Stained glass is a work of art made of colored glass, designed for through-lighting. Previously, stained glass was used mainly in churches, but now it is a newfangled trend in decoration, which is becoming increasingly popular every year. Stained glass has become much more accessible; it has become possible to insert them into door panels, ordinary window frames, partitions and screens.

To make stained glass windows with your own hands, you don’t have to invite a craftsman; almost anyone can handle this task. All you need is the desire to achieve your goal, a little perseverance and precise implementation of the given advice.

How to make a stained glass window?

You will need:

1. PVA emulsion;
2. Special stained glass paints or aniline dyes;
3. Whatman paper, cardboard or graph paper;
4. Pencil;
5. Alcohol or acetone;
6. Scotch;
7. Level;
8. Brushes;
9. Aluminum wire 1.6 mm thick.

Instructions:

• Before you start working, decide what pattern you want to see on the glass and what colors it will be made of. The design can be absolutely anything: an ornament, an image of flowers, birds, animals, etc. The image can only be limited by your imagination. Involve children in creating the drawing - they will definitely give you an interesting idea.
• Draw the outlines of the pattern on whatman paper, cardboard or graph paper. Mark where and what color you will put it. If you don’t know how to draw, ask your friends or use carbon paper. Take the glass out of the item you will decorate with stained glass. Degrease the side of the glass on which the stained glass will be located with alcohol or acetone.
• Use tape to secure the design to the back. Using a level, position the glass strictly horizontally. Bend the necessary elements from the wire along the contours of the drawing. Lubricate them liberally with PVA emulsion on the side adjacent to the glass and place them on the glass. To make the wire stick more tightly, place a metal plate with a weight on it. After about 1.5 - 2 hours the wire should stick.
• While the wire is being glued, start preparing the colors. Dissolve aniline dyes in distilled water and strain the resulting solution. As a result, there should be no lumps or other solid particles left in it. Mix the solution with PVA emulsion until it reaches the consistency of cream.
• To check the color saturation, apply a little of the mixture to a small piece of glass. After polymerization you will see the final shade. If it is too bright, you can add more PVA to the mixture; if it is too pale, you can add a dye solution. In addition to aniline dyes, you can use ready-made stained glass paints - they do not have to be diluted in emulsion and water.
• Don't just get carried away with bright colors. The overall color scheme should be harmoniously balanced. When all the colors are prepared, pour them into glass jars and cover with a lid to prevent them from drying out prematurely. Now you can begin the most important and important stage of the work - decorating the picture on the glass.
• Before you start, prepare a clean brush and practice a little. The color must be applied strictly sequentially, gradually pouring the solution at the contour of the pattern from the wire using a brush. When adding new colors, monitor the overall thickness of the layer - the saturation of the area being covered and the uniformity of its tone will depend on it.
• During work, do not touch the already formed layer, otherwise the emulsion will begin to dry out under the influence of contact with air, and new portions of the color will upset the balance, which will lead to a defect. If this happens, carefully wash off the piece and let the glass dry.
• Having covered all the necessary areas with the 1st color, rinse the brush thoroughly and proceed to applying the next color. In order to avoid possible bleeding of the 1st color into the others, in case of loose gluing of the contour wire, it is better to fill the color only in the vicinity of already hardened spots. In any case, be careful in relation to already painted areas and, just in case, place clean cotton wool and a container of water next to you.
• When you have completely painted the picture, look carefully at the back of the stained glass window. Sometimes, the places where the wire strands are glued look sloppy - this can be corrected with white enamel paint (just carefully degrease the glass). When white stripe Once dry, you can fix the stained glass window in place.

Stained glass patterns: options

Stained glass is a beautiful decoration of a glass surface. With its help, you can make any glass more elegant, and the design of the room more unusual, emphasizing the uniqueness of your home. Creating a stained glass window is quite simple, especially if you know how to draw. If not, use stencils or templates.

Stained glass painting has been known for a long time. But this painting technique is also of interest to modern artists. To obtain spectacular images and comfortable work with drawings, special stencils for stained glass paints are used. With such devices, even novice artists can achieve neat and even drawings.

Stained glass is a transparent picture, drawing, pattern that is made on a glass surface. Places for installing such an image are light openings of windows, doors, lanterns, vaults, domes, solid wall planes and even special decorations on artistic products.

When painting on glass, the practice is to outline the lines and details of the design by applying a thin layer of contour paint, without leaving areas on the glass with holes and broken lines. The function of paint is barrier. Well, the space between the contour elements is painted with a brush or from a tube that has a special elongated spout, using stained glass paints.

Today, the artistic processing of glass is becoming more and more improved, which naturally requires an expansion of the concept of “stained glass”.

Materials for painting

If you want to start with simple work, look on the Internet for samples of stencils for glass painting that you can cut out yourself. At the initial stage of painting stained glass on glass fiber, this method is acceptable and profitable. When you learn to confidently use this image creation technique, you can buy templates in stores that specialize in selling decorating products.

To decorate glass you can use the following tools:

• Degreasing liquid (like rubbing alcohol).

• Napkins.

• Scotch.

• Acrylic paints.

• Tassels.

• Sponge.

• Disposable spoons.

• Matting pastes or aerosols.

In this case, the main character of the process will be the stencil itself for painting on glass. Stained glass windows are a real miracle.

On video: what you need to paint glass.

Surface and stencil preparation

Before application, clean the glass surface thoroughly with water and detergent or alcohol. First we apply matting paste. A clean surface is especially important for maximum evenness of the pattern. Try on the stencil to make sure the dimensions are accurate.

Apply spray adhesive to the back of the stencil. If you frost glass, it is simply necessary. Try to distribute the glue evenly over the surface of the stencil, since the stencil is reusable.

The next important preparatory step is to glue the stencil well and tightly. Smoothing it through a sheet of paper will help protect it from damage, and the glass from contamination. Take the matting paste and spread it like jam on bread with a disposable spoon.

The paste is not aggressive, safe for the skin, and instantly leaves marks on the glass. Therefore, it is important not to drip by.

Cover the design evenly with a generous layer of paint. The picture will appear blurry. Leave the paste for 10-15 minutes to spread over the surface of the glass. Collect excess paste back into the jar as it is reusable. The glass surface must be washed as quickly as possible so that the paint does not eat away the excess area. Do this under a strong stream of water sharply and vigorously.

Reusable self-adhesive stencils for stained glass will allow you to create magnificent images on glass surfaces.

For painting you will need acrylic paint; it does not spread over the surface and is difficult to wash off. Gouache and watercolor paints are not used for this technique. Oil paints and tempera paints, which have a long drying period, are also not suitable.

If you choose a special painting technique, you can use an assortment of contour paints for the glass surface.

Stencils or templates?

These two concepts should not be confused. After all, stencils are called drawings cut on surfaces such as:

• paper;
• cardboard;
• film;
• lamellar.

Before starting work, be sure to secure the stencil to the surface. This technology allows you to obtain an image after applying paint to a stencil. Voids and cut out areas will be painted. This method is very convenient for applying inscriptions or large details.

Templates for painting - this is the name for drawing options using a reusable sample. A significant difference in the technique of using templates is that the image is transferred to areas of the surface after its contours have been traced. Large details are outlined using a pencil or carbon paper.

