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Pine Creek Ceramics - Project Ideas & Tips
Ceramic Glazes for Usable Items, Dishes, Vases, and Special Finishes:
With usable items such as dishes, vases, etc., they need to be glazed with ceramic glaze
following the manufacturers instructions and fired to help make them waterproof. Ceramic
glazes typically have a glass base and have a high gloss finish when fired. There is a large
variety of ceramic glazes and under glazes available, each type must be applied and fired
according to the manufacturers instructions. There are even glazes that have crystal chips of
other colors in them and there are also metallic finishes. If you want to do some glazing, you can
check around in your area to see if there is a ceramic shop that does custom firing if you don't
have access to a ceramic kiln. You may be able to find ceramic glazes and painting supplies at
your local craft stores or by searching the Internet. We only specialize in casting ceramic bisque
and don't have paint or supplies available on our website. Here are a few examples of glazed
ceramic items:
With usable items such as dishes, vases, etc., they need to be glazed with ceramic glaze
following the manufacturers instructions and fired to help make them waterproof. Ceramic
glazes typically have a glass base and have a high gloss finish when fired. There is a large
variety of ceramic glazes and under glazes available, each type must be applied and fired
according to the manufacturers instructions. There are even glazes that have crystal chips of
other colors in them and there are also metallic finishes. If you want to do some glazing, you can
check around in your area to see if there is a ceramic shop that does custom firing if you don't
have access to a ceramic kiln. You may be able to find ceramic glazes and painting supplies at
your local craft stores or by searching the Internet. We only specialize in casting ceramic bisque
and don't have paint or supplies available on our website. Here are a few examples of glazed
ceramic items:
For Decorative Items and Figurines Using Craft Acrylic Paints
Some advantages of using craft acrylic paint is that they are easy to work with, you can see the
results quickly without having to fire them in a kiln, if you are not satisfied with the results, they
can usually be re-painted easily, and they are inexpensive and widely available at craft and
discount stores.
Some advantages of using craft acrylic paint is that they are easy to work with, you can see the
results quickly without having to fire them in a kiln, if you are not satisfied with the results, they
can usually be re-painted easily, and they are inexpensive and widely available at craft and
discount stores.
Surface Preparation
Craft acrylic paints may be applied directly to decorative ceramic bisque items with no surface
preparation other than the bisque being clean and dry. The casting and cleaning process
sometimes leaves a small amount of ceramic dust on the piece. You can wipe it off with a cloth
or sponge. A slightly dampened cloth or sponge may be used to wipe dust from the bisque and
will dry fairly quickly and be ready to begin painting.
Craft acrylic paints may be applied directly to decorative ceramic bisque items with no surface
preparation other than the bisque being clean and dry. The casting and cleaning process
sometimes leaves a small amount of ceramic dust on the piece. You can wipe it off with a cloth
or sponge. A slightly dampened cloth or sponge may be used to wipe dust from the bisque and
will dry fairly quickly and be ready to begin painting.
A Few Helpful Painting Tips and Hints
Paint Palette-Use a Styrofoam plate for your paint palette. Instead of using the paint from the
containers try putting a small amount on the plate, it is easy and is a great place to mix small
amounts of paint on for custom colors. The plate can be used over and over. If you are using a
larger amount of a custom mixed colors, you may want to use a small container to store it in (a
35mm film container works well) and mix plenty because it is difficult to mix the exact color again
if you need more.
Paint Palette-Use a Styrofoam plate for your paint palette. Instead of using the paint from the
containers try putting a small amount on the plate, it is easy and is a great place to mix small
amounts of paint on for custom colors. The plate can be used over and over. If you are using a
larger amount of a custom mixed colors, you may want to use a small container to store it in (a
35mm film container works well) and mix plenty because it is difficult to mix the exact color again
if you need more.
