We get to hear a lot of questions about how to shade and matt stained glass. And please keep them coming! Anyway, here’s one from our regular postbag …
From the monthly archives:
January 2009
The man’s voice was husky on the telephone:
“Williams & Byrne? The Williams & Byrne? I need your help! Now! Pronto!”
I opened my top drawer and reached deftly for my badger. During these days of extra-curricula financial mayhem, it doesn’t do to venture far without one.
We’ve tried tracing and matting paints from all over the world. But we always come back to Reusche. Their glass paints mix together to make the lump of glass paint that permits us to do the kind of glass painting we enjoy. (Other brands of paint collapse like slugs with salt on them or like beached jelly-fish roasting in the sun. Get the picture?)
Also, Reusche’s “tracing” paint works a dream for both tracing and shading.
We mix Tracing Black (DE401) with either Bistre Brown (DE402) or sometimes even Umber Brown (DE403). These paints mix beautifully together. We use about 3 parts black to 1 part brown.
Why do we add brown?
We believe it makes a gentler, softer “black”.
Also, after a few minutes on the palette, the black and brown begin to separate a little. This serves as a useful visual reminder to keep re-mixing the diluted puddle of paint with which we’re tracing or shading.
If you also use Reusche, then it’ll be easier for us to advise you in case you ever have any questions.
Note: while Reusche has a minimum order of 1/2 pound, their US suppliers can provide you with smaller quantities. In Europe, PELI offer you an excellent service. See here for stained glass paints.
