1. What matters most when painting on glass?

Start by having the right set of paints for your art project. For painting on glass, I recommend using acrylic paints for your projects. My preferred brands are as follows: Golden, Mont Marte, and Sargent. The FolkArt brand you can find on Amazon or Walmart. You can find these brands at you local art supply store, or online at Amazon. I recommend buying a set that has all the primary colors so that you can mix and blend to get a wider range of secondary colors. This option can be more affordable than buying a set with both primary and secondary colors. For base colors, I prefer matte types, and then you can use neon, metallic or translucent paints onto of the matte base.

2. Materials and supplies you will need

When painting on glass, you will need the following supplies:

• Glass jars: I recommend 6 oz canning or mason jars for the ideal size and shape.
• Glass bottles: I recommend using soda bottles, wine bottles or condiment bottles that you can find in your kitchen.
• Paint brushes: I recommend buying a pack that has different sizes from large to very small tips for more detailed work.
• Sand paper: It does not have to be very coarse as you want to avoid scratching the glass.
• Sponges: I recommend a pack of sponge brushes so that you can try different techniques.
• Flat surface: This is preferred for working efficiently.
• Tissue Paper: Ideal for spills or mishaps that can happen on art projects.
• Gloss finisher: This will give the final look a shiny long lasting appearance.

3. Preparation

Now that you have the materials that you will need for painting on glass and a flat surface to work on, the first steps before painting is to prepare the glass jars or bottles. I recommend the following procedures:

• Start by cleaning the bottles thoroughly.
• Then, peel off any paper or plastic labels.
• Next, remove adhesives: Use vinegar and water to ease the process of removing sticky residue on the glass jar once the labels have been removed.
• Then, thoroughly wash the glass jar with soap and warm water.
• Leave to dry in the open air. The jar must be completely dried out on the outside and inside.

4. Techniques for Painting

Start by carefully examining the surface of the glass jar. Check the smoothness and transparency of the glass. Then, it is important to determine the color scheme that best fit your vision. You may need to experiment with color combinations before painting on glass. Start with two or three primary colors i.e. red, blue, white and also a little black. Blend and mix until you arrive at the shade and color that appeals most to you. For beginners, I recommend using a sponge brush to cover a large surface quickly. Also, working with a regular brush takes more practice, and skill generally when compared to sponge brushes. It also provides an opportunity to blend in white and black to create a multi-color textured effect. For finer details, you will definitely need a steady hand and smaller brush strokes. For the products that we design at csCreatives such as our meditation candle holders, we also paint the lids of the jars for that complete professional look.

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