When it comes to painting pottery, the first thing you’ll probably wonder, is what is the best paint for clay pottery? What works? Well, you’re about to find out. We’ll discuss the best options that are out there, and what will surely give you results, along with any cautions you may have regarding this type of pottery and any personal worries that you should worry about when it comes to working with each of these types of paints.
Acrylic Paints
First, we have acrylic paints. These are by far the best when you begin working with them, and that’s because of the following:
- They are cheap to buy
- they are simple to use
- They usually dry pretty fast
- The paint is durable
- It doesn’t contain toxins
Now, if you do choose to use this, the best part about this is that you can buy this right at the store. There are so many different types, most of them ranging from less than a dollar to a few bucks for a tube. Or you can spend less than 10 dollars to get a whole tube of paint. There are a lot of options here, and if you’re working with clay pottery, this is often the best thing to use.
You typically want to use this on cups and pots that are clay in type. You can even use a singular color on this and then add another color to this if you want.
The other great part about this is that there are many different ways to paint this, including the following:
- A coat that is quite thin so that you don’t have to worry about putting too much on
- A coat of paint that’s thicker so that it only requires one application
Plus, with this when the paint dries, you’ll be able to wash them. It doesn’t take long for the paint to dry either. It can sometimes only take a few minutes for the pottery piece to dry after applying this.
Now, when you’re at the store and you want to use acrylic paints, and you plan on using this immediately for consumption, always make sure that you use water-based acrylic paints, nothing oil-based. Usually, you can reason there that it isn’t toxic, and that it’s safe to drink from.
If it doesn’t say on the bottle whether or not it’s toxic, you should look on there to see if there is anything that says heavy metals or cadmium. If it does, you should refrain from using that on pieces to be used for consumption, because those can be dangerous heavy metals, and you’ll want to make sure that you avoid this as much as you can.
There are also variants called “heavy body acrylic paints” and these usually mean that you are going to have a heavier body to it. With these, check to make sure that you can use this before you put it on there.
Now, the cool thing about these types of paints is that you can use them at different stages, such as:
The choice that you make does affect the overall look that you end up creating for the piece itself. Sometimes, if you feel like you want more adherence, bake the piece for about 20 or so minutes. You will then improve adherence.
Acrylic paint is often more versatile when it comes to painting as well since you can use them in different ways, and they’re often the easiest to work with. You can use them on different types of clay, including the following:
- Anything bisqued
- Any non-fired clay
- Anything with a full fire
If you apply these thinly, they do go light in the tint, but thicker add texture. Acrylics often are good for other types of crafts too, so if you’re going to be using this type of paint for other types of projects, this is better usually. Typically, acrylic paints are good for projects, especially if you have children since they are non-toxic. They may not be as durable, but they often are good for those who are looking to get started with this type of painting.
Also, if you do use oil paints as a form of acrylic paint, there are different ways to use this, so ideally, unless you want to use oil paints, you should try to stick with the water-based ones. Plus, the oil-based ones tend to have more toxins within them.
Acrylic Paint Markers
Just like acrylic paints, there are acrylic markers available in the market, which you can choose for creating exciting designs. Using pens always easier to add detailing to your artwork. However, these markers are not as sharp-tipped as the pens. They have a thicker tip, which is quite good for adding colors. Here’s how helpful they are.
- They are available in multiple color options.
- The colors are quite vibrant, bright, and beautiful.
- They come in a pen-shaped appearance that helps you in having a good grip while holding them.
- The nibs are quite thick, which allows you to fill in any place faster than the pens.
You can easily create mandalas, quirky graphic designs, or anything unique and beautiful quite easily with these markers. The easy flow of bright colors makes it satisfying to draw and customize your ceramic or porcelain ware. Compared to the fine-tipped pens, these large-tipped markers are good for both filling large areas fast and adding detailing and intricacy to the design.
The color quality equals acrylic paints, which means they are long-lasting and dry faster. Your pottery clay body absorbs the paint faster, which aids you to have a fuss-free and clean working experience. These markers are completely waterproof, which means you can wash your pottery as much as you can, without worrying about the paint getting washed away.
Check the labeling or the instructions provided by the manufacturers to use it properly. Always check about the contained ingredients, especially if you are planning to decorate your pottery piece for serving food. If it contains toxic chemicals, then stay away from using it for food purposes; instead, consider using it for potteries meant for decorations.
