Fun Glass Painting Tips

Getting some good glass painting tips is a great place to start if you're new to this hobby. Glass painting is a great activity if your artistic thirst can't be quenched on canvases alone. So if you want to jazz up your dinnerware, here's some tips and techniques that are sure to make your plates, wine glasses and decorations a huge hit at your next dinner party.

Choosing Glass

The first thing you'll need before you get started is a piece of glass. This can be any glass. A popular choice for beginners is a glass dish or wine glass, but it can be anything you desire. The function of the glass will determine what kind of paint you'll want to use. If you're using plates or other serving ware that will need to be washed, you'll want to choose a thermohardening paint. This is a paint that is dried in an oven for durability. If you're strictly doing decorative glass painting, you can use an air-drying paint, since your finished work won't need to endure rough handling.

Glass Painting Supplies

You'll also need some painting basics. Regular art brushes for canvas work just fine on glass. You can also apply paint with a sponge to add a different texture. Masking or painting tape can be used to cover the glass in areas you want to leave clear. Tape is also helpful in keeping stencils in place to trace a design.

Starting Your Project

Before applying any paint to the glass, you'll need to wash it thoroughly and let it dry. Avoid touching the glass with your fingers, as the oils in your skin can keep paint from adhering.

Next you'll need to dip cotton swabs in rubbing alcohol and gently rub the glass with the moist swabs. Let the glass dry completely, which should only take a few minutes. This is to ensure that any blemishes on the glass or oils from your hands or the soap are removed so that they don't disturb the paint when it is applied.

It can be helpful to wear latex or cotton gloves if you're working with a wine glass or another piece that you need to manipulate. This will keep fingerprints off the glass.

Keep your paint on the thick side. One of the first things you'll notice is that glass is far less forgiving than canvas of thin paint. Runs can wreck a project and your patience. Thin coats of thicker paint are ideal.