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Sponging |
| |
When
painting large areas, such as a background colour
for a plate/mug, use a sponge with a dabbing action.
This gives a nice even texture without paintbrush
marks.
Sponging can also be used to give a textured finish
with a single or multiple colours. |
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Thickness
of paint |
| |
When
sponging, you only need to make sure the area is
well covered. However, when painting with a paintbrush,
at least 3 coats should be applied to give a solid
colour. |
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Light
and dark colours |
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When
painting one colour on top of another it is important
to remember that dark colours will always cover
light colours. If you paint a dark blue background,
then paint a picture on top in lighter colours,
once glazed the lighter colours will look very see-through.
It is better to paint a light background and paint
darker colours on top of it. If painting light colours
on dark ones, make sure you go over the lighter
colours at least 5-6 times to ensure the paint is
thick enough. |
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Drawing
designs onto pottery |
| |
If
you wish to draw an outline onto the pottery before
painting, use a pencil or felt-tip – this
will burn off in the kiln, ie the marks will have
disappeared when you collect your glazed item. |
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Dots |
| |
Use
the other end of the paintbrush to give you nice
round dots. |
|
Stencils/sponges |
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When
using stencils, sponges etc it is always advisable
to try them on the place paper first – they
don’t always look as good once painted on.
With
stencils, do not paint directly onto pottery with
a paintbrush, the paint will often bleed around
the edges of the image. Either trace the design
onto the pottery or use a sponge which stops the
bleeding. |
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Straight
lines |
| |
To
create nice straight lines, use some masking tape
then paint up to it. Leave it until it is dry and
then peal off. |
|
Speckling
effect |
| |
Using
a flat edged paintbrush, load with paint and slide
your finger along the edge, directing the spray
onto the pottery. Building up the effect with a
few colours gives a good effect. |
|
Unpainted
surfaces |
| |
If you do not paint
a background colour, the area will be an off-white
colour once glazed. |