Work algorithm

How to correctly apply a picture, painting or pattern to a glass surface? The sequence of actions looks like this:

1. Prepare a number of necessary materials and tools.
2. Degrease the surface, remove dirt and stains from it so that the paint can be applied evenly.
3. Be sure to secure the stencil to the surface using tape.
4. Apply paint using a sponge, starting with light shades.
5. Small elements can be drawn with a brush.
6. The finished product must be dried for as long as required by the type of paint. Natural drying during the day is optimal.
7. After the paint has dried, the surface of the picture can be coated with acrylic varnish to better fix the image.

To obtain an image with clear contours, it is important that the sponge is dry. Then glass painting will look beautiful.

Painting possibilities

The use of stencils for stained glass paints will allow you to obtain spectacular images on the following surfaces:

• on glasses;
• on glasses;
• on vases;
• on plates;
• on bottles.

A painted plate should not be used for eating if the design is on top. This is a decorative option. If you want to be able to continue to use this cutlery for its intended purpose, it is recommended to apply an image on the bottom of a transparent glass plate.

Additional subtleties

• To apply images to the surface of the bottle, it is better to use cut out stencils for stained glass windows.
• It is more convenient to draw contours as a carbon copy. Then the painting on glass will be clear.
• The contours of lines drawn in pencil look more clearly on painted surfaces, therefore, it is recommended to immediately paint the bottle with acrylic stained glass paints.

Dot painting technique

The types of images depend on the choice of painting technique. Thanks to the dot technique, you can work with contour stained glass paint on the surface. The sequence of work is as follows:

• Draw outlines with a simple pencil.
• Points that have the same dimensions at the same distance are drawn along the contour.
• The technique requires drawing a picture from general elements to specific ones, immediately a large image, then smaller details. The size of the coloring dots will depend on how hard you pressed the tube.
• When using contour image It is necessary to paint the details along the contour of the drawing.
• To perform detailed drawings, use thin brushes or contour paints in a tube.

To perform stained glass painting you will need skill and accuracy. Paints in tubes are not as thick as acrylic paints, so they can spread over surfaces.

We hope that the information received will help you master this interesting technique. Let painting with colorful stencil paints bring you real pleasure from the creative process!

Stencil painting of a glass (1 video)

Variety of stencils and templates (23 photos)

The art of creating stained glass can be applied in your home. The room in which fragments of stained glass decor will be present will sparkle with new colors, such a design will not go unnoticed.

Useful information about stained glass

This type of design, such as stained glass, refers to artistic painting. This decorative art knows no boundaries either in time or in the variety of its applications.

Some historical facts

This type of art has ancient history. Archaeological excavations confirm that stained glass art existed in Ancient Babylon, Rome, Greece, and Egypt. Some finds made of multi-colored glass, according to archaeologists, are about five thousand years old.

The modern understanding of stained glass is inextricably linked with the Christian traditions of temple design. The windows, decorated with stained glass, were created by Byzantine craftsmen in the Temple of St. Sophia of Constantinople (VI century). Stained glass windows of that time were boards interspersed with glass. Those countries in which glass was not yet suspected used stones (in the form of plates) - selenite, alabaster.

This is what the images in the temple look like, made using stained glass technique

The first book describing all the intricacies of stained glass art was published in the 11th century. This work, written by the German monk Theophilus, contains all the classical principles of using glass for decoration.

Let's skip the centuries-old history of the development of stained glass decor and return to our days. Over this long period, both materials and tools have changed dramatically.

The combination of classics and innovation is characteristic of the works of modern masters of this type of creativity. The technology for creating stained glass has become much simpler, and this makes it possible to use this technique to create beautiful decor with your own hands.

Places of application

The modern use of stained glass is very diverse:

• windows;
• doors and doorways;
• glass partitions;
• niches;
• pieces of furniture;
• mirrors;
• panel;
• ceilings.

Stained glass windows are decorative elements that are appropriate both in public places (cafes, restaurants, museums, offices) and at home. Furniture in the children's room and kitchen, slides in the bedroom, ceilings in the living room, facades of furniture sets - this is just a small fraction of what can be decorated with stained glass in a home interior.

Advantages of using stained glass windows at home:

1. Safety. Such elements cannot cause injury to either adults or children, especially if the stained glass windows are made using film technology.
2. Variety of colors and styles. You yourself have the right to decide what tone and style to choose so that the stained glass decoration is in tune with the entire setting.
3. Easy care. Stained glass windows do not require any special care products; a regular glass cleaner and a soft cloth will do the job perfectly.
4. Economical. Creating a stained glass window at home with your own hands is much cheaper than ordering such pleasure from companies involved in their production.

Types of techniques

Stained glass windows can be created using various techniques and techniques developed by masters of their craft. Here brief description such techniques.

Technique	Stages of creation	Application
Classic	Creating a sketch. Laying out the outline of the design using a metal profile. Inserting glass fragments into metal profiles. Soldering joints. Painting glass areas.	Suitable for creating large-sized structures. All areas listed above.
	Drawing a sketch. Breaking the sketch into fragments. Cutting out glass elements. Giving glass fragments the required sizes and shapes. Glass parts are wrapped with copper adhesive tape. Connecting parts using soldering (tin + lead).	This technology is akin to the process of creating artistic canvases from paints, the details of a stained glass window can be so small. The application is varied, but the design of lamps using this technique is interesting.
	Sketch. Cutting glass exactly according to the sketch. Collecting blanks into a single whole. Sintering in a special furnace.	The relief and multi-layering of the resulting products allows them to be used as paintings, mirrors and other interior decorations
Sandblasting	Selecting a pattern and making a stencil. Surface treatment (glass, plexiglass, mirror). Attaching the stencil to the surface to be decorated. Impact on the surface using abrasive and compressed air. Application of hydrophobic varnish (for protection).	The decor is matte, so it is most often used in interiors to dim light, as well as to decorate doors, etc.
	Creating a drawing according to the size of the proposed stained glass window. Transferring the design to glass. Drawing contours (with special paints). Filling the fragments with the desired color (done with special paints for stained glass).	Various areas of application - depending on the ideas of the decorator or designer. The screens covering the batteries look interesting under such “protection”.

There are many other ways of applying patterns to glass surfaces, but, most likely, it will no longer be stained glass, but its imitation: film technology, flooded, farcet stained glass, photo printing, frosted glass, collages, 3D design, etc. An excellent option for using such stained glass - wardrobe doors, mirrors, furniture elements, etc.

Making stained glass windows with your own hands

First, think about it, and then imagine on paper what you want to get in the end. Based on this idea, stock up on materials.

Selection of materials and tools

To paint stained glass (one of the most accessible techniques for the common man) you will need:

• acrylic paints, selected according to the color of your sketch;
• a solvent suitable for such materials;
• brushes of different sizes;
• contours for stained glass works;
• cotton swabs;
• barbecue sticks or toothpicks;
• ferrule.

Acrylic paints have long gained great popularity among needlewomen different directions. And this is no coincidence, since they are easily washed off (when applying unnecessary strokes), adhere well and mix with each other, and there is no chemical smell when working with them.

When choosing paint, do not forget to look at the line about the purpose of these materials. They must be suitable for working with glass and ceramics.

It is very easy to create stained glass on a glass surface using the film technique. To do this, you need to find a special film, which differs from ordinary self-adhesive and is a high-tech imitation of colored glass. Between the two transparent layers there is a colored substance that is resistant to sunlight and temperature variations (from -45 to +135 Celsius). The color schemes presented by the manufacturers of this material help bring any idea to life.

