Glass Painting Tips

Glass painting is a remarkable form of art, comprising gorgeous synthetic colors done up on glass. The combination of glass and paints gives the painting an ethereal appeal. Glass painting is very interesting to do. Glass painting kits contain an outliner, which is meant to keep the different shades of glass paints in place. One can either unleash one's creativity and paint freehand, or else use templates.

Four main types of paints are available for glass painting: stained glass paint, vinegar trace paint, matte paint and silver paint. Each type is meant for a specific purpose. For example, if one wishes to include a variety of colors on the piece of glass, then the stained glass paint is suitable. Vinegar glass paints are appropriate when one wants to add a tint of color.

However, these vinegar paints are quite sticky! For painting a clear glass vase or bowls, one can use silver paint, as it adds a hint of silver, thereby giving a translucent effect to the painting. Matte paint, on the other hand is useful when one wants complete coverage without translucent aspects.

Glass painting is quite easy to learn, and can be done without many hassles. Keeping a few tips in mind, before the commencement of the glass painting project will prove beneficial.

• The piece of glass chosen for glass painting should have a smooth, plain and clear surface. Printed glass and designed surfaces should not be used, as the painting will not be prominent then. Since natural oils from the hands tend to smudge the glass surface, it is advisable to put on surgical or latex gloves while handling the glass piece.

• The glass surface should be cleaned thoroughly, to free it from dust and dirt. The glass paint will fail to stick on a dusty surface. One should make use of warm water and soap to clean the surface of the glass. The glass surface should be thoroughly dried using a paper towel or clean piece of cloth.

• People not confident about freehand painting can trace the design on a sheet of drawing paper and then tape it to the inside of the glass piece. Make sure the piece of paper chosen is the same size as the glass piece. 

• This is one of the easiest glass painting techniques, as once the picture has been taped, all one requires to do is paint, using the traced paper below as a reference. People using freehand style should place a white cloth or paper below the glass, for clarity while painting.

• Trace out the design using the black liner provided in the kit. This step must be done carefully, as it is this black outline that defines the final glass painting. Make sure the lining is smooth, with least number of breaks and bumps. One can carry out this step slowly, taking as much time as one requires.

• Be careful not to smudge the previously drawn outline while outlining another portion of the painting. Allow the outline to dry completely. Beginners may find some extra lines formed while outlining. Such extra lines can be removed with the help of a blade or outline thinner.

• Once the outline has dried completely, the painting is ready to be adorned with vibrant glass paints. Depending on the design of the painting, the paints are to be chosen. Glass paints come in bottles with a user-friendly nozzle, which allows one to apply the paint directly onto the glass. 

• However, if the glass paint is available in wide-mouth bottles, then the paint can be applied using a regular watercolor brush (a thin one). Stir the bottles well before use, and never mix them with water, as water thins the paint.

• Narrow down the painting in smaller zones, and concentrate on one zone at a time. This way, the painting will not appear so intimidating. Always remember to allow the paints in one zone to dry completely before doing the adjacent ones. This is because there is the possibility of paints from one zone seeping into the other through the outline, and then merging. This will ruin the entire painting.

• While applying the paints, one should ensure that the glass piece is kept intact. Moving the glass can cause the paint to run all across the painting, thereby ruining it. The glass piece should not be disturbed until the glass paint dries completely. Keep siblings and pets away! Once the paint has dried, the painting is ready to be framed and hung on the wall.

All one requires for this art is the interest to paint, some creativity, and lots of patience. One can look online for designs for glass painting, whereby one can try out different kinds of paintings. Once the skills of glass painting have been mastered, one can even try one's hand at stained glass. Glass paintings make great gifts, and since they are homemade, they are appreciated even more.