37 Pottery Painting Ideas You'll Want to Try at Your Next Visit

Ever sat down to paint pottery, looked at a blank mug or plate and thought...

"I have absolutely no idea what to paint!"

You're definitely not alone!

One of the questions we hear most at Happy Glaze Pottery is:

"Have you got any ideas?"

The answer is always yes!

Whether you're painting your first mug, making a birthday gift or creating something special for your home, here are some of our favourite pottery painting ideas to inspire your next visit.

1. Highland Cows

One of our most popular designs. Cute, fluffy and surprisingly easy to paint with a little patience.

2. Strawberries

Perfect for mugs, bowls and plates. Add little white flowers and green leaves for a fresh summer look.

3. Cherries

Simple, colourful and always in style.

4. Lemons

Bright Mediterranean vibes that look beautiful on kitchen pottery.

5. Blueberries

A lovely choice if you prefer softer colours.

Animal Lovers

Animals are always popular with both children and adults.

Ideas include:

• Highland cows

• Ducks

• Sausage dogs

• Bees

• Robins

• Puffins

• Foxes

• Highland calves

• Cats

• Dogs

• Turtles

• Frogs

• Dinosaurs

• Dragons

• Axolotls

If drawing isn't your thing, don't worry. We have plenty of stencils, tracing paper and friendly staff to help you get started.

Floral Designs

Flowers never go out of fashion.

Try painting:

• Wildflowers

• Lavender

• Sunflowers

• Daisies

• Roses

• Tulips

• Poppies

• Eucalyptus

• Cherry blossom

These designs look especially lovely on mugs, vases and serving platters.

Personalised Gifts

Hand-painted pottery makes a thoughtful gift for almost any occasion.

Popular ideas include:

• Teacher gifts

• New baby keepsakes

• Wedding gifts

• Anniversary presents

• Birthday mugs

• Pet bowls

• Name mugs

• Initials with flowers

• Family plates

• Housewarming gifts

People always appreciate something that's been made especially for them.

Fun Food Designs

Food-themed pottery is having a huge moment.

Try painting:

• Sardines

• Tomatoes

• Cherries

• Croissants

• Strawberries

• Mushrooms

• Pasta bows

• Olives

• Coffee cups

• Butter dishes

They're fun, colourful and perfect for kitchens.

Seasonal Ideas

One of the best things about pottery painting is creating decorations you'll use year after year.

Spring

• Easter bunnies

• Daffodils

• Lambs

• Chicks

Summer

• Ice creams

• Sunshine

• Beach huts

• Seashells

• Watermelons

Autumn

• Pumpkins

• Mushrooms

• Hedgehogs

• Leaves

Christmas

Christmas is one of our favourite times of year!

Some of our most popular ideas include:

• Reindeer handprints

• Christmas trees

• Snowmen

• Gingerbread men

• Polar bears

• Robin mugs

• Personalised baubles

• Family ornaments

(Yes... we paint Christmas pottery all year round!)

Simple Pottery Painting Ideas for Beginners

You don't need to be artistic to create something you'll love.

Some of the easiest designs include:

• Polka dots

• Colour blocking

• Stripes

• Hearts

• Stars

• Rainbows

• Splatter effects

• Fingerprints

• Simple flowers

• Initials

Sometimes the simplest designs turn out to be the most effective.

Trendy Ideas

Looking for something a little more modern?

Why not try:

• Checkerboard patterns

• Wavy smiley faces

• Disco cherries

• Bows

• Coquette style florals

• Cottagecore mushrooms

• Moody florals

• Sage green leaves

• Minimalist line art

• Colourful squiggles

These are especially popular with teenagers and adults.

Pottery Ideas for Children

Children love choosing their own designs.

Popular choices include:

• Dinosaurs

• Dragons

• Unicorns

• Sharks

• Tractors

• Footballs

• Princesses

• Monsters

• Rainbows

• Favourite colours

There are no rules. The best pottery is the one that makes them smile.

Don't Worry About Being Artistic

One of the biggest misconceptions about pottery painting is that you have to be creative.

You really don't.

Many of our customers tell us they "can't paint" before they start... and then leave with something they're incredibly proud of.

Our team are always happy to offer ideas, demonstrate techniques or help with stencils and tracing if you'd like a little extra confidence.

The most important thing is simply enjoying the experience.

Ready to Paint?

Whether you've already got an idea or you're still deciding between strawberries, dragons or Highland cows, we'd love to welcome you to Happy Glaze Pottery.

Choose your pottery, relax with a coffee or cake and spend a couple of hours creating something completely unique.

Who knows... your masterpiece might even inspire the next version of this blog!

Happy painting! 🎨