How to Paint a Piece of Pottery

Pottery painted with a glaze must be fired (heated) after painting.

If you'd like to give a friend a homemade gift from the heart, or you're dabbling in a new hobby, pottery painting provides you with a quiet, relaxing pastime and a unique keepsake when you're through. For further instruction on painting pottery, contact studios in your area. Many offer "paint your own pottery" classes where you can get one-one feedback and guidance on your new-found craft.

Instructions

1. Smooth off any crisp or rough edges on your piece. Seams and dried clay may still be on the piece if you purchased an unfinished piece of pottery or you created it yourself. Use a scraping tool and fine-grained sandpaper to do this. Blow off all dust before painting.

2. Prepare your painting area. Place newspaper, an old sheet or drop cloth over a table (unless you're using a work table). Place a glass of water next to your clean, dry brushes and sponges. Brush and sponge sizes and styles depend on the size of the piece you're painting and your preference.

3. Pour a small amount of each glaze into its own individual cup or bowl. Place several empty containers nearby in case you want to mix new colors.

4. Tape off any areas of the piece you'd like to paint a different color later (accent colors). Leave the piece without tape for colors that blend into one another or for a "hand painted" look.

5. Dip your brush into your base color of underglaze. If you're painting more than one layer of glaze, then this underglaze gives a subtle undertone for any other enamel colors painted over it after it's been fired. Use only a small amount of paint at a time on the brush.

6. Brush in one direction. For instance, brush up and down only, not up and down and then from side to side. This helps keep an even texture on the piece. Rinse your brush thoroughly under cold water before using it with another color. Having a separate brush for each color you use saves time while painting. Let the paint dry before moving on.

7. Paint any accent colors on areas you may have taped off. Follow the same technique you used with the first color. Let each color dry completely before moving on to the next.

8. Fire the pottery when you've painted the first layer and the paint's dried. Fire the piece using cones needed for that particular piece; ask the shop assistant when buying the pottery which cone is appropriate, or get a studio to fire the piece for you.

9. Paint an overglaze (enamel paint) on your piece, if desired. Fire the piece again, this time at a lower temperature.

References

• Scholastic Teachers: Pottery

Resources

• Painting Pottery with Designer Inspiration