How to Do Faux Stained Glass
Stained glass has been a respected medium for thousands of years. The earliest written evidence and artifacts of stained glass windows date back to the 7th century. However, examples from the Middle Ages and Renaissance stand as exemplars of the aesthetic peak of stained glass. These artworks were created by fusing handmade glass with lead, a feat that required extensive knowledge of construction, architecture, 2-D design and glass-work. You can make your own stained glass masterpiece with far less fuss by using clear plastic window clings or black paper and cellophane.
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic window clings
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Masking tape
- Light box
- Acrylic paint
- Paint brush
- Water
- Paper towel
- Black 3-D paint
- Acrylic spray sealer or varnish
- Black fadeless art paper
- Colored cellophane
- Glue
- Hole punch
- Fishing line
Instructions
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Window Cling
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1
Measure your window pane, and cut a window cling that will fit in that space; you may cover the entire pane or make a small piece as a decorative accent.
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2
Tape the window cling to a light box, or secure the cling to a window so that you can see the opacity of the paint as you work. Apply 1-inch to 3-inch wide tape around the entire perimeter of the cling to protect the glass.
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3
Paint a design on the cling; any design will work, although stained glass art is typically created with geometric shapes. Mimic the irregular thickness and texture of handmade glass by adding patches with darker hues within each pane.
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4
Wait for the paint to dry completely; this will take 24 to 48 hours, depending on the thickness of the paint and humidity.
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5
Outline each shape with black 3-D paint to mimic the lead seams of real stained glass windows.
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6
Dry for 48 to 72 hours, or as directed by the 3-D paint instructions.
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7
Remove the window cling from the window or light box and secure it to a wood plank, large table top or spray booth wall. Apply one or two thin coats of acrylic spray sealer or varnish. Work in a well-ventilated area.
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8
Cure for 48 to 72 hours.
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9
Remove the protective backing from the window cling and apply it to your window.
Paper Rose Window
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10
Stack two sheets of black fadeless paper.
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11
Fold the paper into quarters or eighths, as if you were going to cut paper snowflakes. Cut small triangles, circles and squares out of the paper. Unfold and separate the two sheets to reveal a symmetrical network of lines and patterns similar to the lead of a rose-style stained glass window.
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12
Glue small pieces of colored cellophane to the back of the black paper to cover the holes. Turn the paper over to view the finished product: colored shapes with smooth black borders.
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13
Glue the second black cut-out to the back of the first on top of the plastic; this will hide the edges of the plastic pieces.
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14
Punch a hole and string a small piece of fishing line into the top of the project to hang.
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1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
