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Is it possible to paint unfired terracotta clay?

Ive been doing this art class at a university (a three weekend thing, tomorrows the last day) and I made a clay model out of terracotta clay. They arent going to be fired. They just dried naturally (which probably means theres thousands of cracks)
But I was wondering, is it possible to paint hem? Just with ordinary acrylic paint?
jack Sparrow will look awfully bland just terracotta coloured.
I dont want it all to implode if I try though, haha.
Thanks

I would advise you to try and get your sculpture fired once (called bisque fired)
It is preferable to get the clay body fired to its maturing temperature once.That in effect means around about 1020 c for most earthenwares / terracottas.
If your ART class cannot do this then try to find a local potter,they will usually allow you such space in their next firing.
The reason for firing any clay body is to harden the clay,you can over fire some clays to vitrify the body and glaze will not stick to it for a second glaze firing.

anyway you can paint your unfired work,but i would urge you to get it fired at least once before painting just so that it lasts
longer.

I have allowed people some space in my kiln , but prefer them to make their work under my supervision.That way i can see that the form will have more chance of surviving the firing without exploding.Air pockets and even water produced at certain temperatures in the kiln can force the work to explode.
Most potters know the firing processes and at which temperatures to increase the fire rate (ramping)
See if you can find a local potter either via your art classes or via a local art gallery.
Every potter / sculptor / artist i know is very approachable and only too pleased to help an interested person in developing their art.
I hope you find one before you apply any paint !
Keep the fiqure dry and safe.
If it is of reasonably thin or hollow construction it will fire fine.
If it is of solid or chunky construction it may require slow firing past the critical water forming chemical reactions at certain points in the process.
I am in se cornwall.Email if close by.I will fire jack for you.

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