Underglaze Chalk Crayons: A Fun and Easy Way to Add Color to Your Ceramics

Whether you’re new to ceramics or looking to experiment with new decorating techniques, underglaze chalk crayons are a versatile and beginner-friendly tool for pottery decoration. These chalk-like crayons allow you to add color and shading to bisque-fired pottery, opening up endless creative possibilities for artists of all ages. Let’s explore what makes underglaze chalk crayons so unique, their benefits and challenges, and why they’re perfect for both beginners and children.

What Are Underglaze Chalk Crayons?

Underglaze chalk crayons are made from clay and pigments, designed to be applied to pottery before glazing and firing. Unlike liquid underglazes or paints, these crayons have a soft texture, making them easy to apply and blend. Once your design is complete, you simply cover the piece with a clear glaze, and the crayon marks will remain visible after firing.

Why Use Underglaze Chalk Crayons?

1. Soft and Blendable
   One of the greatest advantages of underglaze chalk crayons is their ability to create smooth, blendable colors. Whether you’re filling in large areas or shading around details, these crayons allow you to easily mix and transition between hues, giving your pottery a softer, more natural look. This makes them ideal for both abstract designs and intricate patterns.

2. Beginner-Friendly
   For those just starting out in ceramics, underglaze chalk crayons are incredibly easy to use. There’s no need for advanced techniques or special tools—just draw directly onto the bisque, blend with your fingers or a tool, and then apply a clear glaze before firing. The simplicity and flexibility make them perfect for beginners who want to explore their creativity without worrying about precision​Pottery Tips by The Pottery Wheel.

3. Safe for Kids
   Many underglaze chalk crayons, including our Chrysanthos Underglaze Chalk Crayons Set, are non-toxic and designed with safety in mind. This makes them a fantastic option for children who want to try their hand at pottery. Kids can enjoy the fun of drawing on ceramics, with the reassurance that the materials are safe to use​Ceramic Arts Daily Community.

4. Long-Lasting Results
   After firing, the colors created with underglaze chalk crayons stay vibrant and fixed under the glaze, ensuring your designs are durable. This means your artwork will maintain its look and color over time, providing lasting results that won’t fade or smudge​Pottery Tips by The Pottery Wheel.

    

Some Things to Keep in Mind

1. Smudging Before Glazing
   Since these crayons are soft, there’s a chance that your design might smudge before it’s glazed. It’s important to handle your pottery carefully once you’ve applied the crayons, and some artists even use a light fixative to help set the design before glazing​Glazy Ceramics Wiki. 

2. Less Precision
   While underglaze chalk crayons are fantastic for shading and large areas, they’re not as precise as other tools like underglaze pencils. If you’re aiming for sharp, crisp lines, you may want to combine crayons with other techniques for more control​Pottery Tips by The Pottery Wheel.

    

Perfect for All Skill Levels: Who Should Try Underglaze Chalk Crayons?

• Beginners: If you’re just getting started with pottery, underglaze chalk crayons offer an easy way to experiment with color and design. You can explore different blending techniques and build up your confidence without needing specialized tools or skills.
• Children: These crayons are great for kids because they’re easy to use, non-toxic, and provide instant, satisfying results. Your little artist can draw, blend, and color on their pottery, and the pieces will still look amazing after firing.
• Experienced Artists: Even if you’ve been working with ceramics for a while, underglaze chalk crayons offer a fun way to add depth and dimension to your work. Use them in combination with other underglazes or stamps to bring extra texture and character to your designs.

Introducing CÍ’s Chrysanthos Underglaze Chalk Crayons Set-6 Pieces, Kid-Friendly

At CÍ, we’re proud to offer the Chrysanthos Underglaze Chalk Crayons Set, a versatile, kid-friendly option for artists of all levels. Here’s why this set is a great addition to your pottery toolkit:

• Non-Toxic and Safe for Kids: These crayons are designed with safety in mind, making them ideal for family-friendly art projects.
• Smooth and Blendable: The soft, chalk-like texture makes shading and blending easy, giving your pottery a beautiful, soft finish.
• Versatile Use: Perfect for ceramics, but also great for other materials like fabric and card stock, allowing for more creative experimentation.
• Vibrant and Long-Lasting Colors: The crayons produce rich, bold colors that stay intact after firing, ensuring that your designs remain as striking as when you created them.

Underglaze chalk crayons are a simple and effective way to bring your ceramic art to life. Whether you’re just starting out, teaching kids the joys of pottery, or looking for new ways to add color and depth to your work, these crayons are a must-try. Explore the creative possibilities today with CÍ’s Chrysanthos Underglaze Chalk Crayons Set and see how easy it is to add a touch of color to your ceramics.

Reference 

1. Ceramic Arts Network. 2020. How to Make and Use Underglaze Pencils, Crayons, Pens, and Trailers. [online] Available at: https://ceramicartsnetwork.org [Accessed 17 October 2024].

2. Ceramic Arts Daily Community. 2022. Unglazed Underglaze Pencil Signature. [online] Available at: https://community.ceramicartsdaily.org [Accessed 17 October 2024].

3. Glazy Ceramics Wiki. Underglaze Pencils. [online] Available at: https://wiki.glazy.org [Accessed 17 October 2024].

4. Universe of Ceramics. Underglaze and On-glaze Decorative Techniques. [online] Available at: https://universeofceramics.com [Accessed 17 October 2024].

5. The Pottery Wheel. Underglaze Techniques - 16 Exciting Ways to Use Underglaze. [online] Available at: https://thepotterywheel.com [Accessed 17 October 2024].