Pottery Painting in London: What to Expect

Pottery painting is the easiest way into ceramics — no wheel, no raw clay, no experience required. Here's what a session at our Waterloo studio actually involves.

What Pottery Painting Is

Rather than building a piece from scratch, you're decorating a bisque-fired piece — unglazed ceramic that's already been through its first firing, ready to take colour. You choose a form (mug, plate, bowl, or small decorative piece), then spend around two hours painting it with ceramic paints and glazes, with Bora on hand throughout to help with technique.

Why It's a Good Starting Point

• No prior experience or artistic background needed
• Lower pressure than hand-building — you're decorating, not constructing
• Works well for mixed-comfort groups, including hen parties, birthdays, and family sessions
• Still results in a genuinely fired, food-safe, dishwasher-safe piece — not a craft-fair souvenir

Pricing

£6 booking fee per person, plus your chosen piece (£18–£45 depending on form and size).

What Happens After

Once you've finished painting, Bora glazes and kiln-fires every piece — a process that takes approximately two to three weeks. You'll be messaged when it's ready to collect from the Waterloo studio.

Location

The studio is in Waterloo, SE1, a two-minute walk from Waterloo station and two minutes from Lambeth North.

Book a Session

See full availability and all workshop types on our Pottery Classes in London page, or if you're ready to try hand-building instead, read about the difference between painting and hand-building.