While each studio differs slightly in their techniques and methods for painting pottery, these basic techniques can be applied wherever you go. Pottery painting is fun for all age groups. This activity is suitable or couples enjoying a romantic evening together, children looking for a fun way to spend the day, corporate team building events, birthday parties, and nights out.
When you walk into a studio you will see several different shapes and sizes of what are called bisque pieces. Bisque is a technical term refering to fired greenware. It needs only a coat of glaze to be refired and turned into a ceramic piece of art. Generally there will be a large variety of pieces ranging anywhere from two dollars to two hundred depending on the size and complexity of the item. The most popular items are plates, mugs, and other kitchen ware but childrens figurines (dogs, cats, unicorns, ect) are growing in popularity. Once you select your item you need to consider how many items you would like. If it is your first time painting, I would reccomend starting with a small to medium sized piece with minimal details needed. Glaze is not paint, and it does not behave like paint. It is not difficult to use, but many customers make the mistake of overcomitting themselves to a project and becoming overwhelmed and stressed during what should be an exciting activity. However if you are doing a plate, consider going for the entire set. The studio owner would most likely give you a discount, and you can leave items on a work in progress shelf to work on during your next trip. Let the staff member know you have selected your piece choose a place to sit and proceed to step two.
Step Two: Brush off your pottery with a slightly damp sponge.
This removes any dust that may have accumulated on your piece. It is just dusting. Many customers mistakenly believe their piece of pottery must be damp to paint on, this is not true, wet pottery will actually thin the paints leaving you with a streaky coat.
Step Three: Plan your design carefully.
Ask for a piece of paper and a pencil and sketch your design. Pencil burns off in the kiln, so you can actually sketch your design on the pottery. If you are applying a base coat, do this before sketching on your pottery, as the pencil will not show through the glaze.
Step Four: Choose your glaze colors and brushes
Studios differ in choosing your colors. Mine has a chart to show you what each color looks like after it is fired. It is important to see the true color of the glaze since it looks very different before and after firing. Keep this color in mind as you paint. The paints should be in small containers, or should be poured into a palette to prevent contamination. It is considered good manners to use a different brush with each different color, and to avoid mixing paits in the container given to you. If you ask the staff they will most likely have a surface you can mix colors on. When mixing colors be mindful that you have no way of seeing what color it is going to turn out after it is fired. Most studios have a variety of colors to eliminate the need for mixing.
Choosing the correct brush for your technique is important. You may wish to bring in your own, but most studios have a ready supply of shading brushes (square brushes) round brushes, detail brushes, and fan brushes. Choose carefully.
Step Five: Paint your piece
If applying a base coat choose a large fan brush to mop the color onto your piece. You do not want to use a square brush for applying your base coat. The square brush is used for shading and does not hold a lot of paint. If you use a square brush for your base coat your finish may be streaky.
Paint three coats of the base coat to avoid streaks, and visible brush strokes.
Use the appropriate brush (detail for small lines and details, square brush for shading, round brush, and fan brush for everything else) to paint three coats of your pattern on top of the base coat.
Step Six: Leave everything at the table and pay, your pottery will be available no later than a week from the day you painted it. The studio will now apply the appropriate over glaze, and fire it in their kiln. If you need your piece quickly, many studios offer a flat rate quickfire charge.
Step Seven: Pick up your wonderful piece of art! It should be fully functional, dishwasher safe, food safe, microwave safe, and oven safe. Bring your friends to paint more pottery!
Tips for doing handprints:
Handprint gifts are popular within contemporary paint your own pottery studios. If you are pressed for time and are nervous about bringing in all the little ones to the studio while you paint all the details, do it in steps. Come in while your child is in school and browse the idea books for great hand or foot print ideas. My studio features books with literally hundreds of handprint designs available, with matching cute quotes. Do everything but the handprints. Leave on the studios work in progress shelf, pick the kids up from school, and bring them in to put their prints on. The kids are instantly engaged, and do not have to wait while you do all of the background and detail work.
Pottery painting is great fun for all ages. It makes wonderful gifts, and great group outings. Follow these tips to make your piece into a wonderful work of art.
