper Towels

1. Use a toothpick to put a small white dot on the upper part of an eye to create eye highlights. Make sure both eyes match.
2. Use a toothpick to make fine lines such as eyelashes, eyebrow hairs, stitch marks on "puffy" objects or Swiss-dot patterns.
3. Base coat a project in flat black to make metallic paints really stand out. Drybrush the metallic color over the black.
4. Use textured paints such as granite stone and puffy paints in small areas. Resist using them too much or you won't be able to get them off without a lot of heavy sanding.
5. Start with a piece that has been base coated in terra-cotta, black or deep green to achieve the look of gold or silver leaf. Pour gold or silver paint on a tile. Crumple up a plastic bag. Pat the plastic in the paint and then dab it on a paper towel. Press the bag onto the piece randomly.
6. Start with a piece that has been base coated in a metallic color for a patina look. Antique with a medium-green translucent stain.
7. Use a matte finish on the entire project except eyes, lips and animal noses. Use a high-gloss finish on these to make them stand out.