Perfection in Spun Glass Figurines

The beauty and perfection in spun glass figurines will intrigue and amaze those of all ages. Its fine blown glass has delicate threading and chiseled detail. Spun glass is also known as lace glass or lace crystal. You can find Spun glass figurines in a variety of flowers, animals, boats, angels, people, carousels and much more. The only limitation to this art is the imagination of the artist.

Spun glass figurines are a great gift idea and can be an expression of how you feel. A spun glass heart can show the love you have for that special someone, while a delicate spun glass figurine rose can be a lasting symbol of love or friendship. A detailed butterfly can represent the beauty of life unfolding in front of one's eyes and the mystical and magical fairies and dragons can mesmerize you. No matter what your interests you will find what you are looking for in this amazing perfection of glass.

In every Spun glass figurine the smooth curves, detailed and quality work will impress the youngest to the oldest. You can't go wrong giving a spun glass figurine as a gift for any occasion. These breathtaking figurines are a great way to bring awe inspiring beauty and grace to your home. Spun glass figurines are masterful pieces of art ranging in size, shape, and color. You will find some of the larger and harder pieces to make being sold primarily in galleries and specialty shops.

Have you ever thought of collecting something? You can have collections of anything from guitar pictures to baseball cards to figurines. Collecting is a fun and exciting hobby and what better item to collect then Spun glass figurines. The wide variety and sizes gives you an ever changing and thought provoking collection.

If your into Antiques, again Spun glass is for you. Antiques speak about the past, they provide you a small glimpse into the past providing you what a text book cannot. Giving you an intimate look into the decades long past. Antique Spun glass is not always the easiest to find, but with some time and effort you can add a piece of history to your collection or your home that speaks volumes about the people it once belonged to.

The most popular size of Spun glass figurines are the small ones, they are normally very affordable. Many companies will allow you to custom order your pieces. Allowing you to personalize your gift making it even more precious to that special someone, Mom, child etc. So when looking for that special gift, next sophisticated piece for you collection, or an eye catching addition to your decor, think Spun glass figurines there is no better artistic expression of glass.

Liz Thomas is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about perfection in spun glass figurines visit Collectable Figurines for current articles and discussions.

Hand Painting on Inside on Glass

Recently I discovered an exciting art form. It is called Reverse Hand Painting or NeQwa. The word NeQwa in the Chinese language means hand painting on inside on glass. This particular form of art began centuries ago in China. Originally the delicate painting was done on the inside of "snuff" bottles or other small glass containers. These objects were commissioned by Emperors and persons of high station and became quite valuable treasures.

This rare art form is still accomplished today in a studio in China where talented and patient artists paint designs created by North American and English artists in blown glass ornaments of various shapes and sizes. Famous artists such as Stewart Sherwood, Jim Shore, Susan Winget, G. DeBrekht, and Peggy Abrams create original designs for the paintings, many of the designs are limited editions for distributions to collectors and others who have no doubt received the ornaments as gifts and appreciated there untimely beauty.

The art form itself is most interesting. The glass is mouth blown using a special high grade of glass tubing. These pieces are etched on the inside to insure that when painted the paint will adhere to the glass. However, the etching makes it extremely difficult for the artist to see the brush inside and determine exactly where the paint stokes will be placed. Hence the need for both talent and patience!

The artist uses a combination of ink and paint, including acrylics, water colors and oils to create these delicate works of art. The first step is to develop the set of brushes needed to paint a particular design. These brushes are hand crafted by the artist to the exact size needed, some no larger than a single hair on your head. Unlike traditional painting, the artist begins with the foreground and then finally the background. The outline is first and painstakingly done with Chines ink and blended to create the dimensional effect of the finished product. Then the artist begins the first color. Each color is allowed to dry before continuing to the next color, and finally the colors are blended. Sometimes an ornament can be completed in hours and sometimes it takes several days.

The finished product is signed by the artist and authenticated by the company that commissioned it to assure that it is the real thing. It is then packaged in a lovely velour box which is satin lined and a certificate of authentication is placed inside. Some of the limited editions are packaged in leather boxes. The sets, which are comprised of ornaments not sold separately, are usually presented in finished wooden boxes with satin lining.

These objects of art are a delight to own and to receive as gifts. I personally have begun my collections starting with the Santa Collection and various Angels.

Battle of the Giants: Murano Glass Vs Bohemian Glass

Today, glass is created in many countries of the world, and many countries are developing reputation for outstanding glass art. But, for many centuries, there were two places that were producing great glass art - Murano in Italy, and several places in Bohemia, what is today Czech Republic.

Murano glass
Small Italian island Murano, in the Venetian lagoon, was the center of the world glass production from the 14th century. Famous for their blown glass of exquisite shapes and forms, Murano artists developed many new techniques that are used even today, such as crystalline glass, enameled glass (smalto), glass with threads of gold (aventurine), multicolored (millefiori), milk (lattimo), to mention just a few.

Murano glass was also famous for its colors. The ways to color was by using different coloring agents and chemicals. A coloring agent was ground, mixed and then melted with the glass. Many of these coloring agents are still used today.

For many centuries, Murano was the center of a lucrative export trade in dinnerware, chandeliers and mirrors. The techniques Venetian glass makers used were kept in great secrecy, so Murano managed to retain the monopoly in glass making for centuries. What made Murano so different in composition from all others was that the local quartz pebbles were almost pure silica, ground into very fine sand. Combined with soda ash from the Levant, Murano makers were able to produce glass of exceptional quality. It helped that they held a monopoly for the soda ash import.

Bohemian glass
What makes Bohemian glass or bohemian crystal so different from Murano is that it is decorated by grinding, the technique called cold-worked glass. This technique was used in Bohemia (today Czech Republic) and Silesia (today Poland) since the 13th century. Many of the best Bohemian glass makes were originally trained in Venice, which was already the world center for the making.

Bohemian glass owes its original popularity to the gem faceting fashion that swept Europe in the 14th century. Glass was faceted to imitate real gems in response to the demand for affordable, but nice looking jewelry. This created a large cottage industry for making beads, which are even today the main products coming from this region. The technique for making Bohemian beads involved pressing melted glass into a mold, allowing the production of thousands of identical copies. The glass beads were then coated by gold or bronze metal finishes.

Competition between Bohemian and Murano makers had always been fierce, in spite the fact that they produced very different glass art objects, using very different techniques. Murano was always famous for its unique glass making techniques, for blown glass and for objects made by hand, even when it came to glass beads.

The Bohemian glass was cold-worked crystal glass decorated by grinding, and the beads were and are still, made by a machine. This division is extended to the contemporary glass lovers who are also clearly divided to those who prefer one kind of glass over other, particularly when it comes to glass beads. Fortunately for both Murano and Czech bead makers, there are enough of fans of both kinds, to allow thriving beads industry, and thriving beads making hobby all over the world.

