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This faux stained glass
project is something anyone can create, using the techniques explained and the
supplies listed. There are stained glass patterns available for sale in many
craft shops. By following the directions your very first project will be one
you can display with pride!
The paints used for this
project are Gallery Glass Window Color, a paint developed specifically for use
on glass surfaces to create faux stained glass. You’ll need the following
colors for this project:
You’ll need the
following:
The
paints and tools can be found in large art supply stores.
Leading
the Faux Glass Paint Project Design
The first step is to
paint the 'lead lines' of the design onto the surface using the bottle of
Liquid Lead. Print out the design and tape it together with clear tape if
necessary to print it in the size you desire for the final project. Place your design under the surface, and
you'll clearly see where the Liquid Lead must be painted.
If it’s a new bottle of Liquid Lead, remove
the tip from the bottle, take out the paper seal, and replace the tip. Holding
the bottle upside down, tap it firmly on the table top or other hard surface to
get the lead to flow into the tip of the bottle. If you find the tip isn’t
producing a thin enough line, make a tape tip for it.
First, cut off the tip of
spout about 1/8” from the tip top. Cut 3” strip of 3/4” wide transparent tape,
stick one edge of the tape straight up along the center of the tip, then rotate
the bottle, pressing the tape to the bottle spout as you go. (Secure the first
turn of the tape all the way to the end of the tip for a leak proof seal.) As
you turn the bottle, the tape will form a cone. The tape will reverse direction
as the tip is formed; just continue to rotate the bottle and allow the tape to
wind back down the bottle tip. When you’re done, trim the tape tip with
scissors about 1/16” at a time until you get the desired flow and size of
leading.
Periodically holding the bottle upside down
and tapping it on the table while you’re working with it helps to reduce the
air trapped inside and keep the lead from ‘spitting’ out the bottle. The key to
painting successfully with Liquid Lead is to keep the bottle tip away from the
surface while you gently squeeze out the paint, not scrape the tip along the
surface. Hold the bottle close to the bottom (flat end) of the bottle. Squeeze
to start the flow of Liquid Lead, lightly touch the surface with the Liquid
Lead at the start of a line of the printed design, then lift the bottle tip up
at least half an inch off the surface and, while lightly applying pressure to
the bottle, move your arm along each line of the design. Do not rest your arm
or hand on the table as it will hinder the free movement needed to paint the
Liquid Lead.
Be
careful not to leave blobs of Liquid Lead where the lines intersect. As you
approach another line or intersecting line on the design, leap over it and
continue. Stopping and starting at each intersecting line tends to create a
blob of Liquid Lead. As you come to the end of a line, stop squeezing the
bottle to stop the flow of lead.
Use a piece paper towel
to wipe the tip of the bottle after each completed line or section; this will
help eliminate lead from drying at the tip. Allow the finished piece to dry for
eight to 12 hours. You may find it takes a little practice to get uniform
lines, but don't worry as after the Liquid Lead has dried you can cut away any
unwanted blobs or uneven lead lines using a craft knife.
Now that you’ve finished
the leading and it’s dried completely, you’re going to fill in each section
with the color or colors of choice. The
bottles of paint don't have a paper seal like Liquid Lead, they're ready to use
straight away. Holding the bottle upside down, tap it firmly on the table top
or other hard surface to get the paint to flow into the tip of the bottle. Now
you’re ready to paint with that color. Don’t use too much paint -- you want to
avoid having paint flow over the leading into another section. It’s far easier
to add more paint than to remove excess paint
(Where more than one color is used, these are to be blended.)
Work
from the center of the project out to help keep your hands and fingers out of
wet paint. Turn the project as needed to work on each section. Start by running
the tip of the bottle along the edge of the leading; this helps eliminate any
‘light holes’ without paint. Fill in each section with the color listed on the
design. Unlike with Liquid Lead, the tip of a paint bottle should touch
the surface as you use it. Finish painting one section before moving onto the
next. Work systematically, adding all colors desired in a section before moving
onto the next one. Start
with the color adjacent
to the 'lead' edge, and work inwards. Use a cotton swab to clean up or remove
unwanted paint from the surface if necessary. Get into the habit of wiping the
tips of the paint bottles with a piece of paper towel regularly. This helps
prevent unwanted drips, or contamination of the color.