Stained glass film is cut with ordinary scissors; you do not need any special devices. The fragments are glued together using a special lead tape. There is another option - the easiest - to use a film already with a pattern applied, ready-made. But in this case, you will have to say goodbye to your idea.

The choice of technology and appropriate materials is yours.

Making a stencil

If, however, you prefer the implementation of stained glass in a painted version, then you will need a stencil for the work. This is especially necessary for people who do not have sufficient experience and certain skills as an artist.

Stencil selection

The sketch, previously drawn by you or downloaded from Internet sources, needs to be transferred from a thin sheet of paper to a thicker “medium” - cardboard, whatman paper, etc.

If the stained glass pattern is intended to be used several times, then there is a logical reason to make a stencil from plastic, then it can serve more than once.

There are templates that can be reproduced on a stencil, with special designations for each fragment of the future stained glass window. These can be numerical or alphabetic abbreviations indicating the color of this area.

By securely attaching the template design to the glass surface, you won’t have to worry about not reproducing your idea exactly. All you have to do is draw according to the template's instructions.

We bring ideas to life

1. We print (draw ourselves) a suitable stencil and transfer it to a dense material.
2. Then it is necessary to degrease the surface that we will decorate.

   Degreasing the glass surface

Stained glass is experiencing a renaissance. Colored glass paintings are increasingly used by designers to decorate interiors in a variety of styles. Such a painting can decorate a room, become its accent, and set the tone for the entire interior. But previously, making stained glass was labor-intensive and expensive, but modern techniques allow you to create masterpieces on glass yourself.

Styles and techniques

There are many styles of stained glass, because stained glass itself dates back to the Middle Ages. Over time, it changed, reflecting the cultures of different countries and eras; the emergence of new techniques made it possible to diversify the materials used. Nowadays, several styles are used to decorate rooms.

1. Classical. Involves a symmetrical design, floral motifs or geometric pattern. Made in warm, pastel colors. Suitable for classic interiors with clear lines and good quality, heavy furniture.
2. Gothic. This is the style of Catholic churches of medieval Europe. Twilight, upward direction of narrow lancet windows and tall towers with spiers, dark red, scarlet, gold, green, blue, purple colors. It uses religious motifs or scenes from the life of medieval knights, castles, exploits, dragons, unicorns. Gothic stained glass will give the space a touch of mystery and fabulousness. It was during the Middle Ages that the most famous stained glass windows, recognized as masterpieces, were created.

   Stained glass in Gothic style - a fairy tale and mystery in your home

3. Modern. Perhaps a universal style for any interior. The main motives of this style are marine, the idea is the priority of form over content. This style is characterized by smooth, fancy lines, one way or another repeating the shape of a sea wave, grace, and sophistication. Pale, muted colors, halftones, blue-green tones. Art Nouveau goes well with modern technology and goes well with a high-tech interior.

   Stained glass in Art Nouveau style is appropriate in any interior

4. Abstract. Involves a geometric pattern and bright, cheerful colors. Does not conflict with almost any interior, except for the most orthodox one. Brings a special emotionality into the space. In abstract stained glass it is important to maintain a balance between form and color and then it will never get boring, charging you with optimism and encouraging creativity.

   Stained glass in an abstract style is suitable for any interior and will never get boring

5. Egyptian. Dim paintings in sandy-brown tones. The drawing reproduces Egyptian hieroglyphs, gods, pharaohs and scenes from their lives.
6. Antique. The paintings resemble antique mosaics with ancient Greek scenes. Characterized by the presence of many small details. Suitable for rooms in a minimalist style.

   Stained glass in an antique style is often a finished product

7. Byzantine. It is distinguished by the use of not only colored, but also transparent glass, which makes the image seem to be hanging in the air. Such stained glass windows resemble glass painting and are suitable for rooms filled with light.

   The use of transparent glass in the Byzantine style creates the illusion of the design floating in the air

8. Vanguard. The subject of the drawing can be anything. But thanks to modern execution techniques, it is given a sense of volume. The image is multi-layered, with three-dimensional details, on transparent or frosted glass, glossy, shining. This stained glass window sets the tone for the entire room and makes it trendy.

   Stained glass in an avant-garde style can contain voluminous details

Stained glass in the interior creates a powerful accent, so it is important not to make a mistake when choosing a style. It should be in harmony with the overall style of the room or set it. Then the rest of the interior items will complement and play with it without creating dissonance.

You can decorate any glass or mirror surface with stained glass. This will give the interior uniqueness, originality and a feeling of luxury. It is appropriate to place a stained glass window in any room.

Where to place stained glass in an apartment

1. Windows. Stained glass will give the bedroom a feeling of coziness, and the nursery - a fabulous feel. Stained glass in a window can be used as protection from the sun, hide the bathroom from prying eyes, and add festiveness and comfort to the kitchen.

   A floral pattern on the balcony window will create the illusion of a country house

2. Doors. You can decorate both fully glass doors and glass inserts. It is better to do the drawing in the same style on all doors.

   It is better to keep the pattern on all doors in the same style

3. False windows. This glass picture is backlit and is often installed in bathrooms or on staircases.

   A stained glass window will help avoid the feeling of a closed space and additionally decorate the room

4. Ceiling lamps. Large glass shades or acrylic inserts in the ceiling will add originality to the interior.

   The Gothic interior will be decorated with a stained glass ceiling

5. Glass partitions. They can be transparent or matte. Such partitions are often installed between the kitchen and the bathroom or the toilet and the bathroom. Stained glass allows light to pass through, but does not allow you to see what is happening behind it.

   Stained glass is a good solution for zoning a room

6. Furniture fronts, glass countertops. Decorating furniture with stained glass - good way give it personality. Even old furniture decorated with stained glass looks expensive and luxurious.

   Stained glass inserts are appropriate for both living room and kitchen furniture

1. As already mentioned, the plot of the drawing should correspond to the general style and atmosphere of the room.
2. Dark tones and horizontal lines are suitable for spacious rooms with high ceilings; they visually reduce the space.

   Dark tones of stained glass create an atmosphere of mystery, but visually reduce the space

3. Stained glass on a mirror is a good choice for small spaces. It will create a perspective of space and visually enlarge the room.

   Stained glass on the mirror will create a sense of perspective and expand a small room

4. The abundance of bright colors and colorful images can become boring over time. Take this into account when choosing an ornament.
5. For the bedroom and nursery, it is better to choose calm, light colors that are conducive to relaxation.

   For the bedroom it is better to prefer calm tones

6. It is appropriate to decorate the kitchen with a landscape or still life, and the bathroom with a marine theme.

   Scenes with fish are suitable for the bathroom

But not every stained glass window can be done independently. There are several types of execution techniques.

Types of equipment

1. Classic or typesetting. The most complex and ancient technique. Colored glass fragments are inserted into metal frames, assembled into a pattern and soldered. The technique requires special tools and skills. Used for large structures and only by professionals.

   Stained glass in classic technique indispensable for large areas

2. English or film. The pattern is formed on glass from stained glass self-adhesive film. Each fragment is cut out separately and glued to the place determined by the stencil. The pasted fragments are framed with lead tape. With certain skills, you can make such a stained glass window yourself.
3. Fusing. Stained glass is made without a metal frame by sintering multi-colored fragments into a monolithic pattern. It is impossible to make such a stained glass window at home; a special oven with a high temperature is required.

   Stained glass using the fusing technique amazes with the brightness of colors and integrity of the composition

4. Tiffany. This technique is similar to the classical one. Pattern fragments are cut out of colored glass and bordered with copper tape. The finished elements are assembled into a pattern and soldered together. This technique is difficult for beginners, but it can be mastered and used at home.

