Adding the finishing touches

Decorating & Finishing

Adding the Finishing Touches

We've made it to the final touches! This is where everything comes together - colour, form, feeling. I'm just refining a vase I made earlier with a more elaborate design - it's a bit floral, a bit pumpkin or strawberry-like, with these little sculpted ridges and petals. Whatever you've made, now's your moment to bring out its character and seal in all your hard work.

You will need

• Acrylic paints
• Gloss or matte varnish
• Galeria gloss varnish
• Paint pens

Refining Your Paintwork

Once the first layers of paint are dry, you can go in and:

• deepen colours - add richness or shadows
• smooth blends - soften transitions between tones
• add highlights or extra pops - bring energy and focus.

It's all about adjusting what you've already done. Just take your time and enjoy the process.

This is where paint pens can also come in handy - for details, veins, outlines, or playful embellishments.

Sealing with Varnish

This step is key for making your vase watertight and giving it that lovely finished look.

• Wait a couple of days for your pot to fully dry - this helps avoid peeling when you varnish.
• Use either gloss or matte varnish - I like Sculpt brand, but anything designed for acrylics will work.
• Apply a thin layer, let it dry completely, then do another if needed.

Don't forget to varnish:

• the inside, especially the bottom
• the outside base
• every nook and curve.

If you miss the bottom or inside, you might get a soggy pot and a wet shelf - not ideal, but easily avoidable!

"Let the vase tell you what it needs. Follow its curves, listen to its shapes."