What paint for tile hearth?

Painting on tile? Ceramic studio - Paint, glaze and fire or buy at Lowe's and "paint and go"?

• I am helping teacher make kids painted art tiles for peices for the school's annual auction. I have looked into using tiles from a ceramic studio, 4x4 size, glazed and fired they'll cost about $2.25 each. OR we can just buy cheapo 4x4 tiles at Lowe's and paint those with special paint that you can just paint and then they're done. That's the cheaper route, but I'm worried it won't look as nice. Weathering is not a factor as the tiles will be used for a frame around a mirror and picture. Anyone with any experience with both that can comment?

• Answer:

  4by4s at that price are outrageous for each one,you should be able to pick up white glazed tiles a lot cheaper by the box. If you have access to a kiln,you can buy "onglaze" in differing colours and apply them with a mix of "gum arabic" to help the glazes adhere to the glazed surface and then refire the tiles and the onglaze then "sets" in the clear glaze surface. You can buy "raw" clay tiles(prefired but unglazed) and paint with underglaze colours (these will not be true colours until fired/ie blue may be a pink when applied and blue when fired) You will either need to fire the tiles to fix the underglaze and then coat in clear glaze after and refire or if careful you can spray the underglazed tile with the clear glaze and once dried,fire them in one. You will need a tile holder (a rack)or have to lay each tile flat on the kiln shelves. If in any doubt find a school or college with a pottery tutor and ask for their advise and use of their kiln. the finish and satisfaction will be much greater if they are fired than if just painted . there are enamel options too and they are low fire fire options. bear in mind that some glazes are toxic before and some after firing and some are not "foodsafe". Most underglazes are fairly safe.But all are generally some sort of silica or ground glass paste and can be harmful if swallowed . Children and some adults need supervision with glazes and application. Commonsense and a unhurried approach is recommended. Maybe you should way up the time and expense for a first time trial and use the cheaper faster option and see who would like to go further and then arrange a day in a pottery with a tutor. i am in Cornwall England,but would have been willing to allow you use of my kiln and equipment as long as not out of pocket,maybe you should advertise for another like me,in your locality. good luck and enjoy the process whichever you choose. kind regards Simon .H