Lesson: Students will decorate flowerpots to develop creative-thinking and fine-motor skills.
ACTIVITY 1. Students will prime the flower pots using white primer. Tell them to be careful because the pots are breakable. Explain that they must first paint the pot white with a special type of paint called primer. Once the primer has dried they can then use other paint colors to decorate their flowerpots.
2. Research a Theme. As the primer is drying students are required to research a theme, find a subject, research an artist, or find a reference picture. Once students find an image ask them to practice sketching the image out on paper first (for less advanced students use the granite transfer technique and trace the image on the pot). The challenging part is to find images or sketch out designs so that it covers the entire pot.
Practice: Students can practice the importance of tones and shades before they begin. Click here for references.
3 Find an area in the classroom can paint their pots. Spread newspaper or a large sheet of brown paper over the area. Give them smocks, paintbrushes, and primer paint. Encourage them to paint the entire outside surface of their pots.
3 Engage the group in a discussion about different ways they can decorate their flowerpots. What types of designs or patterns could they make? Invite them to take turns drawing different shapes, patterns, and designs on a sheet of chart paper.
4 Give them colored tempera paints and small paintbrushes to decorate their pots. Place finished pots in a safe area to dry. 5 When dry, display the pots on a table in the classroom. Ask children to notice all the different designs.
How to Clean a Used Clay Flower Pot Before Painting
To repurpose a used terra cotta pot, be sure to thoroughly clean it first before sealing and decorating.
Thoroughly remove dirt and salt residue; if needed, scrub the surface with a wire brush.
Once clean of dirt and debris, soak the flower pot in a solution of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach for 24 hours in order to kill any lingering bacteria.
After soaking, thoroughly rinse the pot with clean water and allow it to dry completely. Follow by sealing your terra cotta pot before decorating.
How to Prepare a Terra Cotta Clay Flower Pot for Painting
Clean the flower pot by wiping away any dust and dirt with a slightly damp sponge or rag.
Next, seal the flower pot by applying two coats of sealer—inside and out—using either Clay Pot Sealer or FolkArt Outdoor Sealer. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.
Once the sealed clay pot is dry, it is ready to be painted. For flower pots that will be used outdoors, use either FolkArt Outdoor or FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint. For painted flower pots that will be used inside, use any of our premium-quality acrylic paints—FolkArt Acrylics, Delta Ceramcoat, or Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint.
Tips for Painting on Clay Flower Pots
Most clay pots found in stores are unglazed and porous—meaning they are not waterproof. Unglazed or unsealed terra cotta will draw moisture away from the plant and soil, keeping the pot moist, which in turn may affect the external decoration by causing the paint to blister.
Not only does sealing your flower pot prevent blistering of your decorated design on the outside of the pot, it also helps the interior of the flower pot keep the soil moist.
If intending to use the painted flower pot outside, opt for FolkArt Outdoor Sealer, available as a brush-on sealer in three finishes: Matte, Satin, and Gloss; the polyurethane-based sealer provides the maximum durability for outdoor projects.
To give the painted design an extra layer of protection, apply a coat of FolkArt Outdoor Sealer after 48 hours when the paint has completely cured.
For best results, use FolkArt Outdoor, Apple Barrel Acrylics, FolkArt Acrylics, or one of our multi-surface paints when painting terra cotta pots.