   Stained glass using the Tiffany technique successfully replaces the classical technique

5. Sandblasting. It involves processing glass using a stencil with sand fed under high pressure. The treated areas become matte, and the pattern becomes airy. It cannot be used at home; it requires special equipment.
6. Cast. Each element is cast or blown from glass separately. After this, the fragments are assembled into a picture using reinforcement or mortars. Not used at home.
7. Etching. By etching glass with hydrofluoric acid, deep relief patterns are created. Using this strong acid at home is hazardous to health.
8. Painted stained glass window. The pattern is copied onto the glass and outlined. After the contour of the void has dried, it is painted with stained glass paints.

   Using the painted technique you can create real paintings

9. Contour filler. As with the painted technique, the outline of the design is first prepared. After it dries, the voids are filled with a thick layer of paint. If necessary, the paint is leveled with a brush or wooden stick.

   The pouring technique most successfully imitates classical styles

Video: making English film stained glass with your own hands

Painted stained glass and contour pouring techniques are the most accessible for self-production. They do not require special knowledge, materials or tools, and can imitate almost any other technique. To make such stained glass windows you only need special paints, accuracy and patience.

Video: do-it-yourself stained glass using the Tiffany technique

What you need to make stained glass

Before you start work, prepare everything you need. For painted and filled stained glass you will need paints.

Paints

Special stained glass or acrylic glass paints are used. They all have their own characteristics.

Acrylic paints

The composition includes three main components: pigment, water and acrylic polymer emulsion. Sold in tubes or jars.

Acrylic paints are sold in jars and tubes

Acrylic paints dry quickly, after which they become durable and resilient. After drying, they are resistant to temperature and humidity changes. It is very difficult to scrape off a dried coating, as well as to remove it with sandpaper.

Acrylic paints dry quickly and are easy to work with at home.

The color of the finished coating is matte and bright. It is not subject to fading and does not fade over time. Paints of different colors can be mixed with each other. The brush should be washed with water immediately after use; if it becomes dry, you will have to use a solvent.

There are two types: fired and unfired. After application, those fired are heated in the oven, harden and become resistant to external influences. The firing temperature is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

Stained glass paints can be fired or unfired

If the paints are not fired, after a week they will dry and harden in the same way as when fired, but before this point there is a risk of smearing them. Paints are water-based, so they are diluted with it. Brushes can also be washed with water.

Unfired paints dry in 1 to 3 days, depending on the manufacturer. The drawing requires fixing by applying a layer of nitro varnish.

These colors are more vibrant. They are thicker due to the synthetic solvent they contain. They fit well and are more convenient to work on vertical surfaces.

Homemade paints

Some craftsmen prefer to use their own paints. They are easy to make yourself from what is sold in construction stores.

1. Based on nitro varnish. NTs-2141 or another similar one is used. Nitrovarnish is diluted with solvent 647 in a ratio of 1 to 0.4. Can be tinted with artistic oil paint or construction paint. The dye is added little by little until the desired color intensity is achieved.
2. Based on BF-2 glue. The glue is diluted twice with acetone and tinted with any alcohol-based dye. This could be ballpoint pen paste or other paint. The emulsion is stirred in a glass container and tested on the glass. If necessary, add paint until the required intensity is achieved.
3. Gelatin based. 5–6 grams of gelatin brew 200 ml hot water until it reaches a paste consistency and add fabric dye. A drawing made from such paint requires fixing with nitro varnish.

In addition to paints, you will need an outline for the work. This is a special thick paste for outlining the borders of a pattern. It imitates metal frames for pieces of smalt in painted and filled stained glass windows.

Circuit

Relief contours are made on a water basis and are sold in tubes. With their help, the drawing is outlined, which is then filled with paints. Can also be used to create a three-dimensional drawing.

Stained glass contours can be used to create a three-dimensional pattern

At home, contour paste can be prepared using PVA glue. To do this, you will need 50 ml of tableware PVA, 20-30 ml of natural black ink (the best is Dutch), 30-40 grams of silver or bronze powder.

Mascara is added to the glue with constant stirring, and then powder until a creamy consistency is obtained. This paste is prepared as needed and is not stored. Stir each time before use. Masters apply it with a brush, forming a roll; for beginners, it is more convenient to use a pastry syringe.

Required Tools

To make stained glass using different techniques, a special tool is required. In drawing and pouring techniques you will need a minimum of it:

• ruler;
• pencil;
• glass marker;
• tassels;
• wooden sticks or toothpicks.

And of course, making stained glass is impossible without a stencil of the design. Let's take a closer look at how to do it.

Stencil for stained glass

A suitable stencil can be purchased at a specialty store or from a stained glass artist. But it’s much more interesting to make a stencil yourself by choosing a suitable sketch.

Do not choose a sketch with many details and voids; such a design will look sloppy on the finished stained glass window.

The image can be downloaded from the Internet and simply printed at the required scale, taking into account the size of the future stained glass window. Or take a picture or postcard you like and enlarge it to the required size.

Photo gallery: samples of stencils for creating stained glass yourself

Floral motifs never go out of style and are suitable for any room The stencil details are numbered for easy painting of the stained glass window. The lattice complements the flower and gives the design a finished look. Birds are another timeless subject for stained glass

Number the parts of the drawing with the same color. This will help you avoid making mistakes when coloring.

How to enlarge a drawing

1. Draw the pattern into cells with a side of no more than 1 cm.
2. Number the resulting grid vertically and horizontally.
3. Take measurements from stained glass.
4. Transfer the dimensions onto paper.
5. Mark the sheet according to the number of cells in the picture.
6. Draw a grid on the sheet in accordance with the markings.
7. Cell by cell transfer the image from the postcard onto paper on an enlarged scale.
8. The finished drawing can be adjusted and colors changed.

If you have drawing skills, you can create the pattern yourself. To do this, transfer the dimensions of the future stained glass window onto a sheet of paper and mark the contours of the pattern location. Draw with a simple pencil so that you can correct inaccuracies.

When choosing an image, keep in mind that when enlarged, its proportions may suffer. If necessary, draw the drawing not in squares, but in rectangles.

Draw in the details, you should get a complete picture. Trace the finished drawing along the contour with a ballpoint pen or a thin marker.

Application

Having prepared everything you need, you can begin making stained glass. Make sure that the work surface is level, and remember that the glass may break if handled carelessly.

Making stained glass: step-by-step instructions

1. Place the glass on the prepared stencil so that their edges coincide.
2. Thoroughly degrease the glass with alcohol, acetone or vinegar. Dry the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth.
3. Transfer the outlines of the design from the stencil onto the glass with a special disappearing marker. If you have experience in drawing, the lines can be applied directly with a contour or contour paste.

   Drawing a contour requires accuracy and a precise eye.

4. Let the outline dry, otherwise the drawing will smudge.
5. Now all that remains is to fill the voids of the drawing with paints. This is done with a thin brush or straight from the tube. Tubes of ready-made paints are equipped with a convenient spout.

   Paints are applied to stained glass with a brush or using a tube attachment.

6. Paint is applied from the edges to the center. It’s okay if paint gets on the outline during work - touch it up with a wooden stick or toothpick. After drying, special paints become transparent and the outline appears through them.
7. If the design involves color transitions, lighter or darker tones are applied after the base ones. They can be mixed or shaded with the main ones using a toothpick.
8. Bubbles formed during the work are also removed using a toothpick.
9. Let the finished painting dry completely. Some paints require additional coating with nitro varnish, please pay attention to this. This information is indicated on the packaging.
10. All that remains is to insert the stained glass into the frame.

