Dixie Dot's Pottery Painting guide... for beginners!

Never been to Dixie Dot before? Never been pottery painting before?

We get it, it can be a bit scary if someone suggests it and you don't believe you are creatively or artistically gifted - you might think it's not for you.

We're here to help!

Take a look at our handy guide to boost your confidence to get started:

Step 1: Choose Your Piece

Start small and simple! Great beginner choices:

• A lovely mug ☕

• A snack-size plate 🍪

• A pen pot ✏️

• Coasters or tile 🎨

• A seasonal ornament 🎄

Anything that is heavily carved or detailed might be a little trickier until you've had a bit of practice, maybe choose something that is more of a 'blank canvas' for your first time.

Step 2: Prep your Pottery

• Wipe your bisque piece gently with a damp sponge to remove dust. It stops your brush from drying out quickly and helps with the glaze finish too.

• Try not to touch the surface too much afterward (those sneaky finger oils or food grease can affect paint and glaze adhesion!).

Step 3: Plan Your Design

• Lightly sketch with one of the water based felt tips provided (it burns off in the kiln!).

• Alternatively you could go wild with freehand patterns, stencils, stamps, or sponges... even finger painting. We've got lots of ideas and samples in the studio to show you.

  
  

Step 4: Pick Your Paints

We use specialist ceramic glazes that become shiny and food-safe after kiln firing. Use 2–3 coats for bold colour. Mix with a little water if you want a wash effect. Colours will look different before firing—trust the kiln magic!

Step 5: Painting Time!

Try these fun techniques:

• Dotting with the end of a brush

• Masking Tape to create straight lines or geometric shapes

• Sponging for soft texture or to cover a much larger area

• Stickers to helping to transfer shapes or painting over to give a negative space

• Tracing - bring a picture with you and we will show you how to trace it onto your pottery using Clay Carbon paper

• Layering colours for full coverage

• Detailing with fine brushes or a toothpick - try scratching into drying paint

  
  

Let each coat dry before adding another - when the shine has completely disappeared it's ready to be layered. If you are wanting a solid colour 3 coats should be enough.

If you are wanting a light colour over a dark colour, do this about 5 times or it will fade and you won't be able to see it.

Step 6: Leave the Magic to Us!

Once you’re finished, we glaze and fire your masterpiece in our kiln. It gets up to over 1,000°C—super toasty - and that's when the magic happens. This part of the process could take anything from a few days to a week. When the kiln is cool, your shiny, durable, colourful piece is ready!

Dixie Dot's Top Tips

• Don’t paint the base rim—your piece could stick in the kiln so we will likely have to wipe it off (a process called 'dryfooting'.)

• Make sure you have clean hands, if you are snacking when you are here, it's best to stop, eat, wash hands and then continue.

• Made a mistake? Don't panic, you haven't ruined it! You can usually wipe them off before firing. Shout for a member of the team who will be able to give advice for the best results.

• Relax. There are no wrong choices in art!

🌟 You Did It!

You’re now officially a pottery painter!

Tag us in your creations @dixiedotcrafts and share the joy!