Stained Glass Artists: Four Names Every Stained Glass Artisan or Enthusiast Should Know

Almost any stained glass gallery is likely to contain one or more works inspired by the artists described below. These stained glass artists not only had their own signature style, but also changed the world of stained glass art in some significant way. Five artists who had a lasting influence on the highly specialized art form known as stained glass are:

    Louis Comfort Tiffany: He is undoubtedly one of the most well known of all the artists. He used individual pieces of glass to develop windows and mosaics that had the same level of detail as paintings. Tiffany also developed the copper foil method, which allowed pieces of art to be produced in three dimensions. "Tiffany-style" lampshades are widely recognized examples of his signature style. Notable projects he completed include a commission for the White House and windows for the John the Baptiste church in Boston.
    Frank Lloyd Wright: An architect and a designer, Frank Lloyd Wright is best known for his prairie-style designs. Hallmarks of his works are clean, straight lines, simple geometric shapes (most often squares and rectangles), and vibrant, bold colors. His style is highly appealing to those who prefer looks that are more contemporary.
    John La Farge: Born in 1835, La Farge was a writer and a painter in addition to being one of history's most important stained glass artists. One of his most impressive contributions was his invention of opalescent glass. Now widely used by artisans, opalescent glass is special because it contains more than one color. Many of La Farge's masterpieces are displayed in churches, including the Trinity Church in Boston and St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University.
    Harry Clarke: This Dublin-born artist was an important part of the country's arts and crafts movement. He produced well over 100 works that were both religious and secular in nature. One of the defining features of Clarke's works was his use of rich colors, blues in particular. He created the windows for the Honan Chapel in Cork as well as a window inspired by one of John Keats's poems: "The Eve of St. Agnes".

When browsing a gallery, it might not always be immediately obvious which artist inspired a certain piece. Today's artists have the advantage of being able to incorporate several styles and influences into a single work. This has allowed them to craft windows and other architectural features that combine elements from the past with their own original ideas and techniques.

Stained Glass Inc. has hundreds of design options for your next stained glass project. Visit Stained Glass Art to learn more.

Woven Glass

Woven Glass is unique and singular in its appeal. Constructed of compatible pieces of glass, these elements are then assembled, as one would imagine a fine tapestry would be. Taking into consideration colors, thickness and texture of both the "warp and weft" glass, the glass artist creates a truly multi-faceted sculpture which allows the viewer the freedom and pleasure of exploration, calling for ones hand to make contact with this movement of colored glass as it floats in its seemingly impossible form.

The true magic in creating this type of glass art lays heavily in the knowledge of kiln management. There must be willingness by the artist to recycle numerous works before acquiring a level of insight and control over the medium. And even with this information well documented, one is never to sure what will emerge from out of the kiln after a firing schedule is completed. Trail and error periods in an artists coming to terms with this direction of glass art is par for the course and very meaningful in the reaching a high standard of gallery and museum quality works of art.

A new interest is coming alive in Woven Glass Art, as gallery owners and art dealers survey the glass landscape for the few gifted orators of this style of glasswork.

And although many people working in the realm of blowing and fusing glass have tried their hand at weaving, very few have attained the mastery, understanding and patience required to produce these wonders of art.

For more information, please visit:

Using Mirrors As Art

Finding the perfect piece of artwork for a room can be an almighty task and it can take months to find something that matches the styling, colours and features of the décor and can also be extremely expensive. This is why many people are now considering the use of mirrors as an alternative.

Manufacturers have picked up on this trend and rather than simply designing mirrors for their functional capabilities, are now using reflective glass to create stunning pieces of art. Coming in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, the benefits of using mirrors as art are phenomenal. Not only do they reflect the colours of the room, but they also glisten and sparkle if positioned in a way that catches light. They can even create the illusion of space, making a room appear larger than it actually is.

Mirrors as art can take many different forms. It may be that the amounts of actual reflect glass used is minimal and it is the frame that creates the masterpiece. Much like a painting or photograph, the correct mounting or framing of a mirror can completely transform the way it appears on your wall.

In complete contrast the mirror may not have a frame at all and could be made from multiple glass fragments (known as multi-facet mirrors). These mirrors are created as works of art from the off-set and can often be commissioned as one off bespoke pieces using a combination of coloured glass as well as plain reflective glass.

As mirrors are essentially pieces of glass, they can even be cut so that stunning bevels and patterns are left on the surface of the glass. Meaning it is possible to personalise a mirror with a certain image or name, a concept that has been used in advertising, most commonly recognised on the walls of public houses where the brewer has had their brand etched on the glass.

With so much detail and crafting involved, you could be forgiven for assuming that this type of artwork would be costly, but rest assured that as it becomes increasing popular and manufacturers are able to produce large batch orders, in many cases they are cheaper than more traditional center pieces.

The beauty of using a mirror as art though is that the main image is constantly changing as the reflection changes - contemporary art at its greatest!

Most people use art to create a feature or focal point within their room, for example using paintings, canvases or photographs in a hallway, on the wall above a bed, over a fireplace or mantle piece and this is exactly where a mirror could take pride of place. Much like 'photo walls' and more conventional art forms, mirrors do not have to be used in isolation and using more than one mirror can create intrigue or a larger display.
What's more, if you decide to change the colour scheme of your room, in the majority of cases you would need to buy new artwork to match, whereas with a mirror it would simply reflect the new pallet.

So, next time you redecorate; why not consider using mirrors as art. With a huge variety of shapes, sizes and 'topics', it could make finding that perfect piece of artwork a whole lot easier and is certainly more accessible.

There is a huge selection of large, glass framed and over sized mirrors available at .

Or why not consider a row of smaller mirrors, this will have the same reflective effect as a large mirror but may suit your decor better.

Stained Glass Art - How to Paint a Christmas Tree Bauble (Bulb) Ornament

Hand painted Christmas bauble ornaments can be an exciting craft project for the entire family. They can be for your family's tree or be used as gifts from your children to their relatives. They are inexpensive and are not difficult to make.

The supplies can be purchased from a local craft store. You will need are as follows:

• Clear Plastic Baubles split in half preferred, but can use whole ones
• Christmas patterns small enough to fit on Bauble
• Small Bag of Artificial Snow
• Tracing Paper
• Tape
• Pencil, Soft
• Scissors
• Black Outline Pen
• Glass Paints (colors of your choice)
• Small Paint Brush

1) Select the Christmas pattern to be used and trace as many patterns as you wish to paint. Use the tracing paper over the pattern and trace all of the lines using the sharp soft pencil.

2) For the Bauble halves, roughly cut each traced pattern out using scissors and make slits along the sides so the pattern will fit inside the concave side of the Bauble. For the full sphere bauble cut on the line of the pattern so the pattern can be drawn around.

