Ceramic Tutorial: how to recycle a vase with chalk paint

Learn how to transform, step by step, your ceramic pieces with chalk paint or chalk paint and glaze

Ceramic lovers know that no piece is destroyed, with a little paint and a lot of creativity we give it a new life. The do it yourself movement (DIY or do it yourself) added to a collective awareness of recycling, allows us to transform the objects around us to keep up with trends and most importantly, express ourselves artistically.

Neus Iserte (@creadecorarecicla), is an expert in chalk paint and this passion has led her to work with some of the most powerful brands on the market and to tour part of Europe thanks to various formations. Now, she returns everything she learned in her workshop, online store and physical store through which thousands of people pass in search of inspiration .

Together with Neus, you will learn how to give a second life to your ceramic pieces with chalk paint or chalk paint, thanks to the best tips to work on these materials with professional results.

Start creating with this video tutorial!

Materiales necesarios para pintar y reciclar un jarrón:

- Pieza de cerámica: Neus utiliza un jarrón, pero puedes elegir cualquier otra.

- Chalk paint o pintura a la tiza.

- Glaze: Es un producto translúcido ideado para crear pátinas y efectos decorativos. Es muy sencillo de usar y permite dar un acabado especial a nuestras piezas.

- Brochas y esponjas de distintos tamaños.

- Papel de cocina o de periódico.

The process, step by step

Below, we detail the process and the expert's tips for working with these materials with professional results.

1. Start by painting the base

The first step in any restoration process is to thoroughly clean the piece, as residue prevents the paint from adhering properly. Once you have your ceramic clean, start applying the base and to do this, use the darkest paint which in this case, is the Lava Gray tone.

Place your piece face down for a more comfortable application and with a large brush start painting.

2. Tips for applying your paint

A very common mistake is applying excessively thick layers of paint. The best results are achieved with thin layers, as this prevents the paint from jumping if the piece receives a blow.

Another super useful trick is to avoid starting to paint at the ends, since the paint would accumulate on the edges and dribbles could form. In addition, it is essential to respect the drying times of each layer and each manufacturer has their own, so we recommend that you consult them before starting.

3. Preparation of the glaze

Once you have achieved a uniform color base, you may need several coats, prepare the glaze for later application.

How to prepare the glaze?

It is a very simple process, you must mix very well in a container glaze at 80% and the tone of chalk paint that you prefer at 20%. You can measure it in different ways. Neus suggests using teaspoons, 8 of glaze and 2 of chalk paint.

This process is an approximation, what you should keep in mind is that the more paint, the greater the opacity and vice versa.

4. Work the glaze layers

You are going to superimpose different layers of glaze with different shades of paint, the key to this technique is that each layer will have a translucent finish, therefore all the shades can be seen .

To work with the layers you must start with the darkest colors and progress until you finish with the lightest tone. With this technique it is important to apply thicker layers, although not necessarily uniform ones.

5. Create textures

To create texture you can use any element, a sponge or newspaper, in this case, Neus works with kitchen paper. You can leave it with a single layer, but the more layers you apply you will achieve more intense textures. Neus applies three textured layers that, as they are different colors, provide a lot of light and depth.

If you liked this tutorial and you want to continue learning with Neus all the secrets of chalk paint, don't miss his online course; Initiation to chalk paint.

Are you passionate about the craft world? This pack of 3 courses to make gifts by hand is the perfect excuse to put your creativity to work.

To continue learning about painting and ceramics:

1. Get started in the world of painting on ceramics with the online course Glazing on ceramics for beginners by Paula Casella Biase.

2. Start creating your work kit with the essential materials to illustrate your ceramics.

3. If finishing with textures is your weakness, we recommend 2 free tutorials to make textures with your hands.

4. Illustration and modeling techniques in ceramics, an online course by Pepa Espinoza.