Trying your hand at glass painting for the first time? It may sound complicated but it is not. Painting becomes even more fun if you have some outstanding glass paints and enamels.
In this blog, we will unravel some of the most useful tips and tricks for you to ace glass painting.
Paint the Glass Like a Pro!
Read these tips to create a beautiful glass art;
- Clean Glass – Always use a clean glass surface for painting. The glass should not have any cracks or chips. Avoid using recycled glass for painting. The paint will only stick to the surface if it is free from dust and oil.
Wash the glass with warm soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Wipe it off with a lint-free cloth. Avoid touching it on the areas that are to be painted. - Tracing Method – You can use stencils to create a pattern on the glass. Use a stencil for tracing design on glasses, vases, and jugs.
Another way is to paste the pattern on the inner side of the glass and then trace it from the outside. You can use this for glass frames, windows, and doors. Keep in mind to tape off the stencil before the paint dries. - More Coats – Painting more than one coat is always a good idea. Especially, for lighter colours, apply more coats to get an opaque design. Apply the second coat only when the first coat is fully dried.
- Be Careful – While painting glass crockery, do not paint the areas that will come in contact with food, your mouth, or your hands. Paint a little lower than the glass edges or areas where it is not in direct contact with your mouth or hands. For glass plates, paint on the backside.
- Light Pressure – Use very light pressure on the brush while painting. Putting too much pressure on the brush tip will wipe off the paint. Use gentle strokes to deliver the paint properly on the surface.
- Direction – Use uni-directional strokes while painting on the glass. This gives your design a clean and smooth finish without the appearance of paint strokes.
- Curing Tips – Do not wash your glassware before curing it. Either air dry it or bake it to make the paint permanent. Avoid preheating the oven as it will cause cracks in the glass.
Every glass paint has specific curing instructions. Follow those instructions for curing. Use nitrile gloves to handle the glass before placing it in the oven to avoid fingerprints. Once the curing is complete, leave the glass in the oven to cool down. - Supplies and Tools – Using the right brushes that do not leave bristle marks is important for clean art. Brushes with natural bristles are recommended over those with synthetic bristles.
Which Glass Paint to Buy
Basic water paints do not stay on the glass surface. So, there are different glass paints that work on them.
Acrylic Enamel Paint
This paint sticks to non-porous surfaces like ceramic tiles, granite, and glass. It is a blend of acrylic and oil-based paint. This particular element makes it the best choice for glass painting projects.
Acrylic Glass Paint
This paint is specially curated with chemical ingredients to stick onto glass surfaces. While purchasing, check for a wine glass icon on the bottle cap or label.
Solvent-Based Paint
These paints are used for outdoor projects such as glass windows or doors. Solvent-based paints emit toxic gases. So, ensure you wear your protective gear while working with these.
Markers
Glass painting markers come in two forms; water-based and oil-based. Use oil-based markers for outdoor projects as they are more durable. These pens work great for artists who are not very adept with paintbrushes.
Outliner
This paint comes in different tubes and bottles. It has thicker consistency and helps in creating a 3D effect. These come in highlighting colours to give a stained glass look, such as silver, black, gold, copper, and bronze.
Create Beautiful Paintings!
These tips will help you master your glass painting project, even if it is your first time. Create a beautiful DIY decor for your home or an impressive project for school. There are a lot of creative glass painting ideas for you out there.
Any great artwork depends on the great material and efforts put into that. Our tips and tricks will improve your efforts, and our glass paints will ensure great material. Create a masterpiece!