Christine, I have used David’s technique that Stephen links to above with the calligraphy nibs and it works beautifully – if calligraphy is what you are looking to do. There are several sites online to pick up the calligraphy nibs but a well stocked local art store would have them, too. They are very reasonably priced.

Hope this helps.

Bonnie

Have you seen this post David wrote about using nib and oil? Maybe that will be help.

Now, for my own part, I can imagine lettering being fine with nib and oil if the lettering is informal and non-calligraphic. But the moment the lettering must be exactly right, then I do wonder if brush and water-based paint become appropriate … because there are techniques which permit one to (a) lay down the lines where they should be, and (b) correct small deviations.

That said, what do you think?

All the best,
Stephen

Bonnie spoke about lettering with pens – I’ve tried to do this to no avail and can’t find any reference to that technique. Can you point me in the right direction, please?

Thanks, Christine ( Australia)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Bonnie

First, the undercoat is rarely obligatory. It’s just that the technique of painting on an undercoat is itself so rarely mentioned that we feel it’s more than worth an emphasis.

Second, your questions are perfect. If you “stick” around the lettering, you will indeed (in some measure) damage the undercoat.

However, if the undercoat is fine, there are many circumstances in which it will become nearly invisible through firing. (This is because between 10% and 15% of the darknesss of paint is usually removed by the mere process of firing.) So, with a fine undercoat, the “damage” will itself become even finer.

That said, you are absolutely correct in thinking you would otherwise need to remove the whole undercoat. Now if you will please look in the column on the far right, under “Useful Free Downloads”, you’ll find a published article of ours called “Stained Glass Lettering” where we do indeed remove the whole undercoat. This is a messy process. But, since the lettering lasts for tens of years, maybe for centuries, then, if the undercoat grants us accuracy, perhaps the mess of removing it can now be justified?

Thanks so much for seeing that we need to expand and clarify here!

All the best from us,
Stephen

Would this not damage the undercoat and consequently force you to remove the entire undercoat?

If not, how do you resolve the highlights that are created by sticking?

Thanks,
Julia