Can You Paint Clay With Watercolor Paint?
We love sharing non-glaze ways for adding color to your ceramic projects. Kids (adults, too) will love how simple it is to use watercolor paints on clay projects. Get all our Art teacher tips below for when you skip the glaze!
This art project tutorial has been a long-time reader favorite since June 2022. I recently updated this post in August 2025 with clearer instructions and my key Art teacher takeaways.
Watercolor isn’t just for paper, but is a fun and kid-friendly way to add color to those clay projects. Whether liquid or in a palette, watercolors save both time and money compared to glazes, and you can still add different clear coats afterward for a shiny, glass-like finish.
Why use watercolor paint on clay?
- SHOWS TEXTURES – Flows easily into details, making designs stand out.
- EASY CLEAN-UP – Brushes rinse quickly with water
- INSTANT RESULTS – Unlike clay glazes that require firing, kids see the colors as they paint.
- VERSATILE – Try various watercolor techniques, such as dry brushing or washes right on clay projects.
- LAYERING – Transparent colors can easily be layered to create a painterly effect (some real ceramic artists will even thin down glazes to get this appearance)
- OPTIONS FOR SEALING – Add a variety of clear coats for protection & shine
- FULL COVERAGE – Paint can easily cover the whole project. When painting the bottom of a clay piece, you won’t have to worry about it sticking to the kiln shelves
Can you use watercolor on air-dry clay?
You can use watercolor paint on air dry clay. It is just important that you do not wet the clay too much and that you seal it afterward.
Bisque-fired or unglazed ceramic pieces that have been in the kiln will work best for painting with watercolor due to having a porous clay surface. However, we know that not everyone has access to a kiln, so don’t shy away from trying watercolor on air-dry clay pieces.
Supplies you’ll need
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Extra Notes
- Scholarly paint palette is fine for kids.
- We love using these brushes when working on projects with children.
- Try this triple glaze for extra shine.
WANT BRIGHTER COLORS? If you want brighter and more vibrant colors, try liquid watercolors (even these fluorescent ones).
Other Types of Paint to Consider
- Tempera Paints
- Acrylic Paints
- Spray Paint
- Alcohol Inks
- Fabric Paint
- Rub and Buff or Metallic Acrylic Paint
ART TEACHER TIP – For best results, teach children how to mix colors carefully to avoid muddy colors. Teaching them the proper way to use the palette will help projects stay vibrant.
Tips For Using Watercolor Paint On Clay
In this example, we will show you how we painted a clay pinch pot fish project using a Scholastic watercolor paint palette and Mod Podge spray for a shiny effect.
- COMPLETELY FIRE OR DRY – This fish is a bisque fire clay project. Wet clay will not work.
- LEAVE WHITE – Remind kids it’s okay to let the clay show through. It’s the only way to keep something white.
- CLEAN BRUSHES PROPERLY – Use two water containers (one dirty water, one clean water) to prevent muddy colors. We also like these water containers for painting with large groups of children because they have two sides. You have to teach children to fill the container only halfway up.
- USE WASHES – Layering similar colors can really give a fun painterly feel.
- EXPLORE TEXTURE – A mixture of paint and water on their brushes will help all their sculpture details stand out.
- EXTRA SHINE – Apply a generous amount of clear coat spray to achieve a similar effect to a glazed clay piece.
RELATED PROJECT – If you haven’t seen how to use oil pastels on clay, then you need to check that out next!
Watercolor Paint vs. Traditional Glazes
The two fish projects below were both made from white ceramic clay and bisque-fired. The orange and yellow ceramic fish was glazed with Mayco Stroke and Coat and Amaco glazes.
The cool-colored fish was done with watercolor and sprayed with ultra-glossy Mod Podge. Both animal clay projects are very cool and kids would love creating.
Watercolor On Clay: Common Questions Asked
Absolutely. Watercolor paints are some of the easiest ways to get young children to paint. Children love to choose their own paint color with a watercolor palette.
Giving kids choices is part of the creative process. A watercolor palette is an easy way to give them creative freedom.
Yes, sealing is recommended for extra protection and shine. Remember that even with a protective coat, these painted clay items will not be food-safe.
The cons are similar to those encountered when using tempera paint or acrylic paint on clay. Watercolor paint differs from some glazes in that it is not food-safe. You would only want to paint ceramic pieces that are for decorative purposes.
No, watercolor paint will “stain” the clay body for a painterly look.
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Related Ideas
Watercolor paint is an excellent solution when you don’t have the time and money for traditional glaze. Have fun experimenting with watercolor techniques on your future clay items.