GLASS PAINTING

 

Things you will need:   1.   A   circle of double strenght glass of 7  inches.                                               2. a white cloth or paper.   3.glass paints of black,green ,red, yellow &   blue colours. 4.round tip paint brush. 5.a wire hook. Technique:- 1. Take a 7" circle from double strength  glass.   2.Place it on a white paper or cloth. 3. Place the glass circle over the outline pattern. Trace the outline of the pattern with the outline black paint using the squeeze bottle and decorator tip. When dry, fill in the different elements of the pattern with color and the outline black will not bleed or smear. This will save a firing.  4. Start to paint the design. The paint should be the consistency of milk. Colors will tend to settle in the jar and will have to be stirred before and during use. These colors dry slowly to allow brush marks to level out. Puddle on the paint using a soft, round brush. One coat is all that is necessary. If the color is accidentally applied over the outline, immediately use the tip of your finger to push it back across the line. 5. Using the light and dark green paint will add depth and realism to the leaves. On the flower petals, apply the main color, leaving the area to be shaded empty. While the first color is still wet, apply the second color and blend together with a fine brush. On the petals, the black is pulled back into the main color, leaving an irregular line, which gives a natural look to the flower. 6. Place the painted piece in the kiln. Fire this project on a prepared kiln shelf to 1500°-1525°. When the glass if fired this hot, the surface will devitrify, which means that the glass surface will look frosty when finished. To eliminate devitrification, flash-vent the kiln lid after the firing process until the glass starts to lose its red appearance. Do not disturb and do not remove the glass until the kiln has reached room temperature. 7. Lead, zinc, or brass came can be used for the edge of the finished piece. U-shaped brass filigree is used as the finished edge on this project. Wrap the brass around the outer edge and cut to length.  8. Flux and solder where the two edges meet. A small wire hook can be added to the back of the brass joint for hanging. Clean the project thoroughly with flux remover and warm soapy water.  Hang in a sunny place and give yourself a hand!