Combing
the paint on the surface with the combing tool (or toothpicks) is done to
remove air bubbles in the paint, and to blend colors together. Combing helps
eliminate air bubbles in the paint, and blend colors. Use the pointed end of
the combing tool (you can also use toothpicks) to ‘move’ the paint to blend it,
first north and south, then east and west, and lastly again in the direction of
the brush stroke effect you would want the finished piece to have. (The final
direction of the paint does influence the end result.) If you wish to create a textured look swirl
your paint to create peaks and valleys in the paint itself. As you paint, comb,
and blend a section, regularly tap the underside of the surface directly under
the section you are working on to help reduce air bubbles in the paint. (The
handle of a combing tool works well for this.) You may find it easier to work
over a light table so you can readily see the bubbles. You should always tap sections as you paint, whether you’re
blending colors or not. Do not comb and areas you are creating a textured look
in. When you’ve completed all the other painted areas, paint background.
Fill the background completely with paint; don’t leave any unpainted areas.
Apply as little paint as possible while still covering the surface completely.
Remember, all areas should be painted before you tackle the background.
Leave
the project to dry for eight to 12 hours, or until all painted areas are
transparent and clear of milky shadows. Be careful where you put the project
while it dries, as you don’t want anything to touch the surface or dust to blow
onto it. Do not allow paper, fabric or other such materials to touch or cover
the painted surface before it is totally dry as it’ll mess up the paint. The final step is to add the decorative
chain and hang the project up in a sunny window (using a small suction cup),
and to enjoy the beautiful color. If you need to clean it, use a soft cloth
dampened with water only. Do not use window cleaner, which will damage the
paint
project is something anyone can create, using the techniques explained and the
supplies listed. There are stained glass patterns available for sale in many
craft shops. By following the directions your very first project will be one
you can display with pride!
The paints used for this
project are Gallery Glass Window Color, a paint developed specifically for use
on glass surfaces to create faux stained glass. You’ll need the following
colors for this project:
You’ll need the
following:
- Window
color in all the shades and colors you decide to use for your project - A
clear surface (I recommend using plexi-glass or acrylic for a permanent
faux stained glass project) - A
bottle of Liquid Lead - Toothpicks
- A
printout of your design in the actual size you wish to make it - Clear
tape - Paper
towels - Cotton
swabs - A
decorative chain framing and hanging chain
The
paints and tools can be found in large art supply stores.
Leading
the Faux Glass Paint Project Design
The first step is to
paint the 'lead lines' of the design onto the surface using the bottle of
Liquid Lead. Print out the design and tape it together with clear tape if
necessary to print it in the size you desire for the final project. Place your design under the surface, and
you'll clearly see where the Liquid Lead must be painted.
If it’s a new bottle of Liquid Lead, remove
the tip from the bottle, take out the paper seal, and replace the tip. Holding
the bottle upside down, tap it firmly on the table top or other hard surface to
get the lead to flow into the tip of the bottle. If you find the tip isn’t
producing a thin enough line, make a tape tip for it.
First, cut off the tip of
spout about 1/8” from the tip top. Cut 3” strip of 3/4” wide transparent tape,
stick one edge of the tape straight up along the center of the tip, then rotate
the bottle, pressing the tape to the bottle spout as you go. (Secure the first
turn of the tape all the way to the end of the tip for a leak proof seal.) As
you turn the bottle, the tape will form a cone. The tape will reverse direction
as the tip is formed; just continue to rotate the bottle and allow the tape to
wind back down the bottle tip. When you’re done, trim the tape tip with
scissors about 1/16” at a time until you get the desired flow and size of
leading.