3) If you have a two piece bauble, split into two halves. Select one half and place the pattern inside of it at the location you want. Tape it in position. If a you can only find a spherical bauble, place the traced pattern on the outside surface of the bauble in the position you want and tape it in place.

4) For the Bauble half, carefully support the underneath side of the Bauble with your hand while drawing on the plastic over the line on the pattern using the Black Outliner. Wait for the Outliner to dry before continuing. For the spherical Bauble, draw around the pattern onto the plastic surface of the Bauble with a China Marker. After the Chine Marker has dried remove the taped on pattern. Now, go over these lines with the Black Outliner and wait for it to dry.

5) For the Bauble half, after the Black Outliner has dried remove the taped on pattern from the inside of the Bauble.

6) Select the color of paint and carefully paint the inside of the pattern, rotating the Bauble to keep the paint area horizontal, which will keep the paint from accumulating in one area. When the paint of the main area is dry, continue painting the other designs by starting the central area and moving to the Back Outline.

7) A nice added touch is to write across the bottom of the Bauble the date and the name of the painter.

8) The two halves of the Bauble can be snapped together to make a spherical Bauble. The spherical Bauble can be partially or completely filled with artificial snow through the attachment hole on the top.

9) The wire top hook can be now placed in the Bauble and it is ready for hanging on a Christmas tree.

By hanging a professionally hand painted stained glass art piece on your wall or in your window you can create a bright and cheerful decoration for your home. When hung in the window, it will allow you and others to be reminded of beauty it brings to your room. By making an online order today, you can get these stained glass art panels faster and with more buying convenient. Doing one room at a time, it will allow you to create a unique room atmosphere for that room.

Bob McLemore invites you to view Stained Glass Merchant online store at StainedGlassMerchant.com/ [http://shop.stainedglassmerchant.com/] for Stained Glass Art for window and wall hangings, which has nine subject categories of stained glass art for windows or walls. Stained Glass Christmas Art for windows or walls can be found at Christmas Painted Glass Art. Information can be received by signing into his Guess Book at StainedGlassMerchant.com/Guestbook [http://www.stainedglassmerchant.com/Guestbook.php] where you can ask questions about the Stained Glass Art products.

Stained Glass Art - How to Cheaply Hang Pictures or Decorations on Your Wall

Hanging pictures, art works, or decorations on your walls is normally done by purchasing picture hangers. These can be as simple as a nail and hook, or more complicated hangers like the multiple nails for one hook. Hangers that do not make holes in the wall are also available such as: adhesives tabs with a hook attached, adhesive Velcro attachments or the newer 3M Command picture hooks. All of these solutions for hanging a your decoration have a place. Unfortunately, the methods developed for attaching decorations without holes can get very expensive.

I have been using a hanging solution that my family has used for years to hang pictures, and since I am an engineer by education, I have produced a table to show you the loads this system will hold. These loads incorporate a 4:1 safety factor, which means that the hanging device will actually hold four times as much as shown in the table, but you should stick with the load value in the table.

The hanging solution that I have used is the common hand sewing needle. A package of sewing needles of different sizes (gauges) can be purchased at any craft or yardage store. You may even have some laying-around your house. Hand sewing needles are made from alloyed steel and have been heat-treated to increase their strength. Since the needle is harden steel, eye protection should be worn when driving the needle into the wall in case the eye end of the needle breaks off.

The location of the hanger should be marked on the wall so the decoration will be level and in the correct place. This location should take into account the distance from the decorations hanging location to its top edge. The needle can be held with a pair of pliers, then be driven into the wall on a slight upwards angle. This angle will allow the portion of the needle sticking out of the wall to hold whatever is hung on it and keep it next to the wall. The minimum stick out of the needle should be 1/4", which will be enough to engage the decoration that is being hung.

Needles are easily driven in walls where gypsum board (drywall) is used without having to look for the stud. Most houses built after 1975 have gypsum board walls. When the needle is removed it leaves a very small hole, which can be easily filled if need be. The safe load for a decoration versus the needle gauge is shown in Table I.

Table I - Needle Gauge No. Versus Safe Shear Load

• Gauge No. - 30, Diameter (in) = 0.0100, Load (lbs) = 1
• Gauge No. - 29, Diameter (in) = 0.0113, Load (lbs) = 2
• Gauge No. - 28, Diameter (in) = 0.0129, Load (lbs) = 2
• Gauge No. - 27, Diameter (in) = 0.0142, Load (lbs) = 3
• Gauge No. - 26, Diameter (in) = 0.0159, Load (lbs) = 4
• Gauge No. - 25, Diameter (in) = 0.0179, Load (lbs) = 5
• Gauge No. - 24, Diameter (in) = 0.0201, Load (lbs) = 6
• Gauge No. - 23, Diameter (in) = 0.0226, Load (lbs) = 7
• Gauge No. - 22, Diameter (in) = 0.0253, Load (lbs) = 9
• Gauge No. - 21, Diameter (in) = 0.0258, Load (lbs) = 11
• Gauge No. - 20, Diameter (in) = 0.0320, Load (lbs) = 14
• Gauge No. - 19, Diameter (in) = 0.0359, Load (lbs) = 18
• Gauge No. - 18, Diameter (in) = 0.0403, Load (lbs) = 23

As can be seen from Table I, a 25 or lower gauge needle will safely carry a 5 lb shear load, which is load applied to the needle when driven into the wall for hanging a decoration. If your decoration has less weight such as Holiday Bows, Ribbons, small plastic decorations, etc., then a higher gauge needle will do the job.

Hanging a stained glass art piece on your wall or in your window you can create a bright and cheerful decoration for your home. When hung in the window, it will allow you and others to be reminded of beauty it brings to your room. It is the most exciting way to turn your plain windows without a view into a dream view. By making an online order today, you can get these stained glass art panels faster and with more buying convenient. Doing one room at a time will allow you to create a unique room atmosphere for each room.

Bob McLemore invites you to view Stained Glass Merchant online store at StainedGlassMerchant.com/ [http://shop.stainedglassmerchant.com/] for Stained Glass Art for window and wall hangings, which has ten subject categories of stained glass art for windows or walls. Various categories of Stained Glass Art for windows or walls. can be found at Stained Glass Art. Information can be received by signing into his Guess Book at StainedGlassMerchant.com/Guestbook [http://www.stainedglassmerchant.com/Guestbook.php] where you can ask questions about the Stained Glass Art products.

Modern Sculptures and Their Place in the Art World Today

Modern sculptures, as an art form, are witnessing significant divergence from the ancient theory of sculptures. During the primordial times, sculptures were either made of ivory or clay. A few centuries later, basalt, diorite, sandstone and alabaster were employed. Superior quality sculptures and inlays were created with precious stones, such as copper, gold and silver. Today, however, a variety of media is used for making the most innovative modern art sculptures.