    Stained glass can be inserted into the frame

To protect yourself from cuts, you can first cover the edges of the glass with masking tape before work.

Video: master class on making stained glass using poured technique

Having mastered the painted and poured techniques, you can try yourself in the English film or fusion technique. This will require a lot of expense, materials and skills, but it's worth it.

Photo gallery: several ideas for placing stained glass windows in the interior

Abstract drawing suitable for high-tech style Floral ornament will decorate the living room windows Stained glass on the bathroom window will add a special atmosphere and protect from prying eyes A geometric pattern for a living room can be easily made using stained glass film The stained glass windows of the landing windows are made in the same style Bay windows are well suited for stained glass The ceiling insert can be decorated with stained glass film

Creating stained glass windows is a creative and exciting activity. Even children can make the simplest stained glass windows. And let your work not be similar to the masterpieces of world painting, but they will bring originality and a piece of your individuality to your home.

Stained glass windows have been making people admire their indescribable beauty for many centuries. Despite the fact that the origins of this type of art are hidden in the depths of centuries, even today it has not lost any of its relevance and relevance. This is quite logically explained by the fact that such decor, when beautifully and carefully executed, can bring not only comfort and homely warmth to any room, but also a special originality of interior design.

Even a novice craftsman can create stained glass on glass with his own hands, provided, of course, that he chooses a technique that is available for execution, of which there are quite a lot in stained glass art. Nowadays, in specialized stores and art salons you can find everything you need to make stained glass paintings using modern simplified techniques, which are much easier to perform, unlike classical technology. This became possible thanks to modern developments and special materials that can very reliably imitate the “classics”.

A variety of stained glass styles and techniques accumulated gradually, taking into account the secrets of old masters and new established practices. Many are still used today, and they definitely need to be considered before deciding which option is best suited not only in terms of design, but also in terms of the complexity of the technological process itself.

To make stained glass, you can choose designs in various styles, both “covered with noble antiquity” and ultra-modern. Compositions in Gothic, Ancient Egyptian, and Indian styles do not lose popularity. Abstract, Art Nouveau, Art Deco styles, and others corresponding to different eras and cultures, art movements find their supporters.

Each of the existing styles is capable of displaying the commitment of the owner of an apartment or house to a particular era with its plot, shapes and color scheme. All stained glass styles have their own requirements and canons that must be observed when performing them.

For a long time, the ideal option was considered to be a style with classic designs, where the choice of subjects and materials was limited. In connection with the development of art and the advent of new techniques, the possibilities for making stained glass have expanded significantly. Therefore, instead of the calm plots of the classics, expressive colors and drawings of modernity and abstraction began to be used more and more actively.

Quite often, masters in their works use several styles and techniques that can revive and complement each other, which helps to organically fit stained glass into the overall decor of the house.

Sometimes a stained glass window for a separate room is chosen as setting the style for the entire interior, while the rest of the room’s objects are only its addition and frame. Thus, the stained glass picture becomes the center of the interior.

If the plans of the residents of the house include decorating rooms in different styles, then stained glass windows can combine them into one composition. Glass paintings that decorate windows can create an amazing special color and light atmosphere that will change depending on the intensity of natural light. In addition, false windows with artificial lighting, which are often installed in bathrooms or on staircase landings, can also be decorated with stained glass.

However, before choosing a stained glass style, you need to decide on the technique in which it will be made.

Stained glass techniques

As mentioned above, there are many techniques for making stained glass, but several of them can be called basic:

Classical technique

The classical technique of stained glass has been known since the Middle Ages. The paintings made from it consist of glass fragments of different shades and installed in metal frames.

In terms of manufacturing, this option can be called the most difficult, and is usually trusted to be completed only by experienced professional craftsmen. To make such a picture you will need a large number of different tools designed for cutting and processing glass, welding or welding metal frames, as well as a well-lit, spacious, separate workplace. All this is worth purchasing and equipping only if you plan to practice this art professionally, since a special tool is not cheap. And, to be honest, work skills are also required at a very high level.

English or film technique

The film or English technique consists of applying a special self-adhesive film of various colors to the glass, according to a pre-prepared pattern.

Stained glass made using film technique

Each of the fragments in such a stained glass window, after gluing them, is framed with lead tape. If the glass with this stained glass window is installed in, then lead tape is glued to both sides. Lead tape does not require soldering; its cut ends are laid overlapping each other and rolled with a roller.

The advantage of film technology is that all work is carried out on solid glass, which does not require cutting into individual fragments and their complex processing.

In addition, stained glass using the English technique can be made much faster than the classic one, and even a novice craftsman can make it on his own with a careful approach.

"Fusing"

"Fusing" cannot be called new technology production of stained glass paintings, since it has been used since glass began to be produced, of course, having undergone significant improvements over time.

Very beautiful and original stained glass windows made using fusing technology

The name of the technique “fusing” comes from English word“fusion”, which translates as mixing or alloy. This is exactly the process that happens to glass during the manufacture of stained glass using this method. It will not be possible to make stained glass using this technique at home, since its production requires special equipment for melting glass, which can only be achieved at very high temperatures.

Stained glass made using this method has no seams and does not require the use of metal frames.

The process of creating a stained glass picture occurs as follows:

• On transparent glass of the required size, laid on a prepared sheet with a pattern, a mosaic of pieces of colored glass is laid out on a special glue.
• Next, this blank is sent to a special furnace, where the process of sintering individual glass fragments with each other and with the base on which they are laid out takes place.

The fusing technology consists of gradually heating the mosaic and simmering it at a temperature of 800 degrees - this is precisely the level necessary for melting and sintering individual pieces of glass together. Melting occurs under strict control, since the moment the product is ready cannot be missed, otherwise the process of changing the structure of the material will begin - devitrification, in which the glass crystallizes.

• When the structure of the stained glass window becomes homogeneous, the stained glass window must be cooled.
• Then another annealing is carried out, that is, the glass is heated and then cooled.
• “Fusing” includes not only melting and sintering, but also glass processing techniques during these processes. In addition, if the desired result is not achieved, then postforming is performed, which consists of another heating and giving the stained glass a convex or curved shape.

At the end of the work, you get a glass picture, made of glass of different shades, securely and hermetically sealed together. This technique is used to make stained glass windows made in various styles, as it gives almost unlimited possibilities in creating paintings of any subject.

"Tiffany"

The Tiffany stained glass technique is carried out in a way somewhat similar to the classical one. In order to make a picture using this technique, a life-size template drawing is prepared in two copies, one of which is cut into separate fragments, from which pieces of glass of different colors will be cut.

In many ways, the Tiffany technique repeats the “classics”

The edges of the glass pieces are processed and ground smooth. Then, each of the stained glass elements is edged with copper tape, the ends of which are soldered together. The next step is to connect the framed fragments together according to the pattern using tin soldering carried out with a powerful soldering iron.

Unlike the classical one, the Tiffany technique uses only copper tape, which is much more flexible and stable than a lead profile and is more easily amenable to a given deformation, with subsequent retention of shape, which allows it to border even small parts of a stained glass window. Thanks to this, the Tiffany technique is used not only for stained glass windows, but also for the manufacture of many different interior elements, for example, lampshades for table lamps and chandeliers.

