Looking for tips to get your started?

When you arrive in the studio have a browse around, there is always lots to look at, from paint colours & samples, sponges, large brushes for glazes and washes, specially designed brushes for fine work, pencils for drawing designs on pottery, unique pottery choices, as well as a lot of our own finished pieces.  We are also always getting new products in – new paints (such as writing pens), specialty glazes etc.  We also have a growing library of resource materials (including stencils!) to give you inspiration.

Some tips to get you started on the road to your own signature piece:

1. Select your piece of bisque (white first-fired pottery) from our extensive range of over 150 items.
2. Make sure your hands are clean and grease free, as paint will not adhere to greasy spots on the bisque.
3. Using the sponge and water bowl provided, gently wipe the inside and outside of the bisque with the damp sponge. This removes any dust particles and gives better ‘purchase’ for the paint.
4. Draw out a design if you wish, using pencil which will burn off in the kiln, or ask our staff for stencils, other resource material for inspiration, carbon or tracing paper. Don’t forget to look at our photo gallery for inspiration as well as our guest artist’s work.
5. Select your paint colours using the numbered geckos or tiles to check the finished colour. It is very important to choose by reference to the finished and fired colours which look very different from how they appear in the bottles.
6. Shake the bottles to mix the colours and squeeze a little of each colour into the white plastic palette. If you plan to use a background colour, squeeze a generous amount of that colour into the centre of the palette. Background colours can also be sponged on for a subtle effect.
7. Select your brush and dampen it. There is no need to use water with the paints in fact when you change colour it is better to change brush so the brush does not get too wet – or dry it on kitchen towel before dipping in your next paint colour.



8. Start painting! Load your brush with plenty of colour, do not be mean with it. For a good opaque finish you will need at least 3 coats of generously applied paint. Wait for the layer to dry before applying the next coat; the paint dries very quickly.
9. Apply darker colours over lighter colours for best effect. A light colour applied over a dark colour will generally show the darker colour underneath.
10. For larger areas, try to apply the paint in the same direction in a sweeping rather than daubing movement.
11. Enjoy! Your painted piece will stay with us for approximately 5 days while we glaze fire and finish it. We will call you when your Masterpiece is ready to collect.
12. Lastly, send us a picture of you using or displaying your special piece! We will post it in our photo gallery for all to see!

» Download and print these tips!