One question weโre often asked is: โwhat should I paint on my pottery?โ Naturally, the answer is โanything you like!โ but sometimes, itโs hard to know where to begin.
To help you, we've compiled ten easy pottery painting ideas that even a complete beginner can try at home. We promise you that, with a little practice, youโll find painting pottery to be just as soothing to the senses as sculpting it, and we canโt wait to see what you come up with!
1. Star signs
Whether youโre a loud and proud Leo, a curious Capricorn, or a highly sceptical Scorpio, zodiac art makes the perfect theme for artists of all stripes. Painting with zodiac art personalises your creations and makes them ideal as a birthday gift or stocking filler. For maximum impact, dot on the constellation points matching theย astrological signย of choice, then connect the dots with a fine ceramic marker or a thin brush dipped in gold or silver acrylic paint.
2. Lavender haze
Itโs officially the colour of the year. Whether itโs adorning the eyelids of A-Listers or influencing our interior design choices,ย โdigital lavenderโย is taking the world by storm. If youโre ready to bid adieu to millennial pink, why not upgrade your porcelain with a cool wash of lavender haze? We love thisย chequered trinket dishย thatโs just asking to be filled with some handmade ceramic jewellery.
3. Landmarks
Pottery with a travel theme isn't only for souvenir stores in tourist traps! Whether youโre a Parisan at heart, a devoted London lass, or someone whose heart beats for Barbados, pottery makes a wonderful tribute to a place you call home. Why not decorate a plate or coaster with a national flower, skyline orย iconic landmark?
4. Emojis
No matter your age, it's hard to resist using the lure of emojis, and letโs face it โ we all secretly have a favourite. Emojis are the perfect shape and size to adorn aย handmade coaster, making an excellent gift for a child or teen. Whether itโs the classic grin, expressive heart eyes, or cool-guy sunglasses, pick their most-used emoji and load up your brush with plenty of bright yellow paint.
5. Abstract animals
Single line tattoos are all the rage at the moment, favoured for their modern and minimalistic look. For a less permanent alternative, why not decorate your creation with anย abstract line drawingย of your favourite animal? It's best to use a fine ceramic marker rather than a brush for this, and to sketch out the design first lightly in pencil.
6. Summer fruits
Paint your five-a-day with theseย handmade fruit bowlsย โ the perfect activity for a lazy summer afternoon. These bowls look wonderful as a full set of โfruitsโ, so could be well suited to a family craft session. Pick your favourite citrus fruit and remember to paint both the interior and outside for the fullest effect.
7. Flower power
Whether you're a seasoned botanical artist or just starting out, flora can be surprisingly simple to paint โ especially with a little help. Asย this guideย shows, you donโt need to be Van Gogh to master sunflowers, and layering flowers like gerbera daisies, tulips, and Japanese cherry blossoms around the curve of a vase or plate makes for a beautiful display.
8. Polka dots
Are you simply dotty about coffee? Why not take inspiration from the quintessential โPolka Dotโ collection by Emma Bridgewater and greet your morning flat white with a little extra cheer? Or is a monochrome design more your cup of tea? Pop black spots on a white layer of paint to create a sleek design that Cruella would kill to sip from.
9. Happy little trees
If your heart answers to the call of the wild, then you will love thisย dark forest designย thatโs ideal for painting beginners. Or for something more elaborate, take inspiration from the king of the โhappy little treesโ himself, Bob Ross, and decorate your ceramics with an atmospheric range ofย misty mountains.
10. On cloud nine
The sky's the limit when it comes to simple-yet-creative painting ideas. However, last on our list is a dreamy cloud-print that you may have spotted on our Instagram recently. We love this cheerfulย cloud-print trayย that was created by one of our talented customers.
So there you have it, ten creative ideas for painting pottery at home! Ready to get started? Ourย air-dry pottery kitย has everything you need, including eight premium acrylic paints, two bristle paint brushes, plus a base coat and varnish for a glossy finish.
For more inspo, be sure to check out ourย Instagramย andย TikTok, or you can download ourย free bonus guideย here. Happy painting!
