Like all paints, glass paints can be water-based or oil-based. Painting glass is particularly interesting because glass is an excellent base: it is smooth, reflects light well, and provides the artist with many choices. If you want to learn the basics of glass painting, read this article below.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Preparation
Step 1. Test the glass paint for several different quality properties
When it comes to glass paint, you have to look at transparency, color variability, durability, ease of application.
- Transparency. How transparent is the paint you buy? Glass paints can be either transparent or opaque. Acrylic paints are usually opaque, while resin paints are usually transparent. Transparent paints can be either glossy or matte.
- Variability of colors. Look at a real paint color chart (how paint looks on real glass). Sometimes paint is significantly different in color on glass from the color indicated in a simple color chart.
- Persistence. Persistence and durability are especially important for items such as wine glasses that will be in use. Fired glass paints are generally more durable than those that do not require firing.
- Ease of application. How easy is it to overlay a color or pattern? Are stencils or templates included with the paint, or do you need to make them yourself?
Step 2. Select paint
When it comes to paint, choose from several options available. Glass paint for decorative purposes can be broken down into three basic categories:
- Acrylic enamel paint or enamel paint that can be used on glass or other shiny or smooth surfaces.
- Acrylic paints that become glass paints when a glass or ceramic carrier is added to them.
- Specialized solvent-based paints.
- Know that when it comes to paint, you get what you paid for. While cheap paint may be best for experimenting and playing around, if you are thinking of painting a demo object or something of value, lean towards using expensive paint. Cheap paint won't apply so well, look so great, and last so long.
Step 3. Get a brush
Be aware that no special brushes are required. You can use regular paint brushes (round, pointed, flat) with synthetic bristles or a mixture of synthetic bristles. Some people prefer the softness of natural hair brushes.
Using synthetic or natural brushes. Both synthetic and natural brushes can be used to paint glass, they have their own advantages. Synthetic brushes result in more obvious brush strokes, while natural brushes give the artist a smoother paint blend
Step 4. Clean the glass
Make sure the glass you intend to paint is thoroughly cleaned.
Step 5. Read and follow the directions for each paint
Some glass paints require a primer before painting and a top coat after. Drawing without following the instructions may result in a damaged item.
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Drawing
Step 1. Outline the design
To do this, use strips or paint squeezed out of tubes, depending on what you want to achieve. Use stencils or templates, or draw by hand.
Alternatively, you can use a permanent marker to draw outlines. When paint is applied over it and tempered, it usually becomes invisible, the outline and paint do not mix
Step 2. Use an eyedropper to apply paint to each design element
There are two ways to do this. You can add paint in drops as you move your hand over a specific area of the surface, or, if the amount of paint allows, and you find gaps between the drops, uniformly align the pattern by tracing the missing places with a toothpick back and forth. Also, this procedure will help release the formed air bubbles from the paint.
Step 3. Fill the design with paint on glass
The paths you have already drawn should prevent the paint from flowing outside the marked area.
Use sticky templates. Patterns overlaid on the other side of the glass provide a good visual reference for the paint application
Step 4. Use a sponge (optional)
The sponge will give an even, even coating. It is best used when you are going to cover the entire object with paint of one color.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Roasting
Step 1. Consider firing to set the paint in place
Fired paints last longer than unfired paints. If you don't want to overcome the difficulty of firing your stained glass, there are options that don't require firing.
Resin paints are washed off if not burnt. If you've got a lot of fancy when painting with resin paints, it's quite possible to start all over again. The paint will not set completely until the moment, until it is burned
Step 2. Follow the instructions on the firing package
Different paints have different firing requirements, so read the instructions before placing the glass in the oven.
Glass can be heated up to 150 ° C for 30 minutes for good paint firing. Let the glass cool before handling it
Advice
- Remember that most of the drawings on glass will be viewed from the wrong side of the glass, i.e. the back side of the one you painted. In this case, you do not need to worry about the paint falling on the contours, as this will not be visible from the side shown.
- Keep a white spirit or a corrective sponge handy to clean up any mistakes you make.
Warnings
- Be very aware that there are transparent and opaque varieties for all paint colors on glass, and therefore carefully check that you have paint with the correct effect and color when you purchase it. It's not cheap to be wrong.
- Stir slowly when thinning paint, never whisk, shake, or shake. The formation of air bubbles is a disaster and it is almost impossible to get rid of them once they have formed.
- It is recommended to give the paint the correct consistency for painting. Never thin the paint too much, but remember that using paint that is too thick results in a lumpy disaster.