Creating outlines requires a steady hand

As we all know from our experiences around the home, even if we haven't touched the surface of a glass window pane it will usually need to be cleaned from time to time. When creating a reverse painting on glass, paying attention to how often our hands or fingers touch the surface of the glass can have a great deal of importance, especially if we don't want to leave unwanted traces of paint or fingerprints on view following the completion of our artwork.

In trying to find the right approach to being able to create outlines on glass without inadvertantly spreading the fine liquid lines elsewhere I came to the conclusion that as I am right-handed, starting from the left side of the glass and working towards the right would be the best way for me to work. This meant that my hand did not need to retouch the glass in the areas where I'd already created outlines. For those who are left-handed, working in the opposite direction to the one I've just described may be of help.

If you'd like to know more about how to create outlines and how to transfer an art subject to glass you can find more detailed information by visiting the links in the top right column of this page.

Outlines require using the right mix of paint..

In relation to the creation of outlines themselves, and apart from keeping the glass clean, it was also necessary to make sure that outlines remained either fine or thick throughout, as required. In the case of creating finer outlines, blobs sometimes appeared due to using a paint that was too liquid.

On the other hand, when the paint was a little too dry for the task it was necessary to keep more pressure on the instrument being used to apply the lines in order to make sure that the lines had a similar thickness and texture throughout.

When I began reverse painting many years ago I used a pen with easily changeable nibs in order to create outlines and have diligently continued using this method ever since. Since that time however (and also depending on which country you are in) the market for art materials has expanded a great deal and produced entire ranges of new art tools and ideas, which include material that can be used for glass painting.

You can find more information by visiting the Reverse Painting FAQ or the links in the top right column of this page.