Why?

Just been preparing for tomorrow’s visit from the Art Fund – ten of its committee members will join us in the studio.

So what’s the “Art Fund”?

Right – the Art Fund exists to buy important works of art for the nation.

And why are they visiting Williams & Byrne?

Well, they said it was a full-length glass painting demo they wanted.

But maybe that’s just a pretense … I mean, what if it’s David they’re really after?

Can you see it? David himself on display in Tate Modern. David – kidnapped for the nation by the Art Fund.

It’s got a lot of conceptual mileage to it: “The Glass Painter Keeps a Steady Hand while the Financial Markets Crash”

All right, art may indeed be “whatever you can get away with” (Marshall McLuhan).

But the Art Fund won’t get away with my buddy.

No way am I leading, soldering and cementing the tycoon’s 16 skylights on my own.

Everything is clear now. What a fool I’ve been. For several weeks now, David has been as cheerful as a giraffe in a kimono, and I couldn’t work out why. Yes, work is going well. But, all the same, we’re English, which means – well, bowler hats, cricket bats and lots of milk with your tea. However, just this morning he thumped the latest glossy copy of Period Homes & Interiors on my unsuspecting writing desk (yes, and spilled my milky tea …). Oh well, few of us can resist dancing in the spotlight of media attention. And David likes to dance. Oh yes, see here. (It’s the second page he got all frisky about, bottom-right. Above it, you even see the Master’s hand, working on the Dinder Crest.)

Being English, one is – well, how shall I put it? – slightly reserved. A particular consequence of which is, it wouldn’t normally occur to me to use a place like this to mention personal matters, so to speak. After all, you’re here for hard-nosed information, right? That’s what you like about us, right? – We tell you about stained glass painting as it’s really done. All the same, someone rang this morning who wants to spend time with us in the studio, learning the fundamentals of stained glass painting. I said:

“Right, you get our newsletters, you’ve seen the blog. You know what we’re like – technique, technique, technique … none of this fancy ‘self-expression’ business.”

And then I thought:

“Is that enough? Are we maybe just a bit too Brittish? A bit too reticent?”

So to make amends let me tell you I cycled to the studio a full 30 minutes late this morning. Shocking, eh? And being late, I hit the Stanton Lacy rush hour. And I want to show you how awful and congested the Stanton Lacy rush hour is:

Rush hour at Stanton Lacy - what's it like where you are?

OK so that’s the first personal detail I want to share with you: the hectic, furious pace of life outside our studio. Onward to the second point: why was I late? And now it gets really personal. Are you ready? The reason is, my wife Charlotte took me out for a meal because I “hit” 52 yesterday – ouch! Anyway, we cycled to a marvellous pub which is perched on top of Mocktree Hill – the hill which looks down on the tiny village (originally a Roman settlement) where we live. Had a gorgeous (but simple) meal. Then cycled down. Which is where the title to this post comes in.

What else don’t I know?

See, merry though she was – or should that be: because she was merry? – my wife astonished me by displaying her possession of a skill I didn’t know she had …

My wife loves hands-free, free-wheeling ... and I never knew it!

… going full-speed and hands-free on her bike down Mocktree Hill. Anyway, I’m not sure – was it last night’s dinner made me late this morning. Or maybe a restless night spent wondering, “What else is there I do not know?” And now to do some painting. All the best, P.S. On Friday normal services will resume with a really useful post on stained glass design. Specifically – showing your clients (whoever they are) what you must show them for them see you understand. Which is kind of important when you think about it … Do make sure you read it. It’s already written and scheduled to go live on Friday morning.

There are so many brilliant comments here. So just this once I’ll extend the viewing deadline until sun down today. After that, the 30-minute clip will disappear forever.

It’s all about tracing and how to get ready.

People who’ve seen it say it’s really useful.

So here’s the last chance for anyone who’s missed it:

The Heraldic Arms of Hampton Hall – Part 1 – Preparations, and Tracing.