Types of Material Used in Modern Sculpture

Had Michelangelo learnt the art of modern sculpture, he would not have had to struggle for years in the Sistine Chapel. This is because modern sculptures are technology friendly and therefore, less time consuming. These days, sculptures are mainly created by carving, welding, casting or molding a variety of materials. The most common materials used in modern art sculpture are:

Scrap Metal - 'Scrap' of course being recyclable materials which are left-over from vehicles and buildings. The modern term for this art form is 'scraptures'. It is a difficult form of art which requires an in-depth knowledge of mechanics. A small number of artists pursue it as a career and although still wanting in popularity, this art form is definitely very innovative.

Living Sculpture - This type of sculpture involves creating artwork with living or recently harvested plants. Generally, three techniques of living sculpture are created: topiary, tree shaping and tree sculpture. Topiary involves pruning plants and training them over frames. Tree shaping requires designing trees, and tree sculpture involves creating art with newly cut branches. With horticultural dexterity, one can create breathtakingly sculptured gardens and parks.

Glass Sculptures - Glass sculptures are an extremely popular form of artwork created by a number of methods such as glassblowing, glass fusing and glass casting. Glass sculptures do not aim at highlighting the delicate quality of glass, rather to aspire to creating innovative designs using them. Certain renowned glass sculptors are William Morris, Steven Weinberg, Christopher Ries and Marvin Lipofsky.

Another unique sculptural form is the renewable energy sculpture. The term suggests its function - it generates power from renewable sources like, solar, geothermal, tidal and wind energy. Such sculptures fulfill utilitarian, aesthetic as well as cultural purposes. Artists such as Sarah Hall, Patrick Marold and Julian H. Scaff are regarded as the pioneers of renewable energy sculptures. They believe that aesthetics of art forms must be inextricably connected with their ecological functions.

Challenging Concepts of Modern Sculptures

Modern sculpture has introduced a variety of new concepts and terms to the conventional theory of sculpture. One of these is the concept of readymade sculpture. This term, coined by Marcel Duchamp, refers to the art created from common objects with some modifications to them, making it an art form. An example of this is Duchamp's urinal, which he named "Fountain", or a bottle drying rack named "Bottle Rack". Another concept in modern art sculpture is the installation art, an artistic genre of site-specific, three-dimensional form designed to alter the perception of a particular space. Such works of art find their place in museums and galleries.

Aestheticism may not be inherent in modern sculptural concepts, yet these qualify as art because they are creative constructions.

Retro Party Glass

Glass art is an innovative way to create eye catching art that can be used in everyday life. Glass art involves the fusing of glass sheets to create plates, bowls, serving dishes, and everything glass. It involves very careful use of glass and kiln work to create these magnificent pieces, so not just every common person could sit down and create a piece.

I was having a themed dinner party that required more than a trip down to the store to pick up paper plates imprinted with the theme of the evening. I needed to acquire plates and bowls that had an obscure look. It was a retro dinner party that was dating back to the 1940's and 1950's. The colors of the party were olive green and burnt orange with the classic deco appeal. Thus the search began to find elegant yet classic looking serveware that could be used for this dinner party. I had heard about glass art and thought maybe if I searched for a glass fuser in my area that I might find one via the internet. I Googled and found a glass fuser that would make custom pieces. I spoke with the artist and finally got exactly what I was looking for. It took time for the artist to create my serveware for the dinner party, but they were perfect and could be used over and over for years to come. Glass fused art is hand washable or dish washer safe. I got to choose the perfect colors for the party and had many of the guests comment on how eye catching the plates were.

Now that the dinner party ended, I can use these glass plates for hangable art for the walls in my home or use them as spectacular coffee table art. The glass fuser did an excellent job and I will be using their services again in the future.

The Wonderful Art of Stained Glass

Stained glass art is a great expression of human art and sense of beauty. Human intelligence and creativeness is behind the stunning and magnificent beauty, variety and elegance of stained glass art. Stained glass art can have simple and prosaic patterns and can also have complex patterns that require creativity and skill on the part of the artist. Stained glass art is used widely at home, office or in public places to enrich the appearance and general atmosphere of the place.

Stained glass art is not so new to this world. It has a history of nearly a thousand years. Even when stained glass art was in its infancy, awesome and breathtaking art was produced by the combining creative artwork with technical skills. In those years stained glass art was used only in churches. Its purpose was mainly ecclesiastical. Many new styles and varieties of stained glass art have come into use over the years. Most of them are based on philosophical or religious themes.

One cannot escape from employing art in their stained glass work if they want it to be attractive and worth making a difference to the surroundings. If there are pieces of stained glass artwork already in the place and new additions are to be made, it would be the best to base the new stained glass pieces on the already available ones. This way it would blend and give the art work uniformity and continuity. When it comes to stained glass art, it is a good idea to take the help of professional glass artists. They can provide proper advice on selecting the right art forms and textures to give a stunning effect. Stained glass art can be thematic. Themes can be chosen so that they fit into the environment. There are some artists and studios that offer traditional art forms as well.

There are many forms of stained glass art. Stained glass art comes in numerous varieties. Many techniques are employed to create this wide variety. Some of these techniques are faceting, etching, slumping and overlay techniques. Based on the themes, stained glass art falls under many categories with ecclesiastical and modern architectural forms being the most famous and widely used forms. There are many studios and companies that specialize in custom art creation. Employing custom art to reflect a good theme can make a stained glass project unique. It can add an air of elegance to the place where it is kept.

Dave Roth runs a stained glass supplies site which features morton stained glass products and tools. He also continues to run a retail location outside Chicago. He has been teaching stained glass for over 10 years and has completed work for schools, churches, businesses, as well as personal residences.

Glass Painting Designs, Truly Art On Glass

Art in whatever shape or form is truly inspirational. Glass painting designs in particular, whether they are simply a rose on a hand painted glass or a magnificent colored pane in a church, with the combination of light and the color, produce a beauty that leaves people mesmerized and often silent in reflection.

This amazing and artistic way of designing is much easier to do than most people would think. The number of people painting craft is steadily increasing. Beginners learn this fascinating art by doing simple designs and soon progress to more advanced forms, Glass painting has been referred to affectionately as art on this material and this description is very appropriate items produced are highly valued and cherished for many years.

The beauty of this artistic work is its versatility. All that is required is something to paint on and something to paint on that article. Anything made from glass can be painted, and with so many choices of designs available, painted glass is an ideal gift for any occasion.