These opaque and vibrant colors of the acrylic markers give you rich and good quality finishing with only one coating. You can go on using it for two or three more layers if you want to create much darker shades. But exposing them directly to firing might cause harm to your pottery painting. It will be better if you check the instructions first, or you can even ask your nearby stationery store person if the paints are safe for firing or not.
You can also make use of these marker pens for pre-glazing decorations. All you need to do is only decorate your pottery piece with unique designs of yours. After that, wait for some time to let the paint set properly on the clay body. Finish it off with a coating of transparent glazing. Then, fire your pottery to get a beautiful finish. In this way, you will be giving your pottery piece a nice, glossy, and food-safe topcoat on a beautiful design. This technique also increases the durability of your pottery decoration and makes it safer than before to use.
Choosing acrylic markers for painting your pottery clay is also a budget-friendly option, and they are easily available at any store or online shopping site. Use them to create stunning and fluent designs without getting your hands dirty. If you are a beginner, then you are going to fall in love with these markers as they are not at all frustrating to work with.
Ceramic Paints
These paints are good for pottery itself, and should only be used with pottery. While you can get away with using acrylic paint on other surfaces, this is what is used most of the time when you paint ceramics. it’s similar to acrylic, simply in that, you paint it on, and then it’s dried. From there, you then can simply use the dish or cup.
However, there are a few advantages to this, and they are as follows:
- Fewer coats of paint needed
- They are typically smoother, so it does resist cracking in a sense
- They have a resistance to stains too, so if you don’t want a stain on it, you’ll be able to get it off It does create a less tacky surface for the paint, which does reduce the dirt that’s on there and doesn’t suck it up
- Typically, you can get a more level type of texture from this type of painting it can also help with hiding any flaws and keeps the luster going with the paint too, making it a more superior choice for some people.
- This stays on for way longer
- You don’t need a sealant for this type of paint, but acrylic does require a sealant for it to stay on
However, there are a few downsides to this as well, some things that you should be careful of when you’re working with these types of paints, are the following:
- They are much harder to find
- They are more expensive than acrylic
- They often do need a sealant if you’re going to be using them a lot
Typically, unless they don’t have lead or any toxins, you shouldn’t use these
These are an option if you plan to use them, and they typically have good use. they’re a bit stronger, but they do come with a price. Typically, if you’re working with clay or Terracotta pieces, this is a good type of paint to use, but if you want something that does end up drying faster, then you should consider trying to find some ceramic paint.
You can also use bake-on ceramic paints that are great if you want to create a glossy texture for this type of paint. However, the problem is, that they often need to be checked as well to ensure that you can eat and drink from them. But, if you can use this, it does last a long time. it’s quite nice if you’re going for that type of touch to this.
Spray Paints
Spray painting is another very handy and easy-to-use technique for coloring your pottery clay. Spray paint bottles cover a large area quite fast. Also, it gives a smooth and shiny texture to the pottery body. Here are the reasons why you should use spray paints for pottery painting.
- Bottles are easy to hold and cover a large area within some minutes.
- If you are unable to reach the nooks and corners in your pottery piece, then spray paints are going to make your job easier.
Well, after using these paints, that satisfying feeling of filling up gaps with colors by spraying is quite enjoyable. You don’t have to hop from one store to another to find good spray paint for your pottery painting. They are easily available anywhere and come in a very reasonable price range.
Spray paint bottles are filled with synthetic colors, which are long-lasting and waterproof. However, it is better to check the labeling of the bottle to be sure about the features of the color. Also, check for the ingredients used in making the color to know about the paint if it’s food-safe or not.
Compared to any other paints, spray paint can be done by following a few easy steps, and that too within a short period. Start by rubbing the surface area of the ceramic body with sandpaper to make it smooth. Make sure that the clay body is completely dry and non-greasy. Start with applying the primer spray, which comes along with the paint. Then, allow the pot to become dry. Finish it off by applying the spray paint. Again, let it sit to become dry. Thus, your pottery painting becomes complete.
While working with spray paint, a few things you need to keep in mind; are as follows:
- As you can’t control the color flow of the spray, you need to be very particular about choosing the right place for painting.
- Tape those places before painting, where you don’t want to paint, or have planned to add some different color.
