Glass Painting Techniques

Glass painting is a fantastic artwork that you can take up as a hobby if you are really interested in painting and want to do something innovative rather than just painting in drawing books. Glass painting can be a rewarding hobby, if you can master the art and know the right techniques. Once you are comfortable with the glass paints and the brush, you can have your own stained glass window or decorative exhibits for your home. You may also present your glass painting artwork to your friends and family as well. If you have kids at home who are interested in painting, you can coax them to take up this hobby as well! Not only it will keep them occupied while you run some errands, but it will be a joyful experience for them too. Read through the sections that follow to learn about different glass painting techniques and how to master the art form.

Tips For Glass Painting

• If you have cut pieces of beveled glass from plates or bowls, you can use these pieces to paint motifs and create beautiful decorative items.
• If the glass is dirty, you can’t apply the colors evenly. So clean the glass at first with isopropyl alcohol to remove dirt and greases.
• If you are painting on a bottle or a round shaped object, ensure you have a support for the glasswork. Lint free cloth is ideal to provide support so that the painting is not ruined when still wet.
• If you are just a tyro, first learn to draw the design at the back of the sheet of the glass.
  Use a glass liner to outline the design you want to paint.
• Always choose a glass object for your craft that has a smooth and plain surface. Your painting won’t be prominent if you choose a glass object with rough or printed surface.
• If you are painting a large area, choose a broad brush. For painting smaller areas with intricate details, use narrow brushes. For painting a textured surface, use a sponge.
• If you wish to remove any unwanted lines, just use a thinner or a blade.
• Often sweats and natural oils from hands smudge the painting on the glass surface. To prevent your painting from getting ruined, wear latex gloves while painting.
• Make sure that the section you have just painted is dry before moving it.
• If you want to secure the paint, use a kiln to bake the artwork.
• To make your painting more durable, use only gum based colors.
• Use a badger brush to blend your paint. The brush can be expensive, but the investment is worth it.
• For intricate details you can also use the tip of a nail, the end of a knitting needle, or even a pin. Try with each one and see which tool suits you best.
• Before you start painting, ensure all the surfaces are protected with newspaper.
• Also, avoid wearing fluffy sweaters or dresses that may get into the surface of the pain.
• Use a torch to confirm that a surface is colored completely and no gap is left. Fill in the gaps while the pain is still wet.