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DIY: Marbled Terra Cotta Pots

DIY Terra Cotta Pots_title

I have been experimenting with marbling techniques lately, and decided I wanted to give marbled terra cotta a try. However, due to the texture, the material itself, and the paint consistency, my previous techniques that worked great on other materials were just not doing the trick with terra cotta (or any type of ceramic clay for that matter). I was determined to figured it out, so I experimented a bit and gave it another go – and hurrah, it worked! Now, I’m not saying this is THE best way to marble pots…I’m definitely no expert in this area, but I am very pleased with how mine turned out, so thought I’d share the process for you. Click “Read More” to find out what you’ll need and how to do it!

Marbled Pots Marbled Terra Cotta Pot

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Materials Needed

Materials Needed:

  • Acrylic paint (white + at least 2 accent colors)
  • Disposable bin
  • Spare jars or containers (to mix paint)
  • Water
  • Paint brush
  • Pot (terra cotta, or clay)
  • Plastic drop cloth
  • Varnish or Clear spray paint

DIY Marbled Pots_1

[Note: Apologies for the lack of photos – it ain’t easy to photograph the process when you’re an one-woman team and your hands are covered in paint]

Step #1: Mix 4 parts acrylic white paint, with 1 part water. Pour paint into a disposable bin (make sure the bin is wide enough to accommodate your pot). In paint-friendly jars, water-down your accent colors (1 color per jar). Once watered down, use your paint brush to splash drops of the paint colors atop the white paint. At this point, the paint colors will slowly begin to marbleize with the white paint. You can also drag your brush through the paint to add additional lines or patterns. Honestly, just have fun and before moving on, make sure you have multiple pots to experiment with.

Marbling Batch 1

Marbling with Paint

[Note: My first batch shown in top photo; close-up of my second batch shown in second photo]

Step #2: Once your paint bin is prepped and ready, lightly roll the sides of your pot through the paint, until the entire pot is covered. Make sure the pot just gently brushes the surface (you don’t want to over-apply the paint). To roll properly, I found it easiest to position a few fingers from my right hand inside the pot, with one finger from my left hand on the bottom of the pot. You may want to wear gloves, because this part gets messy! Once finished, allow excess paint to drip off pot and set on a plastic drop cloth, top-side down. After 10-15 minutes, flip the pot so that the top side is facing upwards. Changing around the direction while drying will allow for multi-directional movement, instead of just one-way drip patterns.

Pot Drying

Step #3: Once dry, spray with a clear finishing spray or acrylic varnish to seal in the color. Add a few coats, allowing dry time in between each coat. And voilà, a beautiful marbled pot for some lucky plants.

Marbled PotDIY Terra Cotta Pots_2

  1. Happy Friday & Happy Birthday Weekend, Sashie! – Sweet Endeavors

    April 24, 2015 at 4:12 am

    […] i love the idea of marbling terra cotta pots. so fun for […]

  2. Simple DIY Ways To Customize Terracotta Pots | Club Oferteproprietari.ro

    October 13, 2015 at 11:51 am

    […] The marbling technique can be used for a lot of interesting projects, some of which involve terracotta pots. Mix four parts acrylic white paint with one part water into a container big enough to accommodate the pot. Roll the sides of the pot through the paint. Let the excess paint drip and then apply a later of sealer or clear finishing spray. You can find more detailed instructions on Alanajonesmann.com. […]

  3. Linda Albright

    May 25, 2016 at 4:56 am

    Does one part equal out to be one ounce or something else?

  4. Marcie Zeiger

    June 30, 2016 at 4:53 am

    Approximately how much white paint did you use?

  5. 16 Creative DIY Decoration Ideas For Your Terracotta Flower Pots To Try Right Now - Tumree Blog

    August 6, 2016 at 4:50 am

    […]                                                                Source […]

  6. Lindsay

    August 6, 2016 at 7:12 am

    I made these last night and rested the base of the pots on top of (empty!) wine bottles to drip/dry overnight. The holes at the bottom of the pot fit PERFECTLY over the corks, so they remained stablized. 🙂

  7. 16 Amazing DIY Terracotta Flower Pot Ideas That Makes You Go Wow! - Tumree Blog

    August 8, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    […]                                                                Source […]

  8. | BHG Style Spotters

    August 12, 2016 at 6:07 am

    […] ago, but now it marbled plates, bowls, mugs, and yes, even planters. Alana Jones-Mann warns that this project, while beautiful, is VERY messy. Plan to have a dropcloth and maybe even disposable gloves. Use any combination of colors, and be […]

  9. 16 Amazing DIY Terracotta Flower Pot Ideas That Makes You Go Wow! - Home Decor and DIY Ideas Blog - Tumree

    August 18, 2016 at 2:36 am

    […]                                                                Source […]

  10. 10 Free Online Courses on Clay Painting » A guide to free online courses

    October 25, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    […] DIY: marbled terracotta pots Here you will find instructions to one of the most creative ways to paint your pots! Nor is it only easy to do, but super fun as well! You can literally add various textures to your paints on pot using this technique. […]

  11. Amanda

    January 31, 2017 at 9:42 am

    Do you water down the accent colors with the same ratio? 4:1?

  12. Simple DIY Ways To Customize Terracotta Pots - Home Decorating DIY

    April 15, 2017 at 1:59 am

    […] The marbling method can be utilized for lots of fascinating tasks, a few of which contain terracotta pots. Combine 4 elements acrylic white paint with one half water right into a container large enough to accommodate the pot. Roll the edges of the pot by means of the paint. Let the surplus paint drip after which apply a later of sealer or clear ending spray. You will discover extra detailed directions on Alanajonesmann.com. […]

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