Periodically holding the bottle upside down
and tapping it on the table while you’re working with it helps to reduce the
air trapped inside and keep the lead from ‘spitting’ out the bottle. The key to
painting successfully with Liquid Lead is to keep the bottle tip away from the
surface while you gently squeeze out the paint, not scrape the tip along the
surface. Hold the bottle close to the bottom (flat end) of the bottle. Squeeze
to start the flow of Liquid Lead, lightly touch the surface with the Liquid
Lead at the start of a line of the printed design, then lift the bottle tip up
at least half an inch off the surface and, while lightly applying pressure to
the bottle, move your arm along each line of the design. Do not rest your arm
or hand on the table as it will hinder the free movement needed to paint the
Liquid Lead.
Be
careful not to leave blobs of Liquid Lead where the lines intersect. As you
approach another line or intersecting line on the design, leap over it and
continue. Stopping and starting at each intersecting line tends to create a
blob of Liquid Lead. As you come to the end of a line, stop squeezing the
bottle to stop the flow of lead.
Use a piece paper towel
to wipe the tip of the bottle after each completed line or section; this will
help eliminate lead from drying at the tip. Allow the finished piece to dry for
eight to 12 hours. You may find it takes a little practice to get uniform
lines, but don't worry as after the Liquid Lead has dried you can cut away any
unwanted blobs or uneven lead lines using a craft knife.
Now that you’ve finished
the leading and it’s dried completely, you’re going to fill in each section
with the color or colors of choice. The
bottles of paint don't have a paper seal like Liquid Lead, they're ready to use
straight away. Holding the bottle upside down, tap it firmly on the table top
or other hard surface to get the paint to flow into the tip of the bottle. Now
you’re ready to paint with that color. Don’t use too much paint -- you want to
avoid having paint flow over the leading into another section. It’s far easier
to add more paint than to remove excess paint
(Where more than one color is used, these are to be blended.)
Work
from the center of the project out to help keep your hands and fingers out of
wet paint. Turn the project as needed to work on each section. Start by running
the tip of the bottle along the edge of the leading; this helps eliminate any
‘light holes’ without paint. Fill in each section with the color listed on the
design. Unlike with Liquid Lead, the tip of a paint bottle should touch
the surface as you use it. Finish painting one section before moving onto the
next. Work systematically, adding all colors desired in a section before moving
onto the next one. Start
with the color adjacent
to the 'lead' edge, and work inwards. Use a cotton swab to clean up or remove
unwanted paint from the surface if necessary. Get into the habit of wiping the
tips of the paint bottles with a piece of paper towel regularly. This helps
prevent unwanted drips, or contamination of the color.
Combing
the paint on the surface with the combing tool (or toothpicks) is done to
remove air bubbles in the paint, and to blend colors together. Combing helps
eliminate air bubbles in the paint, and blend colors. Use the pointed end of
the combing tool (you can also use toothpicks) to ‘move’ the paint to blend it,
first north and south, then east and west, and lastly again in the direction of
the brush stroke effect you would want the finished piece to have. (The final
direction of the paint does influence the end result.) If you wish to create a textured look swirl
your paint to create peaks and valleys in the paint itself. As you paint, comb,
and blend a section, regularly tap the underside of the surface directly under
the section you are working on to help reduce air bubbles in the paint. (The
handle of a combing tool works well for this.) You may find it easier to work
over a light table so you can readily see the bubbles. You should always tap sections as you paint, whether you’re
blending colors or not. Do not comb and areas you are creating a textured look
in. When you’ve completed all the other painted areas, paint background.
Fill the background completely with paint; don’t leave any unpainted areas.
Apply as little paint as possible while still covering the surface completely.
Remember, all areas should be painted before you tackle the background.
Leave
the project to dry for eight to 12 hours, or until all painted areas are
transparent and clear of milky shadows. Be careful where you put the project
while it dries, as you don’t want anything to touch the surface or dust to blow
onto it. Do not allow paper, fabric or other such materials to touch or cover
the painted surface before it is totally dry as it’ll mess up the paint. The final step is to add the decorative
chain and hang the project up in a sunny window (using a small suction cup),
and to enjoy the beautiful color. If you need to clean it, use a soft cloth
dampened with water only. Do not use window cleaner, which will damage the
paint