How to Make a Tinsel Glass Painting

Clear space to paint glass and invite friends to try it with you.

The technique of tinsel glass painting came out of reverse glass painting during the 1800s; it mimicked earlier ancient oriental and Egyptian art of painting a decor on gilded or enameled glass. Create the likeness of the ancient art yourself with an empty picture frame, some paint and tin foil. Read on to learn how to make a tinsel glass painting.

Things You'll Need

• A picture or design
• Onionskin or tracing paper
• Calligraphy pen and India ink, or opaque black oil-based paint marker
• Opaque glass paint
• Small artist paintbrushes
• Liquid glass stain
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Purchase or find an old frame. Remove the glass, and thoroughly clean it. Refinish or decorate the frame if it is in bad shape or to enhance the tinsel glass painting.

2. Create a design or trace a design onto onionskin or tracing paper. Lay the glass on top of the paper.

3. Outline the design onto the glass with a calligraphy pen and India ink or a fine tip opaque black oil-based paint marker. Fill in any sections that you want to appear black.

4. Allow the ink to completely dry. Once dry, fill in the background area (surrounding the outlined picture) with a colored opaque glass paint. Let it dry overnight.

5. Fill in the design/picture with different colors of liquid glass stain. To mix colors for a desired shade, paint one color first, let it dry, then paint the second color on top. Allow this to dry.

6. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that is about 1/4 to 1/2 larger than the glass on all sides. Crush it, then lay it out and flatten it again on a level firm surface. There will still be a few crinkles in the foil.

7. Lay the frame face down on a table or the floor. Insert the glass with the painted side up.

8. Cover the frame backing with the aluminum foil, and turn the edge of the foil around the edge of the backing to hold the foil flat and in place. Put the back of the frame on and secure it. The foil will show through to create an antique tinsel glass painting.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to include lettering, you will need to flip the tracing paper over and copy your design from the reverse side so the letters face forward on the glass.

• Use a fine tip brush when filling in small areas of the background. such as between flower petals.

• When mixing colors of the glass stain, practice first on scrap glass or a discarded bottle.

References

• Reverse Glass Painting; Anne Dimock; 2010
• Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online: Folk Arts
• Frances Federer Jewellery: Glass News
• Michael's Craft Store: Glass Painting Craze