Tips for glass painting on craft foil

Craft foil can be transformed with a dab of glass paint. The process is really simple and you have the advantage of being able to choose from two very different types of paints:Enamel paints  and Glass paints.

Enamel paints
Enamel paints are those more commonly used on plastic toy assembly kits. The most well know firm producing enamel paints is Humbrol. The advantage of Humbrol paints is that they come in tiny metal pots in a wide range of colours.

Brushes need to be cleaned with white spirit. Enamel paint used on foil produces a dull, flat and opaque finish. Leave for 24 hours to dry completely.

There is a metal work technique called Cloisonné which uses enamel paint within raised lines. Cloisonné comes from the French ‘cloison’ meaning partition. Cloisonné work on pewter, copper and foil involves the laying in of enamel into defined small outlined areas – such as those found in geometric designs. Enamel paint produces a cheaper effect. Paint can either be dropped in with a paint brush or an orange stick.

Glass paints
Glass paints are those specially produced for painting on glass. Glass paints can also be used for painting ceramics and metal. There are a number of manufacturers supplying 2 types of glass paint carrier. These are:

Water based
Methylated based

The water based paints are not so vibrant but have the advantage of being washable.

1. Methylated based paints are more vivid in color but they do give off fumes and must be carefully disposed of following local health and safety guidelines.
2.  Keep the lids on as long as possible and work in a ventilated room.
3. Make sure the room is continually aired to allow the fumes to dissipate.
4.  Don’t remain in the room after working, if possible.
5.  If you have asthma or bronchial difficulties be aware of any possible breathing difficulties through exposure to methylated fumes.

Painting tips

1. The paints can be taken straight from the pot or mixed on a dish.
2. Always start with the lighter color and slowly add the darker color drop by drop.
3. Mix enough to complete your project.
4. Load your brush and push the paint into the space.
5. While working Cloisonné you will only need a small mouth of paint.
6. Rather than leaving a flat finish, let the paint lie like a mound on the surface of the foil
7. This helps to create the slightly raised textural effect associated with Cloisonné work.

The Craft Teacher has a selection of glass painting projects for you to try your hand.  the joy of kits such as these (lead circles, tiles, cards) is that once the initial project is completed you still have lots of methylated glass paint left over to use on other  projects.  It's a great way to get going with glass painting.  They also have craft foil kits (key rings/brooches, cards and coasters).  When you've finished making the project up you can then enhance your work with the glass paints left over in your glass painting kit. Craft foil is a great materials to work with and you can get wonderful results in a short time.

Buying kits is an easy way into learning new skills and what's more they give you the opportunity to use up supplies. 

There's nothing worse that buying a kit that leaves you with masses left over that you can't use.  Purchasing two different kits enables you to  learn two different crafts and to be able to use the materials from one on the other.

Using these tips you'll soon have mastered this decorative additional skills. Craft foil and glass paints were just meant for one another!

craft foil embossed foil glass paint glass painting handmade card metal foil
Written by Geraldine Jozefiak
Craft Expert and Demonstrator

For your FREE 28 page guide 'Never Run Out of Things To Write In Greeting Cards Again' Click Here