How to Decorate a Porcelain Pig

You can decorate a plain porcelain pig to look like anything.

Porcelain pigs are the base for many craft projects, including piggy banks and plain decorative objects for everyday decorating. Painting a porcelain pig is not difficult, and it requires only a few craft supplies to complete. Use paint designed for use with porcelain or ceramic, or else the paint will not stick to the surface and your efforts will be wasted. There is no set design or style in which to decorate the pig. Use your own imagination to create a special, personalized design.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Towel
• Grease pen
• Porcelain paint pens
• Soft cloth
• Oven mitts

Instructions

1. Wash the pig in the sink with warm water and dish soap to remove any dirt. Dry the pig with a towel.

2. Read the directions on the paint pens to find out if the ink requires baking after application. Some pens require baking to set the design, while others air dry.

3. Draw the desired design onto the pig with a grease pen. By using a grease pen before painting, you can wipe away any part of the design if you change your mind. You can also use stencils or freehand the design with the paint pens.

4. Paint the design onto the pig using the paint pens. If you make a mistake, use a damp cloth to quickly wipe away the ink. Paint inside or outside the grease pen lines, but do not paint over the grease pen.

5. Wait 24 hours for the paint to dry. If you have to bake the paint to set it, wipe away the grease pen carefully before baking. Place in a 300-degree-Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes, or according the paint manufacturer's instructions. Allow the pig to cool completely before handling, or handle the hot pig with oven mitts.

References

• YouTube; How to Paint Designs on a Piggy Bank; Video Jug Arts and Crafts; April 2011
• Re-Nest; How to: Decorate Your Own Tea Set; Aya Rosen; February 2009