I know how Stephen promised you a sneak preview of our new technique-packed glass painting film, The Heraldic Arms of Hampton Hall.

Now he’s a little … (how shall I put this tactfully?) behind with his painted columns.

And so it’s my happy job to announce, “Here – it – is!”

The Heraldic Arms of Hampton Hall – Trailer

Turn on your speakers and adjust the volume, sit back – and enjoy this dramatic overview.

And if the area below is an enormous blank … then you need the latest version of Adobe Flash (click here – it’s worth it).

To watch the full-screen version, click the full-screen button on the far-right of the video box.

Best,

Goodness me! Surely only the criminally eager amongst you are seeking instruction today on New Year’s Day!

So – dear readers – until Monday at least, just make sure you’ve checked out all the “Top Posts” (links in next column).

And cheer yourself with the thought of how on Monday, January 3rd 2011, you have a free close-up video demo coming your way.

Free video demonstration - Monday January 3rd

How to paint this leaping fish.

Plus the design.

Monday. January 3rd 2011.

For now, Happy New Year from both of us.

We wish you every success and happiness in 2011.

And see you here on Monday!

So sober up by then and remember how RealGlassPainting.com is far better than anything the TV or radio can throw at you.

Do “bookmark” this site so you can always easily find it.

You get a useful tip or technique every week of the year, so start now, and just think how much more you’ll know in 12 months’ time!

Best,

This year

We hope your year went well.

For us, it’s been a rollercoaster ride – what with the Fibonacci window and an interview with the Financial Times: then … the Hereford window and an interview with the Independent: plus the Diamond Lights of Hampton Hall.

Example designs for Hampton Hall - free with DVD

Heraldic crest of Hampton Hall

And just in the last fortnight there was the follow-on project: the heraldic crest of Hampton Hall.

Important: everyone who orders our new DVD by January 31st can get a FREE full-length DVD of this heraldry project when it’s released in February.

There was also the exciting case of the tycoon who, after two years’ silence, saw the good sense of employing us rather than any of the other studios who offered cheaper work.

Very comforting that was, because we will certainly give him best and most-lasting value for his hard-earned money.

In these tough times, there’s a moral here for everyone who will listen:

The fiercest, most time-consuming and most cut-throat battles are waged low down on the slopes, not higher up.

So don’t compromise or abandon your high standards – it’s never worth it.

2011 - draft design for the tycoon's stained glass skylights - 1 of 16

Just at the end of November, the tycoon approved all 16 designs, and also asked for two more windows elsewhere in his mansion.

The best materials

Also in 2010, a non-commisioned (that’s important) joint-venture with PELI Glass Products so that glass painters anywhere can get paints, silver stains and brushes which really work.

And how can you be sure of that?

Because these are the very same paints, stains and brushes we use every day.

So, when you chose these tools and materials, you also know you’re just an e-mail away from useful guidance when you need it.

Next year

Looking forward into 2011, the tycoon’s windows will take up the best part of next year.

There’ll be lots of great information for you, because our task is to create a vast set of ancient-looking stained glass windows.

And naturally we’ll film and document this all, so you can see exactly how it’s done. (January is the month when we make the prototypes.)

It’s a great happiness to us that we live in an age when it’s possible to work hard and also share ideas and discussions with you and other like-minded stained glass painters across the globe.

Even 10 years ago, this wasn’t possible.

Thus technology helps this ancient craft!

Happy Christmas and our best wishes to you for a wonderful New Year

Happy New Year

Between today and early New Year, we’ll be spending time with our families, catching up with our reading, making sketches, jotting down notes and generally allowing new ideas to take shape.

So goodbye and best wishes for now.

Thank you for your enthusiasm.

You’re all really, really strange people – because no one “normal” would do something as crazy as stained glass painting in the present day and age.

Well done!

We wish you every happiness and every success.

P.S. Snow, ice, closed roads and closed airports mean that some DVD deliveries are slower than normal.

I wish this were within our control but it isn’t.