Many online websites provide design templates. These templates are easily transferrable from website simply by printing them and using them under the article that is to be painted. Alternatively, it is easy for a design to be copied onto paper from any source that is not protected by copy right. Themes can be based on animals, plants, history or depict religious images. Anything that has meaning can be developed into a shape or drawing.

Many people have started a small home business simply by starting the craft as a personal hobby and then discovering that their relatives and friends request their own glassware be painted. From small beginnings, these painting styles can become more complicated as artists skill develops. Some improve so much that in a short time, their designs are known internationally and they begin to receive commissions from around the world for their art work.

For mastering the techniques for a painter it may seem tempting to buy a book on techniques and read it until he or she has the confidence to take a design and the item and then work hard to produce the perfect finished piece. Experience painters however will suggest the opposite is the best approach. Throw away the books, choose a design and a glass plate or bowl and just begin to paint.

The resulting painting may not be the most beautiful example of these paintings that the painter will ever paint. It is more likely to be the worst example painted. However, it is a beginning and it will serve a purpose in the future, to show the painter how quickly they can progress in their chosen craft. Beautiful designs will follow with patience and practice.

Over time, a painter might have a preference for designing different templates, or they may still like to continue to experiment with new ideas, but one thing is certain. All of these paint styles are bound to produce a sense of awe in both the artist and the one who enjoys the artwork.

Do you love painting as much as I do? I'm Amin and I enjoy creating glass painting designs in my spare time. If you want to learn more about my hobby head over to my website http://www.glass-painting-designs.com.

The Art of Glasses

Glassware, traditional cocktail glasses have sloping sides and a stem, making ihem ideal for drinks served without ice or large, elaborate fruit garnishes. But you may also find ones with a rounded cup, reminiscent of the popular style in the twenties and thirties and jmilar to champagne glasses. These come in a variety of sizes, with capacity ranging from 3 to 6 ounces. The large ones are most suited drinks made with cream or fruit juice, and the smaller ones are porlect for dry aperitifs, other cocktails, and very alcoholic after dinner drinks. By the way, the thinner a cocktail glass is, the quicker it will chill in the refrigerator.

Rocks glasses are short, with thick bottoms, and are also known as low ball glasses. They are so named because they are most commonly used for serving measures of straight liquor poured "on the rocks." Old-fashioned glasses, another type of short glass with a bump in the bottom, are used for the eponymous classic blended whiskey and sweet vermouth drink.

Both these glasses are interchangeable and no in a range of sizes, holding 4 to 10 ounces, while a double old-fashioned glass has a capacity of about 16 ounces. Tall straight highball glasses, holding about 8 ounces, are the ones used for a spirits plus a mixer, such as scotch and soda or bourbon and water. Collins glasses are similar but larger and often frosted, and used for the sweetened gin and soda drink called a Tom Collins.

Balloon-shaped brandy snifters range in size from 5 ounces, small enough to cradle in the palm of one hand, to ones for holding up to 3 cups of liquid. Whatever size you choose, however, the most important feature is the narrow opening. This allows the drinker to sniff the drink's concentrated aroma easily. Always remember only to pour a thin layer of brandy in the bottom of the glass--it should never be filled above one-quarter full.

An American-style champagne glass, also called a champagne saucer or a coupe, or a tall, European-style champagne flute, is the natural choice for serving any sparkling wine or aperitifs prepared with champagne or sparkling wine, such as Kir Royale. Perhaps the most useful glasses to have behind the bar are wine glasses. The ideal white wine glass is thin with a tall stem and is tulip shaped, which bellies at the bottom and narrows at the top. The red wine glass has a shorter stem and is also slightly tulip shaped. The burgundy glass is the most versatile of the red wine glasses. It can, in fact, be used to serve beer and red aperitifs, too.

A useful, inexpensive, everyday wine glass, with a balloon shape, which is suitable for serving either red or white wine and numerous cocktails, is called the Paris goblet. Note that when pouring wine, a big glass should be filled only half full, and a small glass only two-thirds full. Dessert wines or brandies are served in a small, tulip-shaped liqueur glass, or in a liqueur saucer. You can also use the liqueur.

In serve fruit spirits and fruit eaux-de-vie. Dessert wine glasses ,iKo appropriate for serving fortified wines, as well as flips,, and other short drinks. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic punches are popular for celebratory gatherings and other large parties. Punch glasses are squat glasses lerized by having a handle and wide opening, but not a stem. If you are serving a hot punch, grog, or mulled wine be sure to use a h oof glass with a handle that will not become too hot to hold.

In addition to the above classic types of glassware, there is also a plethora of special glasses, such as the pousse-cafe glass for the famous layered cocktail, the flip glass, the sour glass, and novelty glasses for just about every occasion. But, as already mentioned, it is only worth acquiring all these glasses in the rarest of cases, because most drinks can be served in glasses you already own, even if the style is not quite right.

If, for example, you already have white wine glasses, I use them for fizzes and crustas. If your champagne flutes are not too narrow then you can also serve flips, frappes, and daisies in them, kinds of tall glass or Collins glasses have versatile uses and, for example, are ideal for highballs, fizzes, and milkshakes. Carafes or pitchers also have a place in your home bar. They are good for pouring fruit and vegetable juices, cream, and milk.

The Art of Glass Making

In a previous article I discussed the affect that shape and size have on the taste of wine. Now we need to consider the composition and construction of glass and ultimately crystal stemware.

Glass has been made for thousands of years from products like sand, limestone, and naturally occurring potassium products. It was used for making beads and dishes as well as fine crystal, the art of which has been around for many years.

Leaded crystal was first developed in the 17th Century in England when an Englishman named George Ravenscroft pioneered the addition of lead oxide to produce lead crystal. This oxide makes the glass more malleable and able to be hand cut or blown. It also gives glass a greater density making it more brilliant and clear and giving a sparkle when light shines on it.

Today the quantity of lead oxide in lead crystal glasses is carefully regulated up to a maximum of 33% but typically from 24-32%. The more lead, the more sparkle providing the familiar "ping" when glasses are clinked, a characteristic not shown in plain glassware. Since lead crystal is softer, it is more delicate and easily scratched. Manufacturing crystal glass requires a lot of effort and is labor intensive. Less expensive crystal glasses made by machines do not deliver the quality in design or sparkle that a skilled glassblower can produce.

Glass melts at temperatures around 2600F. The glassblower places an appropriate amount of this molten glass on the end of a long narrow tube-like pipe. Using his lungs he blows air into this pipe. Great skill and vision are now needed. By controlling the air flow from his lungs and twisting and turning the pipe using other specials tools, he molds the glass into the desired shape as the glass cools. If it fails to live up to the expected quality or design, the glass is broken and and returned to the foundry. Hence the high cost of hand made lead crystal stemware.

