How to Do Cartoon Pictures on a Glass Painting?

Glass painting is a practical application of fine arts. Retail shops, restaurants and office fronts will sometimes purchase a glass painting on their window as an inexpensive way to advertise. It's perfect for temporary promotions because it looks permanent, but cleans off easily when it's no longer needed. Cartoon characters are perfect for these kinds of paintings because their contrast with reality makes them eye-catching. Painting characters on glass requires more delicacy than sketching them on paper, but its not too difficult with practice.

Things You'll Need

• Acrylic glass paint
• Paint brushes
• Graph paper
• Pencil
• Warm water
• Washcloth
• Razor blade
• Paper towels
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Set a ratio of graph boxes on your paper to the actual height and width of the glass. Draw the cartoon characters out and determine their defining features. Find some aspect of the characters that will be exaggerated and made a recognizable part of their identity.

2. Wash your glass with warm water and dry it off with paper towels. Tape off any ledges or edges you don't want sullied by paint. Square off the part of the glass you will paint with tape and mark measurement lines to help transfer the paper drawing.

3. Dip your brush into the paint and lightly wipe it onto a paper towel to remove drippy excess. Paint on the glass in smooth, single strokes, avoiding adding unnecessary layers to the picture. Spray drying acrylic with water if you need to make color alterations. Chip away at dried excess paint with a razor blade.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want your painting to be better protected from the elements, you may want to paint it on the inside of the window. This means you will have to paint in reverse and in a single layer to make it appear right from the outside.

• Cartoon characters look better in action than they do standing. Create an exaggerated pose for them; make it realistic by building from a single line of action located where their spine would be.

References

• Michaels: Glass Painting Basics
• One Stroke Decorative Painting on Windows
• Uncle Fred: Learn to Draw and Color Cartoons