Pottery Painting – How to get the best results!

• We have a selection of stencils for those who need help with ideas.
• We suggest using a pencil very lightly to outline your design onto the pottery first.  This will burn off in the kiln and just leave the paint.
• We have sponges, fine brushes, dotting tools and writers to help you perfect your artwork.
• Ideally 3 layers of paint, each coat dries quickly.  This layering of paint produces a good coverage and quality of colour once kilned.
• Try to keep your brush strokes in the same direction.
• Please avoid wet wipes, hand cream, food or any greasy hands as these prevent the glaze from adhering to the pottery during the kiln process.  The item will end up with marks that you don’t want!
• Once you have painted an item it is near impossible to wash off so ensure your design is thought through from the start.  We have paper for you to practise on.
• Please don’t paint the bottoms of the item as we’ll have to remove it so it doesn’t stick to the kiln shelf.
• Staff will guide you but won’t paint for you, however we can offer commission pieces.

Guidance for Hand and Foot Prints:

• Ensure you have clean hands but do not use wet wipes as they contain oil.
• We have paper to practise your technique on.
• We suggest a sponge to cover the palm of hand or sole of foot. Enough to cover but not too much to slide.
• Push down gently on each finger/toe to ensure good contact.
• Always use dark colours as you will only achieve one coat, light pinks and blues are not strong enough to show the detail.
• Use our writers or dotting tools to help decorate around the prints.

Happy Pottery Painting!