Despite the glassblower's great skill, the finest crystal may have minute air bubbles or other marks. Although they are technically flaws, they are actually a means of identifying mouth or hand blown crystal. Crystal stemware has a coarser and more porous surface than ordinary glassware. This surface helps release and thus enhance the special aromas of wine which makes lead crystal glasses much sought after by wine drinkers.

The three parts of a wine glass are the bowl into which the wine is poured, the stem to hold the glass, and the base on which is stands. The function of the base is obvious. The stem prevents the warmth of one's hand from heating the wine, particularly white wines. It is the bowl that affects the pleasures of wine drinking the most. Even the construction of the lip or rim of the bowl can have an affect. There are typically two types of rim, one rolled and one cut. The cut rim is flat and sharp allowing the wine to flow smoothly from the bowl to the tongue. The rolled rim flares outward to retain the bouquet inside the glass. Although the shape of the glass was discussed previously, it is important to stress the need to pour only three to four ounces when drinking. This leaves room for the wine to breathe and to allow the nose to recognize the differing bouquets. It also allows one to appreciate and determine the color of the wine.

Michael Evans was born in England, worked as Brewer for Guinness. Moved to U.S.A. in 1992. Since then has been in sales and distribution of imported and domestic beers and wine.

Now lives in Texas, semi retired. Interests include golf, reading and crossword puzzles. Maintains web site on crystal stemware and enjoys cooking and slurping wine.

Glass Mosaic Tile Art - Mosaic Glass Cutters

Making wonderful glass mosaic tile art is easy! Let me show you how.

Wheeled glass cutters are essential for creating glass mosaics. I use it to cut and shape vitreous glass and stained glass. It can also be used to cut smalti. The wheeled cutters make cleaner cuts than tile nippers. The two carbide wheels (or steel, if you buy cheap cutters) are fixed in position. Instead of scoring and breaking, the wheels apply even pressure to the top and bottom sides of the glass, causing it to fracture along the line of the wheels.

The wheels are replaceable and eventually go dull, but not before several thousand cuts. Each wheel is held in place by a setscrew (usually an Allen screw). As your cuts become noticeably less clean than when the cutters were new, use an Allen wrench to loosen the screws, rotate each wheel about 1/8-inch, and then re-tighten the screws. By changing the location of where each wheel touches the glass, you have, in effect, replaced the blades. It'll take a long time and many cuts to use the entire circumference of the wheels, especially if they're carbide.

When the wheels finally do become dull, I suggest buying a whole new tool. The wheels make up the bulk of the tool's cost, so you won't save much by just buying replacement wheels. With a brand new tool, not only are the wheels sharp, but the rubber handle grips are new and clean (the rubber wears down and becomes dirty) and the spring is secured in-place. Every now and then, the spring breaks free from my cutters. The tool still works with a loose spring, but there's nothing to keep the handles from spreading too far apart. When that happens, the spring falls off. It's quite annoying to drop the spring, watch it bounce out of reach, and then have to get out of my chair to retrieve it. I tried soldering it permanently in place, but it didn't work because I couldn't get the metal hot enough. So, until I buy a new tool, the spring constantly falls off. Another reason to buy a new tool instead of just replacement wheels is, if you drop the tool, it's possible to knock the wheels out of alignment. So, after several projects when you think the wheels need replacing, I suggest buying a whole new tool.

When your new tool arrives, use an Allen wrench to tighten the screws as tight as possible. Then, use an engraver, paint, felt-tip marker (or whatever you have that makes a permanent mark) to make a small tick mark on the side of each wheel where it touches the glass when cutting (the two tick marks should be aligned opposite each other). I use an engraving tool for making the tick marks so I don't have to worry about paint or ink eventually rubbing off. After a few hundred cuts, loosen the screws, turn each wheel slightly, and then re tighten the screws. After several of these adjustments, the tick marks have gone full circle indicating that it's time to replace the tool (or just the wheels, if you prefer).

Don't be surprised if the wheels rotate by themselves. No matter how hard I crank down on those screws, it apparently isn't tight enough because the wheels slowly rotate by themselves from the pressure exerted during the cutting action. After several days and many cuts, I notice the tick marks are no longer aligned directly opposite each other, which indicates the wheels have rotated slightly. Maybe I'm a weakling, but I just can't get the screws tight enough to keep them static. However, that's okay with me because, if they turn by themselves, then I don't have to manually do it.

Remember, making mosaic art is easy. You can do it. Yes, you can!

Bill Enslen has created lovely mosaic art for 30 years. Please visit his website at Glass Mosaic Tile Art. While browsing his mosaic gallery, you may think, "I wish I could do that." Well, you can! It's easy, fun, and you don't even have to be artsy. Have you ever read a mosaic book or website and thought, "Okay, so now what?" or "How in the world am I supposed to do that?" or "What does that mean?" You're not alone. To solve this dilemma, Bill wrote a new eBook, Mosaic Pieces: Essentials for Beginner and Professional Mosaic Artists. It gives you step-by-step details for creating your own mosaic masterpieces. It's jam-packed with color photographs and illustrations that make the process extremely easy to understand. Visit his website and read the free sample chapters. Let him show you just how easy it is. With Bill's help, you can do it. Yes, you can!

Art Deco Glass - What Should I Look for? The Unique Colors, Shapes, Textures, and Artistic Elements

In Parts I and II of "Art Deco Pottery -- A User's Guide to Types and Style", I introduced the 3 different types of pottery and what aesthetic effects to expect when searching for your new favorite art deco piece.

I'd now like to focus on another favorite medium of art deco vases, GLASS. Here's what to search for when shopping:

COLORS

    Ambers, Topaz, Blues, Greens (earthy colors). Red, or "Ruby" glass shows up often. Cobalt blue glass is the most sought-after. I've seen a lot of "smoked glass" as well -- a really nice effect!

SHAPE and TEXTURE

    Like with art deco pottery, glass vases include geometric, angular, uniform, mathematical, graduated, and concentric designs. I always think of modern and simple, not over-designed. In other words, each art deco vase contains only one or two artistic themes that are repeated or reflected throughout the piece, and these themes never conflict -- only compliment each other.
    Polished and smoother, high gloss glass is the most popular. However, "crackled" glass looks to be a desired texture as well (see more info below).

ARTISTIC ELEMENTS

    Molded Glass -- artisans take fired glass (in its liquid or gel-like state) and mold it using special glassmaking tools, by blowing the glass to create shape, and then place the molded glass in water for cooling and setting. With different levels and sources of heat, several pieces can be fused together, creating patterns and textures. Some art deco artisans even "pinched" glass to make interior ridges.
    Acid Etching -- a process used by famous makers such as Lalique, Tiffany, and Daum (among others). Acid etching involves introducing a particular type of acid to a surface (metal, glass, etc) to cause a "reaction". This reaction affects everything it touches, so artists usually covered the parts they wanted to remain in the original color with a wax pattern. This creates different color and texture effects and leaves a design on the surface of the material.
    Glass "Crackling" -- an effect created by heating and reheating glass, then rolling it in small chunks of "fritted glass" and finally immersing the entire piece in water to cool. When completed, the vase appears to have thousands of tiny cracks, almost like a cobweb.