- Once you are done with spraying the color, allow it to become dry, and then untape those covered places.
- Also, spray paints can create a little bit of a mess. So, take the required measures to avoid the clutter.
- Use masks and glasses to protect your face and eyes, as the chemicals might hurt.
Spray paint bottles are easily available in various shades of colors and effects like matte, glossy, glittery, and plastic. The colors are vivid and vibrant, which creates a beautiful tinge all over. Also, it doesn’t require too many coatings and gives a very durable finish with one or two coats.
But you can’t create a detailed design with spray paints. For that, you would need to use stencils to create the necessary designs and shapes. You can use spray paints as an underglaze, or you can use them to color your pot post-glazing. You can create beautiful designs with other means of painting over the surface of a pot, colored with spray paint. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, spray painting is greatly enjoyable for everyone and gives a nice finish to your pottery work.
On Baking Paints
If you decide to use some ceramic paints, there is sometimes a desire to bake this in a kiln. The first thing that you should do however is the following:
- Let it dry for 24 hours
- Put it in the oven according to the instructions, or even your kiln
You should always make sure that you follow the instructions in this guide. If you bake it sooner than the required time, you should be mindful, since it often takes a long time. This will have a glossy finish, however, but the nice part about this is that it’s safe to eat and drink from. If you use one that’s on the higher end, the cool part about this is that it will be dishwasher safe, so if needed, throw this in the dishwasher. It also lasts years too.
But, as a general rule of thumb, it’s better to hand wash all of the dishes that you create, since it’s much gentler on the dish, and it will guarantee that it will end up lasting longer when it comes to the overall life of this type of pottery piece. it’s also good for ensuring that things don’t get scratched as well.
Topcoat Paints
if you don’t already have one of these, get a topcoat on there. This is something that you should do for acrylic and some ceramic paints. The reason for this is that you’ll be able to hold the piece together. Most of the time, it adds a sealant that will help you improve the texture of this. it’s quite nice to have this extra little touch to it, but there are a couple of little problems that go along with this, and they are the following:
- They are good for creating a gloss, but they aren’t safe for food and drinks
- Typically, you should make sure that these are used for decorative products
It’ll allow for the piece to last a lot longer, but if you’re giving it to someone, you need to make sure that you do ensure that you’re making it for decorative reasons only, and not for food and drink.
Metals?
Yes, you read that right, metals are super popular when you work with clay. They actually can work well, and you can use metals as a form of paint on this type of clay to create a decorative design. that’s because of the following:
- They are simple to apply They can withstand the temperatures that clay is baked on
- When used correctly, it creates a beautiful image
Some enjoy using metal bits, since when it’s baked, you’ll be able to create a metallic image to it, and it does create a sort of unique item.
While this may not be a paint directly, the thing is, if it does melt, it does create a type of metallic surface on the paint, and it’s a unique means to create the best paint that you want to create, allowing you to have the best type of experience that you can have with this. you’ll be able to do a lot with it,
and if you create pottery that needs an extra touch, this works.
No-Bake Paint Pens
Yes, these exist. They are small little pens that are perfect for those who want to add an extra touch to their dishes. One of the best benefits of it is that it’s pretty simple to use.
Some of the parts of these pens include the following:
- You can create designs that are quick on there
- If you get non-toxic paints, you’ll be able to eat or drink from it
- They are perfect for adding those little details that you want to add to this.
However, one little downside to these is that they tend to not sustain a lot if you use them a bit. So, if you’re going to be using this a lot, opt for something else
Combustibles and Chemicals
Last but undoubtedly not least, another quite tricky yet impressive way to color your pottery clay is by adding colorants during pit firing. This process is not as easy as using artificial and ready-made paints. This technique requires you to add particular objects to the fire rather than painting the real colors on the clay body. Potters use combustibles, chemicals, salts, etc. to create beautiful shades while firing. And, the fumes and flames produced during firing imprint various fluid designs on the clay piece.
This process might be quite tricky and frustrating for beginners, but you have to practice it more and more to master the skill. There are a few perks of using this coloring technique:
- You don’t need to use any artificial colors or pigments.
- Coloring in this way is quite cheap and pocket-friendly, as you can create colors with literally anything easily available around you.
- The chemicals and combustibles fuse and vaporize while firing, so there are no chances of smudging the colors post-firing.
