All set now to paint the fierce lion tomorrow: tracing (outlining), then flooding. And once the flooding is dry, I’ll pick out his highlights using “the chalk method” – just like you do with stained glass lettering.
From the category archives:
Stained glass painting techniques
Let me tell you that the key points are: have a plan (don’t usually invent things as you go along), hold your glass firmly with one hand, work from the bridge with the other, choose your highlighting tool with care (make your own as needed), be confident (not scratchy, unless scratchy is what you really want), consider stencils (especially if you have a repeating pattern), remember how the back of the glass is also good for stained glass highlights, and use your hands as needed (just be sure they’re clean).
Right, now I’ve said my piece, will you also have a look?
The design can “make” you rush
A big problem you’ve maybe met is how, with the design in front of you, you want to rush and hurry and get it finished.
And yet …
Right! In his last post, Stephen challenged you to do it with one hand tied behind your back.
Undercoating, I mean.
And several people wrote how maybe they were heavy-handed, because no matter how they tried, their glass always spun away across the light-box.
So I reckon the best thing now is to show you what we mean.
Sounds good to you?
Great! So you know what to do now, don’t you – read on!
Here’s an important tip for when you paint an undercoat or “wash” or “matt” (or however you call it) …
In my last post I gave you 9 tips for keeping a steady hand when tracing, or – “How to stop the wobbles“.
The last tip was, not too much wine. (Well, actually, none at all is best. At least before.)
Which reminds me how David’s been teetotal for 30 years.
Not a single drop.
Thankfully, that’s not the secret of his amazing skill, though as I say, you’ll definitely paint better when you’re “dry”.
No, other things also count – like your painting bridge and how you treat it …
Many people ask how to keep a steady hand when tracing. They say their hands sometimes wobble and shake. Well, there are various things to remember here. I’ll tell you about the most important ones.
All 9 of them.
Oh – plus a free bonus, number 10.
Stained glass rose window - the techniques we used
No, I haven’t forgotten how, a while ago, I promised you the low-down on the techniques we used to silver stain this gorgeous window on the left.
OK, maybe it’s more than a while, but good things come to those who wait …
The client’s brief was, his window had to have the ‘”Wow!” effect’.
And the ‘”Wow!” effect’ was what our client got.
If you’re interested in the story of its design, then see here now – and just be sure to come back afterwards to learn how it was done.
Here now are the techniques. There’s nothing magical. But the effects you can achieve are extraordinary.
