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Glass painting is a fairly complicated process. It produces a look similar to stained glass. However, it isn't always the look an artist wants to have on a piece of glass. Folk painting may be the look that one wants, which can't be achieved with normal glass paints. With a little work, you can create great pieces in folk art designs on all sorts of glass items. Candle holders, decorative wine glasses and decorative plates are just the beginning.
Step 1:

Clean the glass. Begin by washing the glass with soap and water. This will remove dirt, dust and other things that can be making a mess of your glass. Finally, use vinegar on a cloth or sponge to clean off any residues or oils. After this you should use rubber gloves to handle the glass so you don't leave finger prints and oils on the glass.

Step 2:

Use acrylic paints to paint your design. You can place a picture behind the glass to paint it or you can paint freehand. The "one touch painting method" works well on glass as well. You can carefully paint with tube paints, using a nozzle to draw lines on the glass, or you can use a brush to add color to the glass.

Step 3:

Use these painting tips. Carefully paint your piece from one top corner down to the bottom of the piece. (Start in the corner opposite your dominant hand--left if you are right-handed and right if you are left-handed.) This will help to keep your hand out of the way of your paint.

It works best if you have several brushes and a pallet for your paint. This will let you mix colors and create a unique and exciting piece. 

If you are painting the whole piece and it has multiple sides, let it dry some between sessions and only do one side a session. After about an hour the paint should be dry enough to continue on to other sides.  

Step 4:

Let the paint thoroughly dry. While the paint should be dry enough to continue working after about an hour, they still need to dry thoroughly before finishing the project. Set the piece in a safe place and let it dry for 24-48 hours to make sure that they are completely dry and ready for finishing.

Step 5:

Finish the product. Once your item is completely dry, you will want to spray on acrylic, varnish or polyurethane. You want a spray version (available in most locations with a wide selection of spray paint) rather then a paint-on version. Painting the material on can cause your acrylic paints to chip. Spray a good coat on and then let it dry thoroughly. Repeat. You should use at least two coats for protecting your paint; however, more coats can help a lot. Items should only be used for decorative purposes.

Folk art painting styles can look great on glass and offer a unique look. There are lots of great options for a lot of great pieces. Have fun using your acrylic paints on glass as well as other materials!

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