If you follow arts and crafts trends on TikTok at all, then I know you've seen those viral "DIY faux stained glass" videos that have been making the rounds recently. Stained glass paints are a godsend for artistically gifted DIY crafters. I've watched talented TikTokers create faux stained glass art that would look just as home on an authentic Tiffany lamp as they would on a miniature IKEA greenhouse or an alcove window!
If you like the look of these faux stained glass pieces, but aren't artistically inclined, you might find the process of creating them from scratch intimidating. Luckily, DIY crafter Lisa shared a easy hack that makes creating faux stained glass art a breeze, along with some practical tips to ensure you get the best outcome!
Really skilled artists might be able to freehand their faux stained glass designs, but if you're not confident in that area, just print out a design and fill it in like a coloring book! Lisa ( @hyphygrandma ) printed out a stencil sheet designed for stained glass projects, but any similar template will do. Put it in a clear plastic sheet, make sure the design stays centered while you trace its outlines, and fill it in!
What templates should you use? That depends a lot on the scope of your project and how you want it to look. For instance, if you're going for more traditional stained-glass look, or want to fill in a glass pane with a specific shape, look at sites with templates specifically designed for stained glass projects- Delphi Glass , for example, has some great free patterns. These sites also have templates for smaller, less complex crafting projects like Lisa's flower stickers. She got her flower stencil sheet from Plaid , the brand that also makes her gallery glass paint.
There's no rule saying you're limited to stained glass templates, though. Coloring book pages or paint-by-numbers kits would also work well here, especially for a kid's crafting project. Just keep in mind that because coloring books aren't designed with stained glass paint in mind, your black outlines will likely be thicker than the coloring book's lines, so beginners might want to avoid using art with ultra-fine details. For instance, a really intricate mandela might not be the best template to work off of unless you blow the image up!
Technique Tips for Perfect Paint
Finding the right design is only half the battle, though. If you want clean lines and spotless color, you've got to be very precise while you paint. Lisa shared some tips to help DIY crafting newbies avoid messy mistakes.
One thing I've seen a lot of people complain about is how the black outlines of their faux stained glass pieces keep coming out uneven. For Lisa, preventing this comes down to technique.
"Apply the paint slowly and with medium pressure on the bottle to make sure that your lines are thick and consistent," said Lisa, demonstrating her technique. Don't shake the bottle either, Lisa warns- this can create bubbles in your paint and lead to messy, uneven line work.
Once the black paint has dried to at least a matte finish, you can start adding the color. Lisa warns that the consistency of the colored gallery paint is thinner than the outline paint, so be extra gentle when applying pressure. Don't paint with the bottle too close to the outlines, either! Instead, Lisa uses a toothpick to evenly spread the color out to the edges without overlapping the lines. Toothpicks are also perfect for popping any bubbles that show up in your paint, ensuring a seamless finish.
After 24 hours, you can slowly pull off the finished art and you're good to go. The back should be sticky, and Lisa says you can use these faux stained glass pieces "kinda like stickers," removing and reapplying them to glass surfaces as needed for cleaning and readjustment. The hard part's over- all that's left to do is decorate!
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Most Popular
Comments / 0