How to mix a small quantity of glass paint

Part 2

Last month you saw an email we received from David. He asked about mixing a small quantity of glass paint – our usual approach being to mix a lot of paint, enough to keep us going for a week or fortnight.

David wrote:


Hello Gentlemen,

My question is : How do you mix up small quantities of paint for just 2 or 3 small suns …

Stained-glass sun


Full email and my answer here.

And I promised you a film.

Which I’ve now prepared.

It’s in 3 parts.

Part 1:
the way I was first shown to mix a small quantity of glass paint and what’s wrong with this approach

Part 2:
a slower, better way to mix a small quantity of glass paint

Part 3:
five days later – has it dried out?

Here you are, glass paint fanatic I know you are – and kindly be advised that I am headless throughout this fascinating video …

I hope this particularly helps new students coming here from our book, The Glass Painter’s Method – because yes, when you’re starting, it can be frightening I admit to mix the large quantity of glass paint we use here. (Though not as frightening surely as watching someone who talks but doesn’t seem to own a head.)

By all means mix a teaspoon-and-a-half to start with.

Just don’t do it like Part 1.

Take 10 minutes and do it like Part 2.

After 5 goes, you’ll be doing it in half-the-time.

Then you’ll be ready to mix your paint the way we recommend.

This is something we haven’t filmed for you before

I’m glad you want to learn more about techniques like how to undercoat and trace, and how to flood and strengthen.

And indeed we love the thought that technique (not self-expression) is paramount.

But before technique – also before good brushes – there’s something else.

So let’s talk about that right now.

Working your Paint, Using your Palette

Stained-glass painting: watch this high-speed, time-lapse video:

One of the biggest obstacles every glass painter faces – you, me, Stephen, everyone – is getting your paint just right. 

It’s all too easy to try to rush this task and make mistakes.

And one reason someone might rush the mixing is because they misjudge the time which the professional takes.

They imagine the professional gets it right in ‘no time’.

What really happens is, the professional might certainly rush the painting (because they can).

But they will never rush the mixing and adjusting (because no one can and also paint glass beautifully).

Live from the Studio – Day #1

Tracing and strengthening – how to mix perfect paint

It’s day #1 of an intensive five-day glass painting course for “long-haul” students who’ve travelled to our studio in Stanton Lacy (see my previous post for your nerve-jangling introduction and an absolutely breath-taking 90-second video).

The story so far …

Our students arrived two days ago to settle in and recover from their jet-lag. And today, refreshed, we went on a whirlwind and empowering tour of undercoating, tracing, strengthening and flooding – the foundations of traditional kiln-fired stained glass painting.

Now … we promised you various tips and updates live from the studio.

Today’s key tip is useful if:

  • You sometimes run into problems getting your tracing or strengthening paint to the perfect consistency; or
  • You teach glass painting and find your students adding too much water to their palette

Interested? Then let’s get going …