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I've tried several different kinds of artists brushes with unsatisfactory results…the paint does show any brush strokes nor does it spread & the brush gets embedded w/the wet paint & is ruined. I've tried different brands & different thicknesses of paint. Am I using the wrong brushes, the wrong paint thickness, the wrong brand of paint or what?

pkinnick

What kind of paint are you using? How are you mixing it? What about the result is unacceptable?

Various brands: Thompson Enamel Opaque for hot glass blowing & Transparent for stained & hot glass; Unique Glass Colors, Artisan; & one brand that's just labeled Glass Painting. I've also tried Delphi powders. I have used both CMC & A14 & tried various thickness in trying to achieve a spreadable, but not runny consistency. If not runny, it seems to clump in the brush & stay there 'til brush is washed. Then, though clean,the brush will not re turn to it's original shape & is ruined. So, I'd like to know if I should use another kind of brush or paint of if I am using the brush, paint or liquid incorrectly.

pkinnick wrote:Various brands: Thompson Enamel Opaque for hot glass blowing & Transparent for stained & hot glass; Unique Glass Colors, Artisan; & one brand that's just labeled Glass Painting. I've also tried Delphi powders. I have used both CMC & A14 & tried various thickness in trying to achieve a spreadable, but not runny consistency. If not runny, it seems to clump in the brush & stay there 'til brush is washed. Then, though clean,the brush will not re turn to it's original shape & is ruined. So, I'd like to know if I should use another kind of brush or paint of if I am using the brush, paint or liquid incorrectly.

Thompson enamels are lousy for painting. Unique can be ok, but not great either. Haven't used the Delphi powders, and don't know who they source them from.

We use (and sell -- so there's a bias here) Ferro Sunshine Enamels, which in our experience are the best for fusing purposes. My wife Jody tried quite a few enamels before settling on Sunshine for her work. We recommend mixing the enamels with A14, though some folks use squeegee oil. We use a regular decent quality paintbrush, but in any case I don't think your problem is the brush, I think it's the products you're using.

More on the Sunshine product here: http://www.warmglass.org/enamels/sunshine We also sell a 20-plus page pdf guide to using the enamels (it's a chapter from Jody's book, Printmaking Techniques on Glass, which covers using enamels in great detail).

Many of the pieces on Jody's website are done with Sunshine enamels: http://jodydannerwalker.com/portfolio.htm

Thanks for your suggestions. I will try them.

When I first learned how to paint on glass from Albin Elskus, he used a particular set of brushes. Later on, I read Reyntiens, where he included a detailed set of instructions for painting on glass. He used a completely different set of brushes. Then one day, I saw an exhibition of Picasso's work from his personal collection. In this group was a large ceramic bowl with a painting on it, if I recall right, it was a bull. The bull was a simple line drawing made with zero regard to the rules of china painting. The brush strokes were completely visible, with dark and light areas. Most china painters go to great extents to make these strokes look uniform. Of course, Picasso didn't care, and most certainly, neither did I when looking at the marvelous painted bowl.

So, the lesson is, you can use any brush you like. Each will yield a different look. I have done interesting work with crumpled paper or with my fingers running through wet paint. The hand of an experienced artist, simply shows in the finished work. I have certainly found brushes that I like best for the look I want for my work. The rise in popularity of faux painting has provided some really cool brushes easily available. My most important brush is the most expensive I own, which is the Hamilton's 4" badger blender. I am so thrilled that I bought this in 1981, for something like $250. It is a powerful tool. I also have a 3" that cost a lot less, and does the same thing only smaller.

Disclaimer: I suck at painting on glass (or anything else) and I have limited experience . However, let's not let that stop me .

One of the things that was a true revelation to me, and which is beginning to help improve my "technique" is that when you are painting on glass, unless you've sandblasted or otherwise etched the surface to build up a little "tooth", you cannot use regular painting techniques -- otherwise, you get uneven or little coverage and brush strokes. It's more about pooling the paint onto the glass, and pushing and pulling it into place with whatever tool you are using. Unique Glass Color offers a video on how to use their paints -- if you haven't viewed it, it is worthwhile.

Sometimes I use a brush, I've used a bamboo skewer, and last night, I was using a palette knife to move UNC into place. I kept asking the question "what is the secret to painting on glass" and never got the simple answer that you often aren't painting on the glass, but moving the paint around on the surface. Maybe this was obvious to everyone else, but not to me!

Dana W.

Nice to have advice from some Linked In colleagues. My problem with brushes is that the bristles become embedded w/a thick clump of the grains in the paint, making it impossible to use the brush & ruining it as well. I ordered a few colors of the enamel Brad Walker recommended & look forward to trying them. This may enable me to use my brushes.
Roughing up the glass surface to make paint adhere is news to me. That's intriguing. I also use many other "tools" to apply paint. That works pretty well. It's just the brushes that don't work for me. Though i've heard of them, I've never seen or used a Badger brush, much less owned one. I'll have to make do w/hobby Lobby offerings!
I'm far from a perfectionist, too impatient. It's abstracts & emphasizing color that I like. I really appreciate your suggestions & ideas & will take them to heart. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'm open to any ideas you or anyone has for me.

[quote="pkinnick"] My problem with brushes is that the bristles become embedded w/a thick clump of the grains in the paint, making it impossible to use the brush & ruining it as well. '

Your paint need to be smooth. It seems you haven't successfully eliminated the lumps in the paint. If your paint is lumpy use a muller or a palette knife, or some other implement. If you apply it lumpily you run the risk of it burning off in the kiln. Jen