Shade table lamp, made using the Tiffany technique

All parts “clad” in a copper frame, after soldering the ends of the profile, are rolled with a roller before joining into the overall composition, during which the tape compresses the glass fragment.

Video: a master working on a stained glass window using the Tiffany technique

Sandblasting technology

Sandblasting stained-glass windows are made using special equipment that supplies a stream of air with sand under high pressure.

Creating superimposed paintings using this technique is done as follows:

• A transparent sheet of glass is prepared, onto the surface of which a design stencil is applied and secured.
• Open areas of the stencil are treated with sand supplied by a thin stream under high pressure. As a result of such exposure, the surface loses its transparency and becomes matte.
• After completion of the work, the stencil is removed from the glass, and an exquisite airy pattern remains on the surface.

This type of stained glass does not require the installation of frames and complex shaped glass cutting, as well as gluing film. But, as already mentioned, a prerequisite is the presence of special equipment. If desired, of course, you can replace the stream of sand with sandpaper, but in this case you will have to make it from thin metal, since cardboard is a fragile material, it will begin to wear out and will not allow you to reproduce the exact design. In addition, manual work will take a lot of time, and the quality and depth of drawing will still not be the same.

Casting technique

This infrequently used stained glass technique can be called one of the most complex, since each of the mosaic fragments is blown or cast from colored glass by hand. In the process of such piece-by-piece manufacturing, glass fragments are given a special designed texture, which contributes to certain optical effects, the play of refraction of light rays, which creates the effect of pronounced volume. The fragments are then assembled into a single picture using mortars and metal reinforcement.

Stained glass made using cast technique

Making stained glass using this technique at home is very problematic, since it requires, in addition to equipment, very specific technological glass processing skills. As a rule, such stained glass windows are original works of art, and are practically not used in private house-building practice.

Etching technique

The technique of creating a relief pattern on glass by etching involves the use of hydrofluoric acid, which has the ability to have a destructive effect on the main component of the glass mass - silicon dioxide.

When acid is applied to glass, its layers begin to break down. In order for the substance to melt only those areas of the glass sheet that are needed, a stencil made of acid-resistant material is applied. Stencils allow you to create clear single-layer or multi-layer designs on a glass surface, with pronounced relief of varying depths. The more layers there are in the relief, the more voluminous it is. In this case, the acid is applied to different parts of the picture as many times as the number of layers suggested by the selected pattern. Single-layer stained glass is done in one step, and in this case, applying acid simply clouds the glass, making it dull and rough.

It’s not worth taking on such work on your own without practice. Working with such a strong acid requires extreme caution, as it can easily damage the skin or mucous membranes. All operations are carried out in special protective equipment, in a well-ventilated non-residential premises, suitably equipped.

Painted stained glass

The good thing about the painted stained glass technique is that it can imitate any other method of making a glass mosaic picture.

One of the most accessible techniques is glass painting.

The process of working on it includes several stages:

• Making a design and preparing glass of the required size.
• The glass is placed on the table on top of the stained glass pattern laid out.
• According to the drawing, an outline is applied to the glass using paint of the selected shade. Black is usually the color chosen as it makes the elements of the design stand out perfectly. After completing this stage, the paint should be allowed to dry thoroughly.
• The outlined fragments of stained glass are painted with stained glass paints.

How to create a stained glass picture yourself using this technique will be shown below in the instruction table. In the meantime, we can say that this is one of the most accessible technologies at home, and you can even involve a child in making such a painting - he will be very interested. And the costs, compared to all other techniques, are minimal.

Contour pouring technique

The poured technique, just like the painted technique, can imitate any method of making stained glass, and with its help you can create a picture in a wide variety of styles. This technology is also great for beginners who decide to decorate their home with stained glass. In order to reproduce any image on glass, it is necessary to prepare a drawing and stained glass paints, which are usually produced in tubes with a special spout - for ease of application and distribution of the composition over the surface.

Pattern made using contour filling technique

The first thing to do is to transfer the outline of the drawing onto the glass using the tracing method. Before carrying out the following work, you must wait until the contour paint has completely dried.

After this, the space inside the outline is filled with paint of the desired color. If necessary, it is distributed using a brush. The paint is poured in a fairly thick, even layer of 1÷1.5 mm, and as it dries it should give a smooth surface without artistic strokes. If, according to the drawing, individual fragments of the stained glass window need to be given volume with the help of color, then it is necessary to prepare in advance paint of different shades, which is poured onto the glass, according to the sample drawing.

It should be noted that there are other techniques for making stained glass. Many of them include two or even more basic technologies, so they can be safely called combined. For example, to simplify the painted or poured method, colored film is used instead of paints. That is, first, according to the design, a film is glued onto the glass, leaving a gap of 3–5 mm between the fragments. Then this gap is filled with black stained glass paint, which creates the edging of individual fragments of the overall mosaic.

Check out, as well as photos and videos in a special publication on our portal.

Stained glass styles

Stained glass windows can be made in various styles, but when choosing a design based on this criterion, you should, of course, rely on the design of the entire interior in order to create a harmonious combination of all elements.

Stained glass styles can have many subtypes, and because of this, it is sometimes quite difficult to determine the most correct classification of the design. In this case, it is recommended to rely on the features of the images, color scheme and canonical characteristics.

Antique style

The basis of the ancient style is the ancient Greek and Roman origins. The uniqueness and harmony of the elements of these trends have not lost popularity in our time, and, in addition, many details of later styles were borrowed from antiquity.

Stained glass windows made in this style usually consist of numerous fragments, and can be made using any of the techniques described above. If a decision is made to adhere to a certain direction, then an important condition is compliance characteristic features, inherent in this particular style:

• The drawing should resemble an antique mosaic containing Greek ornamental elements - these are drawings of amphoras, nymphs, columns, landscapes with architectural structures, having details characteristic of buildings of that time - colonnades, porticoes, triangular pediments, etc.
• Quite often, when making stained glass windows of this style, mixed techniques are used, using not only glass fragments, but also film, ceramics, metal and mother-of-pearl.
• Antique motifs are used in stained glass windows installed as false windows in the bathroom, when decorating interior glass, and, of course, for window openings with natural lighting.

Ancient Egyptian style

This interior and stained glass style has never gone out of fashion since Napoleon brought it to European culture after his campaign in Egypt. Stained glass in the ancient Egyptian style has not undergone any significant changes since that time, maintaining the geometry of the pattern and warm colors.

• The colors characteristic of the ancient Egyptian style are warm ocher, sand, coral, orange and yellow shades, which go well with brown, rich ultramarine blue, cobalt, khaki and grass green, especially when framed in black.
• This style uses traditional ancient Egyptian ornaments, scenes from the life of the pharaohs, images of sacred animals, as well as famous hieroglyphs.
• For stained glass in this direction, poured, Tiffany, fusing, film, and also classical techniques are suitable.

The Egyptian style of stained glass is usually used to decorate bathrooms, balconies or kitchens, and quite rarely for living rooms or bedrooms, due to the oversaturation of details.

Gothic style

The Gothic style arose in Western Europe during the Middle Ages, and actively developed in the XII ÷ XV centuries. Over time, it became more complex, enriched with various elements and shades.

