Paint an underglaze design on a mug

Now put brush to pot with intention.

The task

Paint a simple design (stripes, dots, a simple motif, or a repeating pattern) on a leather-hard or bisque mug using underglaze and a brush.

Requirements

• Lines are crisp (not fuzzy or bleeding)
• Colors stay within boundaries (no accidental smears)
• The design reads clearly from arm's length

Tips

• Use a small, pointed brush for fine lines
• Rotate the mug on a banding wheel for straight horizontal lines
• Rest your painting hand on your other wrist for stability
• Have a damp sponge ready for fixing mistakes immediately

Don't stress perfection

Handmade marks are what make pottery feel alive. But aim for confident, intentional strokes, not sloppy ones.