Surface Design on Ceramics by Cindy Willingham

Intermediate | 19 min 36 sec

Surface Design on Ceramics
Overview00:44
Materials01:04
Paint a wax resist03:21
Glaze mug03:11
Use stencils for glaze resist 11:16

Taught by Cindy Willingham

This class will be available to view on April 22, 2026.
Painter and potter Cindy Willingham shares two approachable resist techniques to add depth and personality to your ceramic work. Working with bisque-fired pieces, Cindy begins by demonstrating how to use wax resist and a paintbrush to freehand a botanical-inspired design. She then introduces vinyl-cut stencils, offering practical tips for applying them smoothly, glazing with confidence, and removing them cleanly afterward. See how these decorative techniques, combined with your own creative touch, can lead to truly one-of-a-kind ceramics.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Bisque fired mug - you may also use raw clay mug that is not bone dry
Ceramic glaze or underglaze and paintbrush - makeup brushes are inexpensive and work well
Wax resist
Fine tipped paint brush
Kiln
Sponge and water
Template for stencils and/or stickers - download as a PDF or as an SVG file
Clear lint roller or clear contact paper
Putty knife
Scissors
Weeding tool

Downloads:

Download Materials List Surface_Design_on_Ceramics_Stencil_PDF_Template.pdf

Learn how to:

Use wax resist and stencils to create surface designs on ceramics
Freehand a wax resist design onto bisque-fired projects and add glaze
Apply a vinyl-cut stencil to a bisque-fired project, add glaze, and remove the stencil