"Cold" Gothic style

• In the initial stage of the emergence of the style, stained glass windows depicted mainly paintings with religious motifs, and later figures of symbolic animals, knightly tournaments, and hunting scenes began to appear.
• Gothic stained glass comes in deep, rich hues such as dark green, burgundy, ultramarine, magenta, violet and black.
• Fragments of the painting are framed in gold, patina or blackened copper, everything that can emphasize that this element of the interior belongs to Gothic motifs.
• The most optimal techniques for making stained glass in the Gothic style are poured, painted, Tiffany, classic, film, and combined.

It must be said that for an ordinary apartment this style of interior design will be gloomy and will not bring comfort and warmth to the house, since it can most likely be attributed to a cold, monumental movement in art. The Gothic style is more suitable for large reception halls and the high ceilings of Catholic churches.

Indian style

Indian stained glass originated many centuries ago as a decoration for window openings in wealthy Indian homes. Later, like many other styles, it was enriched and somewhat diluted with subjects and motifs from other countries, but on the whole it retained its originality.

• Indian style is distinguished by the brightness of colors that lift the mood - these are orange-red, bright yellow and green, light blue and other shades that seem to be illuminated by the sun from outside. Stained glass may contain a large amount of gilding.
• Indian stained glass windows include images of deities against the backdrop of water and lush plant or mountain landscapes. The most popular element of Indian floral patterns is the so-called paisley - “paisley”, which is present in almost any picture of this style.

Classic designs in Indian style - paisley or, otherwise, “paisley”

• To create this stained glass window, the classic Tiffany technique of painting and filling is used.

Art Nouveau style

Art Nouveau firmly came into fashion after an art exhibition held in Paris in 1900, and has probably forever established itself among the most popular styles, both in art and in architectural design.

The main idea of ​​this style is the primacy of form, that is, the postulate “form is more important than content” is taken as a basis.

• Art Nouveau style is characterized by smooth lines, lightness, sophistication and sophistication. This could be a marine or plant theme, as well as a light romantic theme.

Stained glass windows made in the Art Nouveau style often have forged gratings entwined with dense green vegetation interspersed with flowers, or flowerpots with bouquets of unusual shapes installed in them.

• Stained glass windows of this style are made in pastel, soothing colors, and therefore fit perfectly into any interior design, becoming its center and creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort in the room.
• Stained glass can be made using Tiffany, pouring, film or painting techniques.

Art Deco style

Over time, complex intricate interweavings of plants, forged trellises, various scenes from the life of knights and religious themes were replaced by simpler forms of modern styles. One of them, which many people liked, is the art deco style.

Art Deco - the predominance of large details and symmetry of the design

This trend appeared in the 20s of the last century, and was especially popular until the 60s. Today, the art deco style is also quite often used in the design of modern apartments and houses.

• The designs of this stained glass style are distinguished by the symmetry of the arrangement of elements, clear lines and pure colors, perfectly matched to each other, as well as a repeating pattern.
• The Art Deco style is performed using any of the techniques described above, since the design usually consists of large fragments that can be cut out of glass or film, and also etched with a special acid or filled with paint.

Stained glass in abstract style

Abstractionism, as a recognized style, appeared in 1910, after the watercolors of French artists presented at the exhibition. Over time, it entered European fashion, and it began to be used for the manufacture of various elements for interior decoration, including stained glass.

The abstract style can be chosen for various interior solutions, as it combines several areas of stained glass art.

• Abstract art is distinguished by the large number of regular and irregularly shaped fragments, brightness and richness of colors, which give expression to the entire room where the artistic panel is located.
• Stained glass in an abstract style is made using painting, fusing, film and pouring techniques.

Having chosen a technique suitable for execution, it is quite possible to make a stained glass window of this style yourself - there are simply no limits to imagination here.

Children's stained glass

The most interesting and touching is the children's stained glass style. The variety of themes and motifs of children's motives gives great scope for the imagination of parents, and it is quite possible to involve children in the process of sketch preparation. Most often, such stained glass windows depict characters from favorite fairy tales and cartoons, as well as stylized animals.

• Children's stained glass should have clear shapes so that the child can immediately see what is depicted on it. You need to think through the drawing so that it consists of smooth lines that can make the picture soft and calm, but at the same time bright, attracting attention.
• Stained glass can be placed on a clock or a mirror built into a closet, but you should not place it on a window, especially if the apartment is located above the first floor. A window is a high-danger zone, and a child will even unconsciously be drawn to a beautiful bright image.

• In addition, for safety reasons, you need to carefully consider the technique of painting. It should not consist of separate pieces of glass, even if they are very well fastened together. Sharp relief protrusions must be completely eliminated.

The picture should not be boring and uninteresting. For children's stained glass, film, poured and painted techniques are well suited, and even better if the picture is applied to safe synthetic glass.

Find out how in a special publication on our portal.

Making stained glass with your own hands

The simplest of all the techniques for making stained glass at home, which are accessible to beginners, are painted and film. It is these techniques that will be discussed in more detail.

Creating a stained glass window using glass painting technique

Illustration
	The first step is to take measurements of the glass on which the stained glass will be applied. Based on these dimensions, you need to choose the finished drawing you like or, if you have enough experience, do it yourself. If the finished drawing is taken from the Internet, then it is printed on ordinary A-4 sheets in any graphics editor, using the multi-page printing function (for example, the Publisher application included in the MS Office package is great for this). Then the fragments are joined and glued along the lines using tape to recreate a single pattern.
	In this case, the drawing is done independently, by hand. At the same time, it is important to ensure that each of its details is well highlighted and the boundaries are drawn.
	Glass is placed perfectly evenly on the finished sketch, onto which the entire drawing will be transferred. Glass must be thoroughly degreased using alcohol or ammonia solutions.
	After cleaning the glass surface, the applied compounds are thoroughly wiped, since the “working area” should not only be free of greasy stains, but also be absolutely dry.
	The next step is to trace all the contours of the design on the glass according to the template placed underneath it. These borders are usually applied with black paint, as it highlights all the fragments well and makes the final drawing clearer. For stained glass, as mentioned above, special stained glass paints are used. The applied contour must dry completely, otherwise you can ruin all the work done by accidentally smearing the paint when performing further operations.
	After the borders have dried, they move on to coloring the finished drawing. This process can be compared to a children's coloring book, where each of the elements must acquire its own color. This stage of making stained glass must be approached creatively, but also with extreme care. This tinting is usually applied with thin brushes - previously applied and dried borders will not allow the paints to spread.
	Colors should be as pure, bright as possible, and be in harmony with each other. If you intend to give the drawing a special picturesqueness, then darker or lighter shades are best applied later, after the main, base colors have dried. Otherwise, it may turn out to be dirty, and all the work will go down the drain.
	The finished stained glass window should look aesthetically pleasing and neat, and harmonize well with the interior style. Glass decorated in this way can be carefully inserted into the frame of, for example, an interior door, or used to decorate furniture doors.

Creating stained glass using film technology

This technique for making stained glass involves the use of film and lead tape. Typically, for film technology, stylized designs with clear shapes are chosen - art deco style. With a careful approach, it is probably even easier to create such a stained glass window than using paints.

