Painting ceramics advice? 26 July 2014 at 5:33AM in Crafting 5 replies 1.1K views

carlamarie_2

Hi can anyone give me advice please?

I have two ceramic Buddha heads (not the fat Buddha, the one with the bobbles on the head, please google Buddha statue and you'll understand what I mean!)
They are currently all white (no glaze or shine) and I'm wanting to change them to look more like they do in the shops. Ie. painting all brown, painting the bobbly bits gold then wiping off so (hopefully) it leaves gold in all the nooks and cranny. And possibly picking out the features (mouth, eyebrows etc) in gold. Finally, I would like them to have a high shine.

Is this possible? And what paints should I be using? And to create the shine? Anything I've not considered?

They are about 30cms tall and live on my bathroom windowsills atm, but in the new house there's no room for them. I have seen a picture I like for my second living room with the same image on and thought, rather than get rid of these and buy more in the right colours, I could 'upcycle' these ones to match!

glynisrose

Use ceramic paints?

carlamarie_2

I feel so stupid! Why did I not think of that!

Katiehound

As they are not glazed or shiny I'm wondering if you could use emulsion paint- possibly even a tester pot. ( or tester pot of exterior emulsion.) Then highlight with gold paint and rub back. Perhaps acrylic varnish to finish?

High shine: shoe polish?

perhaps worth an experiment or two on the underside!!

carlamarie_2

Ooh I'll try that, I have a bit of emulsion in the shed. I'm guessing it would be cheaper than ceramic paints, thank you

Katiehound

I think maybe gloss paint would also work. (Always try out first- somewhere that won't show!!)

For a stunning gloss you might try Humbrol model making paints- they come in tiny tins. The clear varnish gives a wonderful shine but only works on a non porous surface. And of course theye have the very shiny paint too.....maybe work a look. Be aware you have to use special thinners to clean the brushes not turps/white spirit with the Humbrol- or use an old brush and ditch.