Art deco vases accentuate a smart, clean, modern decor and bring life to spaces large and small. Whether glass or pottery, metal or gold (yes, gold!), the individuality of each vase keeps my search going strong. I'm excited to continue my exploration!

I'd love to hear about and see your latest finds. Feel free to share!

I look forward to sharing my next post with you, when we'll learn how to clean these wonderful works of art without damaging or scratching your prized piece.

Diva Fiore, a budding opera singer from Texas, discovered a special affinity for all things Art Deco -- and specifically, Art Deco Vases -- after acquiring a beautiful glass vase from her beloved grandmother. Diva Fiore aims to explore the drama and significance of these artisan pieces as she begins to expand her own personal collection, and invites you to share in the stories and the search!

Transform Your Glassware Into Personalised Works of Art With Glass Etching Stencils!

Do you ever look at your glassware and wish you could make it different, more individual, more YOU? Well, with the huge range of exciting glass etching stencils available you can, and what's more, it's a cinch and takes less than 30 minutes! You can even design your own stencils and create different textures if you're feeling ultra artistic!

So - what do you have to do to create these permanent, unique works of glass art?

1. Gather your materials together.

You need:
glass etching creme,
latex/vinyl gloves,
sponge/foam brush,
squeegee (desirable but not essential),
glass etching stencils,
paper towels,
water,
safety glasses,
washing up liquid,
craft knife,
plastic carrier bag,
measuring tape and masking tape.

2. Clean your glass and place the stencil.

Thoroughly clean and dry your glass - either with detergent and water or window cleaner. Carefully remove the backing paper from the stencil and apply it - adhesive side down - to the glass. If your glassware is a vessel rather than flat sheet glass, you need to stop it from rolling around first - sticking it down with masking tape should suffice. Rub the stencil on with a squeegee or your thumb, and carefully peel off the backing, making sure that each piece of the stencil remains firmly on the glass. Mask the glass outside the stencil with masking tape to protect it - you don't want smears on your masterpiece!

3. Etch your glass.

This is your dressing up moment - put on your safety goggles and disposable gloves, shake the etching creme and apply a very thick coating to the exposed glass with the foam brush. It's important that it's an even thickness, and that you've covered all the corners and edges. Leave for 15 minutes, but stay around! The etching creme is a caustic substance and is dangerous to leave unattended.

4. Clean up.

Wipe the excess etching creme off with paper towels, making sure you have a plastic bag to tie them into before throwing them away. Wash the glass in warm water and washing up liquid. It's now safe to undress! Off with the goggles and gloves.

5. Remove the stencil.

Peel the stencil off the glass. It will come off in little pieces - you may need the craft knife to help you. Be warned; it's not reusable, so don't try to rescue the bits.

6. Dry 'n' admire!

Wash the glass for the final time - don't panic if your artwork disappears - dry it thoroughly and it will reappear for you to admire. It really is as simple as that.

Milly Frances is a self-confessed stained glass addict and glass etching fan. Discover more glass etching stencil techniques and subscribe to her FREE newsletter at:  You'll even receive 5 Glass Painting Tips into the bargain!

Art of Glass

Many groundbreaking discoveries came about by chance! In 1928, bacteriologist Alexander Fleming found a mould had contaminated one of his experiments. To his surprise, the mould turned out to be an antibacterial agent...and so, penicillin was born. Another remarkable creation is the multifaceted and challenging media of glass. By melting combinations of soda and sand, our ancestors found, upon letting the mixture cool, that its composition had changed into a transparent 'glassy' mass.

Trial-and-error resulted in one of the largest industries to date. The creation of glass continually evolved with additions of limestone, lead oxide and boric acid. Metals like cobalt, copper, manganese, gold and silver would change the consistency, clarity, colour weight and strength of glass.

The Venetians were the first to become world leaders in the manufacture of glass. The Crusades and the conquest of Constantinople in 1204 opened the way for extensive trade practices throughout the Eastern Mediterranean and in various Islamic territories. The result was an exchange of cultures - which allowed the Venetians to adopt the practices of the glass producers in these once foreign lands.

More than Conquerors

However, the Venetians were the ones that took the art of glassmaking to another level by adding minerals and pebbles to the glass silica. 'Oxides' were also added to the silica, creating a splendid multi-coloured array of glassware. The Venetians also received accolades for perfecting clear glass known as "cristallo." Nowhere was the art of glass more evident than on the islands of Murano.

Murano is a group of islands lying on the edge of the Adriatic Sea in the lagoon of Venice, about 3,000 meters north of the larger group of islands comprising the city of Venice. This was the glass centre of the Venetian industry, and glassmakers had the same status as "royalty," and had privileges denied to ordinary citizens; but in exchange for such titles and privileges, the government virtually imprisoned them in an attempt to protect the secrets of the glass trade. If one of these artisans tried to leave the island to practice their craft elsewhere, they were condemned to death for committing treason.

The Republic of Venice put this mandate into effect in order to isolate the master glassblowers, in order to keep control and monopolize the industry of glassmaking. There was a period in Venetian history when the glasshouses supposedly caught fire and the Venetian authorities moved all the glasshouses to the island of Murano. Whether the fires were rumour or fact; by moving all production to Murano, the Venetians not only protected Venice from the hazards of fire, but also insured government regulation and State protection, ensuring no competition from abroad. As a result, Murano glassmaking became the leading source for fine glass in Europe and a major source of trading income for the Republic of Venice.

The glass pieces of this period were ornate and considered luxury items. Through this ostentation, a strain of utilitarian design developed and mirrors started to appear which provided a high revenue turnover. Artisans competed amongst themselves, constantly developing more complex and intricate glassmaking techniques and continually pushing the boundaries of thought, images, use, and opinion.

Unlike any other material, glass envelopes the mystical qualities of color, hue, and light. Old world artisans have introduced us to glass that delights our senses with endless colour schemes, light refractions, and artistic designs.

The age-old tradition of innovation in glassmaking is still evident at Pilkington Glass. As well as being leaders in their field, they have kept their fingers on the pulse of technology with their product - Pilkington Activ™- the world’s first self-cleaning glass. Long described as an impossible dream, it uses natural light and rainwater to keep windows clearer and perfect looking – The art of glass is alive and well!

