Colouring Clay

Many clay products such as polymer and foam clay can be purchased pre-coloured. Stone based air dry clay’s are usually white, grey or terracotta. If you want to colour your clay there are two main techniques; 

• Pre- cured - wet clay
• Post cured - dry clay

Colouring some stone based clay pre-cured doesn't always work well so it is important to experiment with a small piece of clay and colour pigments beforehand. 

There are an abundance of pigments that can be used to add colour and shimmer to your creations. In addition to using tempura and acrylic paints, air dry clay can be coloured with marker pens, inks, chalks and dyes. Glitter glue and metallic powders can also be added for extra sparkle and great effects. Remember that air dry clay is porous and the finished creation should be sealed with a varnish.

Before adding a colourant to uncured clay knead the clay to soften it making it easier to accept the colour. Gradually add the colourant a small drop at a time, making sure you work it in fully before adding more. Continue adding a few drops at a time until you are satisfied with the shade. Colouring clay can be very messy so be sure to work over a surface that can be easily cleaned or thrown away, such as plastic sheeting or newspaper.

Acrylic, Oil and Poster Paints

Adding paint to clay before it is cured is one of the best options and most paints can be 

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used including acrylic, oil or poster paints. Acrylic paints are one of the most popular paints to use and are available in hundreds of different colours. Artist quality acrylics and oils will provide stronger deeper colours than the cheaper craft paints but craft paints still work well.

When using paints post cured, make sure that the creation is completely dry before you start painting. With most air dry clays it is recommended that the piece is allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before painting.

Acrylic paint works well on most air dry clay’s especially stone based and cold porcelain clay. When mixing paints test the final colour on paper first but remember that the colour on clay may be slightly lighter on paper. Try and mix sufficient colour for you piece or make sure you record the exact quantities of each colour, in order to be able to recreate the same shade again.

Use a variety of fine detailed good quality paint brushes to paint on the clay creations so as to ensure an even flow and detail. Nylon brushes work best with acrylic paints and natural (China) brushes for oil paints. Always make sure you clean you brush after each colour and never leave the brush upright in water, otherwise it will distort the brush tip. 

Most paints will need two coats so be sure to allow the first coat to completely dry before adding the next coat. Protect the finished painted creation with at least two coats of good quality varnish.

Metallic and Glitter Powder

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Metallic Powders such as Sculpey Glitter and Fimo Metallic add beautiful shimmer and sparkle to jewellery and clay projects. These can be used on most clay but work really well with polymer clay. It can be used as a surface colouring treatment either before or after the clay is cured. It can also be mixed into uncured clay by adding a small drop at a time and gradually working it in until you achieve the desired effect. There are a number of different powders and glitters such as Rose, Gold, Silver, Green, Bronze, and Copper. Mixing the powder into uncured clay can produce some great effects such as faux stone and marble.

Permanent Pens, Alcohol inks and Marker pens

Pens and inks are a great way to colour clay and it can also be a cleaner way than using paints. They can also be used on cured or uncured clay in a similar way to paints.

   

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 Alcohol inks and permanent pens will provide a lovely pastel colour in uncured clay, it doesn’t provide a deep intense colour. This method is great with cold porcelain as it will provide a tinted transparency when the clay air dries. Add a few dabs or drops and knead into the clay until it is fully absorbed and leaves an even smooth finish. 

Washable marker pens are great to use with kids creative play as they are easier to clean but don’t work so well if you are trying to achieve a professional finish to your creation. 

When mixing the colour try to ensure that hands are completely dry, it is also useful to have some baby wipes close by to easily clean your hands and prevent colour transfers.

Using pens on cured clay can also be really effective and often enable a lot more intricate 

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details on the creations. It is a good idea to draw your design in pencil on the cured clay first and then colour in just like colouring in a picture.

If you are using water based pens make sure that each colour dries first before touching the creation otherwise the colours may run. Don’t use water on your creation when using water based pens as this will also make the colours run.

It is also a good idea to experiment a little with marker pens and inks before using on your clay creations as some pens and inks may bleed when varnish is added because the colour is not completely dry.

Food Colouring

Food colouring provides a similar affect as alcohol inks and marker pens as it will not provide a deep intense colour but can provide a pastel or tint effect.

This type of method can be very messy although cake colourants can be purchased in gels and paste forms. Food colourants work best when mixed with uncured clay. They can also be used on cured clay although this will provide a stained effect rather than a smooth paint effect.

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Fabric Dyes

Fabric dyes are very similar to food colourants and can be mixed with uncured clay to provide a tinted or pastel coloured clay. They can also be painted onto the cured clay piece and will leave a stained effect colouring. Using fabric dye is very messy and it is important to work over newspaper and wear rubber gloves or you hands will be stained for days!

Useful Notes:

• If possible only colour enough uncured clay required for your project as some coloured clay, such as cold porcelain don’t store well and can turn mouldy.

• Try experimenting with different colourants and clay until satisfied with the outcome.

• Clean the surface of clay before painting to prevent airborne particles and dust settling and showing up on the paint finish. 

• Make sure the finished painted creations are dust free before applying each coat of varnish.