Painting on glass can be fun for children. It is also a creative way to personalize interior design for adults. Glass is a smooth surface that allows light to pass through when painted so as to give a magnificent luminous quality to your creations. Use the right paints and techniques to decorate windows, bottles, glasses and more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the material
Step 1. Use enamel paint
It is resistant and will last a long time. There are several types that produce different visual effects. These products all have a fairly long drying time, but once they are dry they will hold on the glass for a long time. Here are a few types of enamel paint you can choose from.
- The satin enamel paint forms the thickest layer and gives a more opaque color than the others.
- The frosted effect paint forms a much thinner layer with a slight colored undertone.
- The satin-finish crystal-effect paint produces an effect halfway between the other two.
Step 2. Paint an opaque image
Apply acrylic paint and gesso. Gesso is a mixture of white powder and binder that makes it easy to paint on virtually any surface. Apply it to the glass and paint over it with acrylic paint to achieve a completely opaque pattern.
This technique is recommended for decorating interestingly shaped bottles, glasses and other containers. If you use it to paint flat glass, the result will simply look like painting on canvas
Step 3. Create a stained glass effect
Use stained glass and water-based glass paint. The ring allows you to draw continuous, dark outlines to outline shapes that you can color with translucent colored paints. This technique will produce beautiful translucent images similar to stained glass.
Trace the outlines of your image on the glass with a felt-tip pen before ironing over it with the ring. It is much easier to erase or paint over felt than it is to cover or remove dark circles
Step 4. Choose a brush
Find a model that suits your needs. You can use virtually any type of brush or applicator for painting on glass, but the shape will affect the look of your artwork. Here are a few different options to try.
- Paintbrushes with synthetic bristles leave visible marks, which can give a fairly artisanal and rustic style to the painting. Use these tools to paint relatively fine and intricate designs.
- Brushes with natural bristles produce a smoother, more even surface. They are perfect for applying a base coat over the entire surface of the glass.
- The sponges are used to apply an even layer with texture to the glass. Use them to cover the entire surface of the object or to achieve a slightly frosted effect.
- Be sure to use the correct size tool for your project. Thin, pointed brushes work best for small, intricate shapes while large, flat brushes are ideal for painting large, even areas.
Part 2 of 3: prepare the surface
Step 1. Clean and dry the glass
Use hot water and soap to remove fingerprints, as they can prevent paint from adhering to the surface of the item or forming an even layer. Be careful not to leave other fingerprints or greasy stains on the glass when cleaning it.
- Wear latex gloves when washing the object to avoid depositing the oils that are on your skin on the glass.
- For a much more thorough cleaning, use a cotton cloth dampened with a little household alcohol in place of hot soapy water.
Step 2. Protect some parts
Cover all the parts that will come in contact with your mouth. Although the paint you are going to use is not meant to be toxic, it is possible that it will chip or come off with use. If you are painting a glass that you are going to drink in, cover its edge with masking tape down an inch or two to avoid getting paint on it.
You can also stick masking tape on other parts that you don't want painted. Try to mark oblique lines on the object and follow them with the paint to obtain transparent geometric patterns
Step 3. Apply a base
If you want to color the entire surface of the glass, lightly dip the end of a flat, wide paintbrush in the paint of your choice and apply it all over the item. Use the brush to smooth out the applied layer.
- If you want to achieve an opaque composition, start by applying one or two coats of gesso. When it is dry, apply one or two coats of paint in the color of your choice on top.
- If you only want to paint a few inconspicuous decorations on clear glass, you can skip this step and go straight to the outline drawing.
Step 4. Let the first coat dry
Let it set for at least an hour. Wait until it is dry to the touch before painting over it. This will prevent the colors of your intricate designs from smearing into the base coat.
Some types of enamel paint need to dry for 5-7 days. This time is necessary for the paint to set completely, but you don't have to wait that long between applications of different coats
Part 3 of 3: apply the paint
Step 1. Draw a pattern
Use a felt tip pen to trace the outlines of your image on the glass. Pick a starting point and carefully draw the shape you want.
- Don't be afraid that the felt will ruin your image when you paint it. Either it will be masked by the paint, or it will wash off easily.
- If you are using stained glass, apply it over the felt in the same way. Gently squeeze the bottle as you move forward to release a continuous line of product.
- If you haven't applied an opaque base and the glass is still completely transparent, you can simply trace your image instead of drawing it on the item. Draw it or print it on paper and attach it to the inside of the glass object so you can trace the design when painting it.
Step 2. Apply color
Put a little paint in the color of your choice on the end of a brush. Apply it to the desired parts of your design, making small strokes towards you.
- Start by making very light strokes. You can press harder when you get the hang of it. It's easier to add paint than it is to remove it.
- If you make a mistake, wipe the glass with paper towels to remove the paint while it is still liquid. If you are using enamel paint, you may need to apply some nail polish remover. Delete only the parts you want to redo.
Step 3. Clean the brush
Dip its end in a small glass filled with water and shake it gently to remove any remaining paint from its hairs. Then dry it with absorbent paper before choosing the next color.
If you are using enamel paint, you may need to use a suitable nail polish remover to clean the brush. You can buy it at a hobby store near the enamel paint department
Step 4. Apply another color
After cleaning and drying the brush, dip it in a little paint of the new color chosen and apply it to the glass. Be careful that it does not mix with another color that has not finished drying on the object. Repeat the process until you have colored your entire composition.
If your design is fine and intricate or you're worried about spoiling your composition, let each color dry before applying the next. After an hour, the paint should be dry enough that you can apply more without worrying about smudging
Step 5. Add a layer
If you want the colors to stand out more, apply a second coat of paint. When the first one is dry, decide if the colors are intense and vivid enough. If you want them to be more pronounced or lively, apply a second coat all over the item using the same process as the first.
Be sure to use the exact same colors as for the first coat. If the paint is slightly transparent and you layer two different colors together, they will blend together and the result may look dirty and dull
Step 6. Let the paint dry
Wait for it to completely vent. Some types of enamel and acrylic paints simply need to dry for a long time to set properly. Leave the object in a warm, dry place for up to a week before using or displaying it.
Always follow the drying instructions in the paint instructions. Some products that set by drying in the open air can only be washed by hand with warm water and soap
Step 7. Use an oven
Some paints need to be baked to dry properly and to set on the glass permanently. Place the painted item in the oven and set the appliance to the temperature specified in the product's instructions for use. Let the glass heat for about 30 minutes then turn off the oven. Leave the object inside until it cools down before taking it out.
It is important that the oven is cold when you put the item in and out. A sudden change in temperature can break the glass
Advice
- If you don't feel able to paint, you can use glass markers. You might find them easier to use than paint and brushes.
- Always follow the directions in the directions for the paint you are using.