the art of stained glass

I work from sketches, then I design a grid over an enlarged photocopy, which I get in two or three different sizes. Having selected the size or scale I want to work on, I do a tracing, known as a cartoon, outlining the shape of each cut piece of glass and indicate the colour of each piece.

Strictly speaking you should stick to this as you proceed further, but my training as a painter means that I will probably change colours and painted elements as I go along.

Painting on glass is done using oxides which are mixtures of finely ground glass, iron or copper oxides mixed with gum arabic and water, painted on to the glass with brushes and fired.

Hand fired glass known as 'antique' can be expensive and replicates glasses made in medieval times. Most readily available and cheaper is manufactured glass, which can be easily bought in 30cm square pieces.

There are various techniques which you can work onto the surfaces, including sand blasting and acid etching, as well as painting with oxides. Painting techniques mean that each piece is then fired in a kiln much in the same way as with pottery, although it doesn't take as long or require the same degree of heat.

When every piece has been cut and decorated, it comes back down onto the flat for what is called 'leading up'. After this, it is sealed, using putty and a darkening agent. Finally, the lead holding each piece is blackened to outline and highlight the individual pieces.