The idea for The Raven started as most of my better ideas do, late at night when I'm trying to sleep. After attending a workshop and learning the Vitri Fusaille method of glass painting from Peter McGrain (something I've wanted to do for a long time) I was ready to create a piece on my own.
After sketching out the design and planning the colors it was time to cut the colored glass and fuse it together. Full fuse at 1500° with 96 COE creates a flat "canvas" ideal for painting.
The black outline went down first. I scratched away some detail and design elements. It's important to obscure places where colors meet. Then it's back into the kiln for a quick fire. It's not necessary to fully fuse and anneal the glass until all the painting is complete.
After applying an even mask of paint I used a variety of tools - sharpened sticks and brushes to remove all but the darker shadows. And back into the kiln to set this layer of paint.
Another layer, with a lighter mask, is applied and removed - leaving more detail. And, once again, back into the kiln.
And finally I returned with the black and a fine brush to add some fine detail. With all the painting complete I put it into the kiln for a full fuse, making sure the glass is properly annealed.
I'm happy with my first solo project and can't wait to start on the next one!
Did you do all the painting and masking with glassline paint? And - how did you do the "masking" anyway???
ReplyDeleteThis is a method I learned from Peter Mcgrain http://petermcgrain.com/ called Vitri Fusaille. There isn't any masking involved here, I painted a layer and removed the paint to leave the shading. Reusch paint is what I used. I hope this answer is more helpful than confusing.
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