Painting Tools-Don't be afraid to try objects other than paint brushes. Consider using sponges,
feathers, old cloth rags, etc. With one project I've even used a butter knife to scrape paint off
the edges of the piece to make it look worn and used. Reuse clean food containers such as
butter bowls and cake frosting containers for water to wash your brushes, sponges, etc. Use old
cloth rags or old clothing for cleaning up instead of paper towels. They can be washed in the
washing machine and re-used. For easy clean up of your work area, cover with old newspaper, a
large paper grocery sack, or cardboard. Store your supplies in a small cardboard box, as your
collection grows or box gets messy, change boxes. You can also cut your box shorter if you
would rather have a tray. Use a large clean can that food comes in such as spaghetti sauce or
canned fruit to store your brushes in upright. It doesn't turn over very easily and keeps the tips
of your brushes up in the air where they stay straight.
Furniture Protection with Decorative Items-When You're finished with your project, poster board
or felt can be cut out in the shape of the bottom of your figurine and glued on to help protect
surfaces from scratches. At many craft and hardware stores there are also self adhesive felt
dots available.
feathers, old cloth rags, etc. With one project I've even used a butter knife to scrape paint off
the edges of the piece to make it look worn and used. Reuse clean food containers such as
butter bowls and cake frosting containers for water to wash your brushes, sponges, etc. Use old
cloth rags or old clothing for cleaning up instead of paper towels. They can be washed in the
washing machine and re-used. For easy clean up of your work area, cover with old newspaper, a
large paper grocery sack, or cardboard. Store your supplies in a small cardboard box, as your
collection grows or box gets messy, change boxes. You can also cut your box shorter if you
would rather have a tray. Use a large clean can that food comes in such as spaghetti sauce or
canned fruit to store your brushes in upright. It doesn't turn over very easily and keeps the tips
of your brushes up in the air where they stay straight.
Furniture Protection with Decorative Items-When You're finished with your project, poster board
or felt can be cut out in the shape of the bottom of your figurine and glued on to help protect
surfaces from scratches. At many craft and hardware stores there are also self adhesive felt
dots available.
Using Colors
Whites-If you want areas to be white on your finished piece, even though the bisque is white, it
is best to paint them white before sealing so the piece will have a consistent finish.
Tinting Colors-When using solid colors such as white and black, consider tinting them slightly
before using. You may tint them by mixing a small amount of another color, often the project will
have a nicer appearance and more character by doing this. Examples: Tint black with a touch of
red or brown for a warm black. Tint black with a touch or green or blue for a cool black. Tint
white with a touch of blue or green for a cool white. Tint white with a touch of brown, tan, or
yellow for a warm white.
Whites-If you want areas to be white on your finished piece, even though the bisque is white, it
is best to paint them white before sealing so the piece will have a consistent finish.
Tinting Colors-When using solid colors such as white and black, consider tinting them slightly
before using. You may tint them by mixing a small amount of another color, often the project will
have a nicer appearance and more character by doing this. Examples: Tint black with a touch of
red or brown for a warm black. Tint black with a touch or green or blue for a cool black. Tint
white with a touch of blue or green for a cool white. Tint white with a touch of brown, tan, or
yellow for a warm white.
Base Coats/Over Coats-For multi-color effects, experiment with base coats using contrasting
colors as a base coat and over coat. We've had good results using a darker color (black, brown,
etc.) and dry brushing lighter and brighter colors over them. (Examples: tan, gold, white, etc.)
Here are a few examples of using base coats and over coats:
colors as a base coat and over coat. We've had good results using a darker color (black, brown,
etc.) and dry brushing lighter and brighter colors over them. (Examples: tan, gold, white, etc.)