- Also, it saves you the cost of glazing.
Working with this type of colorant requires you to know the nature of the elements that you are using for creating colors and their way of reacting to fire. A specific combustible or chemical creates a specific color, under the condition of firing temperature, and the way you are layering them for firing.
Their exposure to direct fire causes infusion, heat, and oxidation which creates multiple color options. Also, throwing the colorants promptly into the fire creates instant colors, which stain the pottery body.
This coloration process requires you to make a bed of glowing coal and add colorants to it. Then, let it fire for an hour or more to create the perfect coloring effect. You can create layering with the combustibles, exactly the way you want.
While opting for coloring with flames and fumes made out of such elements, you don’t need to worry about the durability of colors. They become waterproof after firing, and most importantly, they fix permanently on the pottery body. You will be done with adding colors as soon as your firing process finishes.
Unlike other paints, you don’t have to wait for the colors to become dry. Besides, coloring while pit firing does not require you to become worried about making the pottery food-safe. You can create multiple beautiful shades of colors just by using a few simple and natural colorants, salts, etc., which are not at all toxic. It creates beautiful and unexpected designs like marble finishing, which looks amazing on the pottery body.
But there are some drawbacks if you use the coloring in such a way. Here are the limitations of this painting technique.
- It is a time-taking process.
- You need to be more careful while implementing this process of coloring, as it is quite risky to work with fire.
- As a beginner, you might find this technique to be difficult as you need to master the trick first.
However, these drawbacks are not very serious about restraining you from trying this interesting process of pottery decoration.
Understanding the color palette for pit firing is the most important thing about the implementation of this process. You can go on using different objects to experiment with the color shades. But before that, you must know the source of the basic shades from different objects.
Here’s a list of colorants that you can use for pit firing.
Natural Combustibles | Produced Colors | Chemical Combustibles | Produced Colors |
| Coals of hardwood | You can create black, grey, and bluish-grey with it. | Steel wool | It helps you in developing shades like blue, grey, pink, etc. |
| Seaweed | It helps you develop colors like brown and rust. | Ferric chloride | If you want to create orange and yellow colors, then use this element in the firing. |
| Cow pies of grass-fed and grain-fed cows | Cow pies from grass-fed cows produce various shades of black. And the grain-fed cow pies are used for creating brown, black, green, and grey colors. | Table salt | Also, table salts are good at creating multiple shades of yellow and orange. |
| Grass clippings, leaves, twigs | These can create a wide range of colors like green, brown, yellow, and golden. | Copper wire | It develops various color shades like black, green, red, white, and blue. |
| Coffee grounds | Use coffee grounds to create beautiful shades of green, blue, and brown. | Cobalt carbonate | Go on creating shades of blue with cobalt carbonate. |
| Banana peels | It can create stunning shades of grey and green. | Red iron oxide | Add brown and red colors to your pottery clay with it. |
| Kelp leaves | If you want to create peach, yellow, or green-like shades, then use Kelp leaves. | Sodium chloride | Create golden, peach, yellow, salmon, and orange colors with sodium chloride. |
| Sawdust | Develop pretty blue, black, and grey colors with sawdust. | Copper carbonate | It can create shades like maroon, red, green, and blue. |
As you can see from the list mentioned above, you don’t even need to worry about the availability of the colorants, as these are quite easily available around us. Keep up with experimenting and creating newer shades, if you have a knack for coloring your pottery clay differently
Glazing
Glazing pottery is usually something that you use when you’re going to be using a piece and doing more extensive pottery. Ceramic and acrylic paints are durable to a degree, but glazing is something for more extensive pottery, and the best part is that they aren’t toxic either.
Now, glazing is a bit different from acrylic paints because after you paint this, you’ll need to fire this on again. But, there are some benefits to glazing when compared to other types of pottery, and that is the following:
- It’s much easier to get the glossy coat on there
- you can create unique colors with this
- You can also use this after bisquing in many cases to create a piece of pottery that isn’t compromised in terms of the overall look of it
There are multiple types of glazes available for creating a new and unique look every time for your pottery clay. The nature of glazing also varies depending on the type you are using for your ceramic ware. So, here are some of the types of glazing. Have a look.
