Painting on terra cotta or clay doesn't really require any special treatment if your garden art object is brand new. 9-times-out-of-10 it'll be clean enough and you'll be able to apply the base coat from the get-go.

Obviously, if your terra cotta or clay object has already been used outside, you'll want to wash it to ensure your painting efforts aren't wasted because you started with a dirty working surface. Why have your finish peel off on-up-the-road?

SIDENOTE: People tend to use "terra cotta" and "clay" interchangeably. What's the technical difference between these two terms? Very simply, terra cotta is a clay "mud" that is fired at a lower temperature than the harder "stoneware". So, "clay" is really not a technically correct way to refer to garden flower pots and planters.

If it's a pot that's been previously planted in … then do indeed wash it! Here are some good steps to follow:

• Soak the clay or terra cotta pot in a solution of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water. (The longer you soak pots, the easier they'll be to clean. Many crafters will soak their pots for 24 hours.)

• Remove all dirt or fertilizer "salt" reside -- that's the "white stuff" you probably see caked up around the rim and possibly leeched through on the sides of the pot. A wire brush or knife work well to scrape and remove any built-up deposits.

• Once your pot is thoroughly cleaned, soak it for apprx.
  15 minutes in clear water to thoroughly remove any remaining bleach.

• Allow it to dry thoroughly.

Alright, now you've got a clean pot. On to the next step ...

It's up to you, but I always apply a white, beige-ish or black base coat before painting either terra cotta or clay. (The base color depends on the color palette I'm using.) This covers up the pot's color which allows my chosen colors to "read" truer.

And, terra cotta/clay is porous. A base coat also serves as a sealer. I use either a "cheap" generic brand spray paint — spraying is so quick and easy — or I'll brush on the base coat.
It just depends on the project and my mood!

If the object is a garden pot, I spray 2 coats of a clear urethane sealer on the inside to help it retain more water/moisture in the soil AND to help prolong the life of the exterior's painted finish. (Moisture working its way from the inside of the pot to the outside could cause the exterior finish
to bubble or start peeling.)

Because terra cotta is fired at lower temperatures, it is quite porous. It continually wicks water from the soil which causes your painted finish to peel. As I mentioned, painting the inside of the pot is an important step. Make sure to do it!

Following these simple steps will really insure a nice, long lasting finish on all your garden pottery for years to come.

Happy Painting :-)  

• How to Paint Terra Cotta -- Tips for Outdoor Use
• The easy and versatile technique of Daubing
• Classic Verdigris Patina Faux Painting Technique
• Handy Paint Project Supplies

Please keep coming back — I'm adding more projects all the time :-)