Here are a few examples of using base coats and over coats:
Antique Gold Finish-Use gold spray paint as the base coat and paint light blue/green on after the
gold dries. While the light blue/green is still wet, wipe most of it off leaving some in the crevices
for a tarnished gold look. Another nice antique gold effect is to paint the entire piece a dark
color such as black and allow to dry. Use a rough sponge such as an ocean sponge and dab
bright gold paint on the piece leaving the black in the crevices. Here are a couple of examples
of Antique Gold Finishes:
gold dries. While the light blue/green is still wet, wipe most of it off leaving some in the crevices
for a tarnished gold look. Another nice antique gold effect is to paint the entire piece a dark
color such as black and allow to dry. Use a rough sponge such as an ocean sponge and dab
bright gold paint on the piece leaving the black in the crevices. Here are a couple of examples
of Antique Gold Finishes:
Dry Brushing-Contrasting colors work well for this. Select a color and paint on the piece as a
base coat. After the base coat dries, use the contrasting colors for dry brushing. Using a stiff
paint brush, get a tiny amount of paint on the brush and dab off most of the paint on a paper
towel, old cloth, cardboard, or Styrofoam plate. Then wipe the paint across the ceramic piece
highlights adding more paint until you like the results. Here are a few examples of dry brushing:
base coat. After the base coat dries, use the contrasting colors for dry brushing. Using a stiff
paint brush, get a tiny amount of paint on the brush and dab off most of the paint on a paper
towel, old cloth, cardboard, or Styrofoam plate. Then wipe the paint across the ceramic piece
highlights adding more paint until you like the results. Here are a few examples of dry brushing:
Washes/Stains-If you want a pastel like finish, you can add a little paint with some water and
paint it on your ceramic piece, darker washes/stains or regular consistency paint can be painted
on the edges as desired for a nice effect. Also for an aged/antique effect, paint the entire piece
as desired and allow to dry. Make a wash/stain using brown or black paint and water and paint
over the piece to give it an aged appearance.
Here are a few examples of using washes and stains:
paint it on your ceramic piece, darker washes/stains or regular consistency paint can be painted
on the edges as desired for a nice effect. Also for an aged/antique effect, paint the entire piece
as desired and allow to dry. Make a wash/stain using brown or black paint and water and paint
over the piece to give it an aged appearance.
Here are a few examples of using washes and stains:
Fabric/Cloth Effect-For quilted and fabric finishes, make alternating areas of solids and patterns.
One easy way to make patterns is by using the handle of a small paint brush dipped into a small
amount of contrasting color paint and then touch it to a painted area on your project in rows for
a polka dot pattern. An easy way to make a flower pattern is by making a dot with yellow and five
dots around it with white or another color of your choice. Try it first on a scrap piece of paper,
etc., it is simple with a little practice. Here are a few examples of fabric and cloth effects:
One easy way to make patterns is by using the handle of a small paint brush dipped into a small
amount of contrasting color paint and then touch it to a painted area on your project in rows for
a polka dot pattern. An easy way to make a flower pattern is by making a dot with yellow and five
dots around it with white or another color of your choice. Try it first on a scrap piece of paper,
etc., it is simple with a little practice. Here are a few examples of fabric and cloth effects:
Finishes-You can either leave the paint unsealed (for matt finish) or you can seal it (for glossy
finish.) We use clear gloss acrylic spray paint for sealer, purchased from a discount store. You
may want to test the clear spray paint on a scrap painted item such as cardboard, etc. to make
sure it is compatible with your acrylic paint. The type we get costs about a dollar a can and we've
had good results with it. It works best for us by applying it in several light coats and allowing it
to dry a little between coats. There are spray ceramic sealers available but they are usually more
expensive.
finish.) We use clear gloss acrylic spray paint for sealer, purchased from a discount store. You
may want to test the clear spray paint on a scrap painted item such as cardboard, etc. to make
sure it is compatible with your acrylic paint. The type we get costs about a dollar a can and we've
had good results with it. It works best for us by applying it in several light coats and allowing it
to dry a little between coats. There are spray ceramic sealers available but they are usually more
expensive.
| We hope you can use some of these ideas. Most of all, be creative, experiment, and have fun! |
Other Painting Ideas, Techniques, and Styles-Airbrush, Glitter Paint, Add-Ons, Etc.
| Here are a few ceramic painting project tips and ideas with example photos that you may find useful. |
| Newest Additions to The Painting Projects Ideas and Tips Section: |
| This is The Byron Nativity Set submitted by Corey in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. |
| On the left, a multi-color sample of one of our Small 3-D Snow Scenes and on the right, a monochromatic sample of one of our Large 3-D Snow Scenes |