Illustration	Brief description of the operation performed
	Most often, a drawing for stained glass using this technique is printed on a printer using the already mentioned graphic applications. This way you can get precise and clear lines and shapes of all, even the smallest fragments. If the work is being done for the first time, you should not take an overly complex design with intricate elements. The lines of the drawing should have a width of about 4÷4.5 mm.
	After printing the drawing on sheets, they are carefully glued together. All lines must match perfectly, as the aesthetics of the final result depends on this.
	The next step is to thoroughly clean the glass prepared to size from dust and dirt and degrease it on the side on which it will be applied to the design. Then the glass is wiped dry.
	Dry glass is placed on a prefabricated sheet with a pattern. It is important to immediately achieve the required evenness of laying the stack relative to the graphic design, so that the work does not go skewed relative to the “canvas”. It is advisable to ensure reliable fixation of the glass so that accidental movement does not occur during further operations. It is recommended to use small pieces of thin double-sided tape (shown by arrows) for this purpose, placing them in places where they will not interfere with the stained glass pattern.
	To work, you need to prepare such special tools as a roller, a squeegee with a felt pad, a narrow knife with removable blades, a clamp, scissors, and metal rulers of different lengths. The materials you will need are stained glass self-adhesive film of different colors and a special lead self-adhesive stained glass tape of a suitable shade.
	The glass placed on the drawing must be thoroughly degreased again on the outside with an alcohol solution, and then wiped dry with clean microfiber, which is guaranteed not to leave small fibers on the surface.
	Next, work with the film begins. Experts recommend using high-quality English-made film “RegaLead” for installation, but it is several times more expensive than products from other companies. Inexpensive films may not be resistant to ultraviolet rays, so they can fade very quickly if the stained glass window is located on the sunny side.
	The film is cut for each element separately according to its size. Here, of course, the best option would be to organize desktop lighting from below. If this is not possible, then you will have to measure each fragment with a ruler and adjust it in place.
	The film is measured and cut out a little larger than the fragment of the design, and its edges are adjusted after gluing.
	Before gluing each fragment, the place where it will be applied is thoroughly wiped (degreased) and dried with a microfiber cloth.
	Next, if the fragment is a strip, then the backing begins to be removed from the cut piece of film, from one edge. The edge of the part is fixed to the glass, smoothing it with a squeegee with a felt nozzle. The other edge of the fragment is stretched, which makes it possible to position it exactly along the lines of the drawing.
	Then, with a clear and quick movement, the strip of film is pressed against the glass with a squeegee. This operation must be carried out quickly so that even the slightest dust does not have time to get onto the surface of the glass, otherwise the effect of neatness may be irretrievably lost. Excess film along the edges of the glass is cut off with a sharp knife. The glue on the back of the film sets almost immediately, but not at full strength, so it is possible to correct unevenness if it was accidentally created.
	This photo clearly shows two parallel strips glued to the glass. One of them has already been cut exactly, according to the ruler, and the second has just been glued, and its edges have not yet been processed.
	The film should be 1.5÷2 mm on the black stripe. A long ruler is laid exactly along this line, a sharp knife is drawn along it, and the excess part of the film is carefully removed. Later in the process, the black lines of the design will be covered with lead tape, which is applied last.
	If a speck of dust does get under the film, you must try to remove it. To do this, carefully lift the edge of the fragment, peeling it off the glass, and use the tip of a knife to carefully remove the speck of dust so as not to damage the material. It is strictly forbidden to carry out this operation with your fingers, since fingerprints will certainly remain on the adhesive layer of the film and will be clearly visible in the light. Having removed the speck of dust, the film is again stretched and pressed using a squeegee.
	This illustration clearly shows two finished fragments of the future stained glass window.
	Further, the work continues according to the same principle. If the design element has a curved configuration, then its adjustment is carried out on the spot.
	To do this, a larger fragment of the film is cut out, and after gluing it is carefully cut off. extra areas exactly along the black lines of the drawing. Here, of course, it is very important to have a “full hand” so that the manipulations with the knife are carefully verified, and the edges turn out smooth, exactly according to the laid template.
	If the intended drawing contains several small fragments of different colors nearby, then you can proceed in two ways. In the first case, the entire multi-colored area is covered with a film of the same color, and then the excess fragments are cut out. This way you can significantly gain in the speed of manufacturing stained glass, but lose in material consumption.
	You can do it differently, in a more professional way, when each fragment of the picture is covered with a separate piece of film and cut out separately. Here, material savings are achieved, but the work, especially in the absence of experience, will take more time, and in addition, there is a high probability of making a mistake. Therefore, if the second method of work is chosen, slightly larger fragments of film are glued to individual elements.
	The cuts are also made along the black lines of the template drawing. In no case should you allow overlaps between the films of neighboring fragments, since when the temperature rises, the material tends to expand, and if there is no gap between the individual elements of the mosaic pattern, deformation may appear on the surface. And over time, the film will completely begin to peel off from the glass. Therefore, there should be a gap of 1.5÷2 mm between the fragments.
	The remaining parts of the design are cut out and fixed on the glass using the same technique.
	In the illustration you can clearly see how elements with complex patterns are glued.
	When all the color fragments are filled with film, proceed to gluing the lead tape. This framing material can be of different colors - ribbon is produced in gold, silver, copper with a variety of intermediate shades. Lead tape can be matte or glossy, it is plastic, as it consists of 98÷99% pure lead, so it easily takes any given shape, and it is very comfortable to work with. The lower part of this stained glass material is also covered with a special adhesive composition, which has excellent adhesion to glass.
	Each piece of stained glass is framed with ribbon. When joining several lines of tape at one point, the edges must be overlapped, that is, if the cuts extend to the edge of the entire composition, then they are overlapped by a segment framing the entire edge. In the middle part of the picture, the edges of the tape should also overlap each other. After gluing, the tape is carefully rolled on top with a roller.
	Straight lines of stained glass, framed with lead tape, must be aligned using a ruler and squeegee - this process must be carried out immediately, while the glue is still wet.
	A simple way to align straight lines allows you to make them perfectly straight. To do this, apply a ruler to the strip of glued tape, set it exactly according to the template, and then draw the angle or edge of a squeegee between the ruler and the tape, which will finally install the tape in the given place.
	As mentioned above, each of the edges of the tape should overlap with the next glued segment. For example, if a round area with fragments is being pasted over, then for this purpose a single piece is taken and, after laying out the circle, one edge of the tape is overlapped with the other, and then rolled with a roller. The cut edges must be closed so that during cleaning you do not accidentally touch or peel off any of them. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully think in advance which fragment to glue where and when. You need to try to plan the sequence of gluing in such a way that at the end of the work, only one open edge of the tape remains.
	After this, all the glued tape is rolled using a roller.
	Next, using a special clamp, which is usually included in the set of accessories for creating stained glass windows, you need to go through all the joints, pressing the strips of tape against each other. This is done to avoid the formation of cracks with the subsequent entry of moisture or detergents into them during operation.
	The tape is pressed on both sides of the joint, which, by the way, gives the overall composition the naturalness of a real stained glass window - the visual effect of a “forged joint” is obtained. Complete sealing of joints and overlaps will ensure the longest service life of the created stained glass window.
	After this, the stained glass window must be carefully treated with a detergent, but it must be applied not to glass with a finished pattern, but to a microfiber cloth. The stained glass window is wiped very carefully, in the direction only along the lead tapes, in order to avoid their shifting, since the glue has not yet completely polymerized.
	Next, you can remove the template pattern from under the glass.
	The finished stained glass window should have straight lines and be very neat. Only in this case will it look impressive and become a full-fledged decoration of the room, an eye-catching center of interior design.

If one of the simple techniques is chosen for manufacturing, then you can master them quite quickly. However, before you start making the final version of the stained glass window, you need to practice a little in order to “get your hand” at least a little. Perhaps this creative process can captivate someone so much that after completing one painting on glass, a novice master will want to do this work professionally.