Handcrafted Art Deco Glass Wedding Favors

Apart from wedding pictures, the thing that will commemorate the love between you and your partner is the wedding favor that you will be handing out to your guests at the end of the reception. Let's face it; whenever your guest sees the gift or favor you gave them, they will remember your wedding reception, the food that was served, and even the way that you or your partner looked that day. So, make your thank-you-for-attending-my-wedding gift as special and unforgettable as your wedding. Choose handcrafted art deco glass favors. The good thing about this type of wedding keepsakes is that you can surely find one that will match the theme of your party.

Why are handcrafted art deco glass favors ideal for wedding giveaways? One of the reasons is that they are elegant and classy, particularly if their designs are inspired by colorful and precious glass beads inspired by the artisans from Murano, Italy. Also, these handcrafted glass favors, which come in key chains, wine stoppers or bottle openers, are useful and practical.

Most of the time, brides want their wedding to be elegant and traditional. If you are one of the people who wish to celebrate your special day in a white flowing wedding gown and a flower-filled church and reception, then you may want to choose a wedding favor that reflects sophistication and class. A beautifully designed art deco bottle stopper may be a good favor to give your friends and guests. In order to match your theme, just choose a wine stopper that has a classic design, such as butterfly, heart, swirl or swan. For the religious couple, a colorful handcrafted cross key chain may also come handy as a wedding gift.

Not all wedding parties are formal and done in hotels and big reception halls. Some are done in a small patch of garden, in a cruise ship, or inside an old building. If your wedding reception is in a beach, Las Vegas chapel, garden or on top of a mountain, then you need to choose handcrafted art deco glass favors that match your theme or party. For a beach theme reception, a bottle stopper that has a glass starfish or dolphin design is very appropriate. However, if your wedding reception is in a garden, glass grapes or crescent moon designs may be what you are looking for. Whatever glass wedding favor you choose, the most important thing is that you pick something that you think will reflect not only your personality but that of your partner as well.

Silhouette Art - Reverse Glass Painting - With Realism But Add A Touch Of Mystery

Silhouette art is what i would call a few of the reverse paintings on glass among the work I have done in the last few years, that seem to stand out among the others. The reason being that they are a little on the intense side, while at the same time, the background seems to melt away. Most, but not all of them, were done intentionally in this manner.

As an example for instruction, let us use the wolf on the skyline. There is not enough room in one article to explain the whole process, so I must assume you already know where to begin painting on glass. If not, please feel free to reference my previous articles with instructions. To begin the painting, you are going to put the last thing that stepped into the picture first. Remember that the finished work is on the reverse side of the glass, so that will be the first thing to draw attention to the eye. What this means is that you will paint in the wolf first. Do not forget that he is howling. This means, (not really, but in the line in which you must be thinking) that he will have drawn a deep breath of air into his lungs, and straightened his spine to the extreme. There is very little light coming from the sunset, so the colors you will use in the wolf will be very dark, and not articulate. In order to get these colors, you can use a very small amount of black, but use more of the deeper colors, such as the darker reds, greens and blues, mixed together. Draw in the wolf, with your paint brush. Make him close enough to the front (bottom) of the painting, to be the center of attraction.

This is not to say, though, that he wants to be in the center of the painting. Now, to get those stray hairs around the throat and shoulders of the wolf, leave just the very smallest amount of paint on the brush. You may even need to wipe some of it off the brush with a rag. You will almost lay your brush vertically on the glass, with the bristled end, pointing outward from the wolf. Most of the brush will lay inside the wolf's body, with only the tip ends of the bristles extending over the edge of the wolf. I usually hold my breath while doing this, sometimes for much too long! While rolling the brush along the edge of the wolf, remember to make the bristles of the brush point in the same direction as the wolf's hair would. There will also be some vagrant hairs around the tail and feet. Wolves need a lot of padding on the feet, so they are hairy. Proceed in the same manner. Now, extremely important, you will need to let this dry before the next step.

Now that the wolf is dry, it is time to paint the next thing that went into the painting. That would be the earth. The ground he is standing on. Your wolf being sky-lined, the ground will only come up to his feet, or only slightly beyond. Remember this is at sunset, so there is not much light. Use the same colors you had for the wolf with dark brown or burnt umber this time. You may want more green in there, too. Just the facts of the landscape here. Keep in mind that the wolf is the subject. Paint in all of the foreground. Let it dry. The let it dry process can take form a few hours to weeks, depending on what types of paint you are using.

Now the time has come for you to finish the painting! This is an exiting part of it! I understand that the angels get to paint the sunsets, so it will not hurt to get some practice! A sunset should have the warm colors of the day in it, so use some bright red, and yellow, and white. Put them in first, in large patches down near the horizon. They are going to dilute as you paint in the night sky, so do not worry if there seems to be too much color. Paint around the reds and yellows with deep grey and a little blue. Now, paint right over the colors too, with the grey and blue mixed together in the brush. It is important to do the sky in one step, so that it all blends, and there are not any sharp edges left. The sky is soft. Think about that. Then, let it dry.

Now, turn the pane of glass over, set it on a counter top. Step back and view the masterpiece! I like it!

To see the 'Wolf at Sunset', and others of my silhouette paintings, please visit my website page

There are also some more complete directions about reverse painting on glass, and other art forms to explore. As an alternative, you might just go to the galleries to explore some of the other reverse paintings on glass that I have done! Please, feel free. Of course there is no obligation. Continue creating!

Art Deco Glass

Art Deco glass may add an elegant touch to a variety of home decor. Desired for its sleek, geometric look, this glassware may be found in a virtually unlimited array of patterns, colors, and designs. Moreover, the characteristics of Art Deco glassware create visually pleasing accents wherever the owner chooses to display them.

Also referred to as Depression glass, it was at one time mass produced and sold at relatively affordable prices. Many patterns are predominantly translucent, but there are patterns found in an array of tints. When searching for particularly noteworthy designs, be sure to be on the lookout for the following glassware patterns.

Ruba Rombic is noted for its colorful, cubist appearance. Due in large part to its brief distribution run and bold, modern look, this pattern is quite rare and highly desired by glassware collectors. Moreover, these exquisite items are found in colors including silver, jade, amethyst opal, and smoky topaz.

American, or American-Clear, as it is also known, is a cubist-inspired pattern. Unveiled in 1915, it was a popular and best-selling pattern for several decades. When searching for these pieces, be sure not to confuse them with the similarly-styled Whitehall and Cube patterns.

Mayfair, a pattern produced from 1930 to the mid 1940s, is valued for its vertical lines, squared off handles and stair-step, curved edging. This delicate pattern may be found in colors including green, pink, and topaz. Some pieces may be etched with fern or floral designs.

Anchor Hocking's Manhattan pattern was first manufactured in 1938. This glassware is valued for its bold ridges that reflect the horizontal ridges found in the prevailing architecture of the era. Most commonly available in a clear design, it is also found in ruby, green, iridized, and pink.