Types of Glazing | Characteristics |
Earthenware lead-free glazes | Lesser chemicals are used for making this type of glazing. They are usually food and drink-safe and can create multiple ranges of shades. |
Earthenware glaze with fritted lead | This kind of glazing is used to give the ceramics an acid-proof and insoluble texture. These glazes might be toxic for food purposes if not fired properly. |
Stoneware and mid-fire glaze | This type of glazing can be used under the condition of oxidation and reduction. These glazes can be used for dripping, mixing, and molding purposes. These glazes create a very durable texture if it is fired at a high temperature. |
Raku glazes | Available in both powder and liquid form, raku glazes allow you to create multiple ranges of colors. You are required to apply a thick layer of raku glaze on your pottery and dry it completely before firing. |
Now, as an aside, the glaze isn’t perfect, since it can move around when it’s being fired, and because of the chemicals that are in there, you will start to realize that the colors do change. However, if you are worried about the colors being sacrificed for whatever reason, the best thing for you to do is to test it by getting a tile that you’re not using, actually, test a piece of it with some glaze to see, and then fire it, and from there decide if there is going to be any problems with this.
However, you should also shy away from using designs that involve glazes that look blue and shift when they fire. If you do glaze the cups and pots, they are safe to use, and you’ll be much happier with the results from this if you do use it. it’s ultimately the best way to give that topcoat to those ceramic pieces that you make and is good for pottery.
Staining
Then we have stains and staining, which are used with glazes to bring forth both color and texture as well. They usually tend to be more stable when compared to glazes in many cases, so if you’re worried about using this, you should make sure that you add this to your arsenal.
The process to do this is simple, and you do the following:
- You make the piece
- you then glaze it
- you then fire it first
- you add a decoration of the stain along with a flux and then fire it once more
- You make sure that the glaze and stain work together so that you can use this
Generally, stains need to be topped with a glaze because it’s toxic to taste a stain since often these stains are made from toxic metals that should be avoided. But, if you put a stain on top of this and it’s fired, it will be safe to use.
Stains are something that many people choose to use if they want to create intricate designs and pieces on their pottery. However, these tend to cost more, and they require more materials to work with, especially kilns and such. It also takes a lot longer to use a stain, especially since you do need to bisque it before you use it. So, if you’re going to be using a stain, remember that it does take a bit more time to use this type of means to coat it. It also does involve supplies you may need to learn to work with. But, it’s quite simple and pretty fun, so it is worth checking out.
Chalk Paints and Mica Powders
These are great for clay since they can create an interesting chalky texture to it. You should use this after you’ve baked the piece. You can get these in a ton of different colors if you so desire. Now, the cool thing about this is they have a lot of different features, and they are the following:
- They are very hard so they last
- They do take a bit of time to be broken, but they last a long time
- When you combine them with a brush, painting it, you’ll create a beautiful texture
Chalks give a great look to these types of paints, and when you use them, try to go for a bright pastel color, since they do create some beautiful works. Mica powder is a great one to try out too since it does have similar features. Overall, if you’re looking for a chalky look, especially for some pottery that doesn’t have the glaze or the stain that they normally have, then this is a good option to try out.
Stenciling
Stenciling is a great way if you’re going to be making images on your piece. they’re good for the following reasons:
- Perfect for those of us who can’t draw
- They make it simple to fill in stains
- They allow for sharper lines
Stencils are some of the best ways to create this, and you can use this with any type of paint minus a glaze on the clay, to create some great patterns.
Plus, if you want to create your design, but you’re not sure about what you’re getting, you can always create a pattern that works for you, and you’re able to make the best image that you can from this, allowing you to truly shine with this type of work
With all of this in mind, you have a lot that you can do with this. you’ll be able to create beautiful mages on the pottery that you’ve wanted to create, and so much that you’ve wanted. If you’ve been curious about painting pottery, well here are a few ways to do it. How you decide to go about this is ultimately up to you, since you’re going to be putting together a great piece that works well. But, with the right care added to this, you’ll be able to create pieces that work wonders, and ultimately, you’ll be able to paint the pottery in the ways that you want.
If you’ve ever been worried about the safety of pottery paints, the answer is to always look at the contents of the paint itself. Some are toxic, some aren’t, and looking at the toxicity levels of each will allow you to make the right choice in terms of whether or not you should use paint, or if it might be best to use something else. But, this post told you all about the best paints for clay, and what you can use.
