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Published May 26, 2025

How to Add Depth and Detail to Your Pots with Water Etching
Looking for a way to add subtle texture and layered visual interest to your pots without carving or stamping? Water etching might be just the ticket! In this technique, you can create soft relief by painting a design with a water-resistant material and eroding the surface around it with a sponge. Mod Podge® is Annie Beggs water-resistant material of choice because of its affordability, ease of use, and low odor.

In this post, an excerpt from the May 2025 issue of Ceramics Monthly, Annie walks us through her process step by step, from sketching the design, to applying the resist, to carefully etching away the clay. –Jennifer Poellot Harnetty, editor

PS. Browse the May 2025 issue of Ceramics Monthly for more exciting articles. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today!


Water etching is a greenware surface treatment used to create relief. A water-resistant material is applied to greenware and allowed to dry. Then a damp sponge is used to gently erode the clay. The areas where the resist was applied appear raised, while areas without it recede, and the resist burns away during the bisque firing. Although shellac, wax resist, and other water-resistant materials can be used for water etching, my choice is Mod Podge® as it is an accessible, odorless, easy-to-use, and affordable modified PVA glue and sealer. 

1 Prepare a bucket of water, small container, sponge, Mod Podge®, paintbrush, and bone-dry greenware.

Use a dull, soft pencil to sketch your design onto bone-dry greenware. Porcelain and other groggless clays produce smooth, clean lines. If you use textured clay, expect textured results. Add Mod Podge® to a container and dilute it with a small amount of water (1), which allows for even application. Next, apply the mixture to areas of your piece that you want to raise above the background (2). Allow the mixture to dry sufficiently. Then, use a damp sponge to wipe away the surface of your clay in gentle, sweeping motions (3), making sure to rinse your sponge frequently. Once you begin to see your design develop, let the clay dry out before continuing (4). Avoid oversaturating the clay with water, which can cause cracking at this stage. Repeat the wiping and drying process until your desired image definition is achieved. 

2 Apply an even coat of diluted Mod Podge® with a brush. 3 Use a damp sponge to gently wipe the surface of your clay.

4 Etched design on greenware cup.

After firing, choose a translucent glaze to showcase subtle texture. Take this technique to the next level by incorporating underglaze before applying Mod Podge® and creating multi-depth relief.

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Unfamiliar with any terms in this article? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!