Rest assured, if anyone’s DVD doesn’t arrive by January 7th, just let us know, and we’ll immediately pack and send you a replacement. Please write to us whenever you have any questions.

With snow still falling so fast that we must soon make a swift getaway to our respective families, we’re just drafting the last post of 2010.

Out tomorrow on Christmas Eve -

… if Stephen gets home to finish writing it tonight!

Stephen's home village of Leintwardine this morning before the blizzard came!

It’s all hands to the deck because the first batch of Premium Edition DVDs are being shipped out today:

• Real-life DVD documentary (71 minutes)
• In-depth portrayal of tracing, highlighting and silver staining
• 3 bonus online videos (50 minutes)
• 35 designs (PDF on disk itself)
• 5 bonus downloads

You don’t even have to wait for the disk to arrive – everything is available for immediate online viewing and download.

And of course an exclusive Q&A forum for you to ask questions and get your answers.

Mouse here now for the Premium Edition DVD.

When David and I first established Williams & Byrne, we made a solemn promise to one another …

Once a month, we would tidy up the studios and – to make sure we kept a due sense of proportion about our work – we would settle down and watch an episode of Doctor Who. Just to chill out.

Doctor Who is a cult science fiction show that’s been going since the 60s.

David and I grew up on it. It was real “hide-behind-the-sofa” and “peep-through-your-eyes” material.

Needless to say, this never happened. We never got to take “time out”.

The quantity of work has not permitted this indulgence.

It is, I suspect, the only undertaking we have ever broken in our business.

Yesterday

But, had you been here with us yesterday, you would have witnessed a unprecedented scene.

For the first time in the history of Williams & Byrne, David and I pulled up our chairs, sat down and … watched a DVD.

The Diamond Lights of Hampton Hall: English: colour: all regions: wide-screen: 71 minutes

It concerns the making of these stained glass windows you see here:

The Diamond Lights of Hampton Hall

Yes, we had a great time yesterday. This DVD is the culmination of a several months of filming here at the studio whilst the windows – two pairs like the ones you see above – were painted and silver stained.

198 diamond quarries, each one traced and stained with a lovely image.

We installed the windows just three weeks ago, and they look magnificent in their stately home.

And as always the question is, What’s in it for you?

How to trace and stain these diamond quarries

Well, like it says on the label, “97 tips in 71 minutes”.

All about tracing, highlighting and silver staining: the essential practices.

Unless you’ve spent considerable time in a painting studio, you won’t ever have seen such close-up detail on how stained glass is really traced and stained.

A true-life case study showing you what actually happened here in the Williams & Byrne studio.

Important:

Early comers will also get a load of valuable bonuses with their own personal copy of this technique-packed DVD.

More details soon.

DVD Release Date: 9 a.m. Monday December 6th 2010

And David is preparing himself to be mobbed on our next trip down to London to see our Soho tycoon …

From the DVD’s back cover …

Here’s an excerpt so you know what to expect:

“The glass painters, Williams & Byrne, have been summoned to Hampton Hall in the ancient English county of Hamptonshire and charged with designing and making two pairs of diamond stained glass lights.

Not only must the finished windows be lovely to behold, they must also distract the onlooker’s eye from the unsightly view of the village beyond.

Here in this fast-paced documentary you will discover the glass painting and silver staining techniques that the bohemian duo employed to thrill their clients and complete their mission”

Yes indeed this is important:

97 tips in 71 minutes.

Released: Monday 6th December 2010. Will be available on Amazon.com. But get it here from us and also get the bonuses.

P.S. Aficionados will note there is a strong resemblance between David Williams of Williams & Byrne and William Hartnell a.k.a. the very first actor who played Doctor Who … Spooky, eh? See here at about 1 minute 10 when David Williams William Hartnell (Doctor Who) first appears …

See what I mean about “hide-behind-the-sofa” and “peep-through-your-eyes”?

Released Monday 6th December 2010

Rest assured, our forthcoming DVD is 98% less frightening and 1,331 times more informative.