
Shades of Siena
Create the look of an Italian garden by painting terra-cotta pots

The raised motif will stand out from the background best with contrasting and tone-on-tone color combinations, such as darker and lighter shades of green. Always start with a completely dry pot; paint won’t adhere to a wet surface.
QUICK PROJECT
- Terra-cotta pot with relief
- Spray paint for base coat
- Foam brush
- Water-base polyester paint for relief
- Stain and color wash
- Artist’s brush
- Glaze
1. Apply the base coat. We used spray paint in a mustard color. (If you intend to place soil in the pot, use a plastic liner or coat the inside with a sealer and do not paint over it.)
2. Paint the relief. With a foam brush, apply a polyester paint to the relief.
3. Add depth. We applied Delta Color Mist in leaf green over the entire surface. This nonaerosol spray paint is a transparent stain and color wash that gives a light glaze without completely concealing the underlying colors. If you can’t find this product, use a diluted solution of polyester paint as a color wash.
4. Apply highlights. Use an artist’s brush to trace the raised motif with a decorative glaze. PaintsDelta Technical Coatings (800/423-4135): Air-Dry PermEnamel in light khaki, crocus yellow, dark goldenrod, and adobe clay (for the peach-colored fruit); Delta Color Mist sprays in tea dye brown, fruitwood, and leaf green. Plaid Enterprises (800/842-4197): decorator glazes in Tuscan sunset and lilac.