Painting streaky glass with overglaze enamels

How to paint a streaky glass effect using over glaze enamels

by Jill Egan

Materials- Overglaze enamels, or china paints as they are sometimes called, and all other products used here can be purchased from www.held.co.uk or www.westfieldhouse.co.uk Important- when working with glass and kilns please take adequate safety precautions. Some harmful fumes may be given off during the firing process so fire in a well ventilated area and avoid the kiln room as much as possible during the firing process. Follow the health and safety regulations for overglaze enamels.

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I’ve used 4mm float glass for these pieces but any glass should work so long as the temperature can go up to 780 -800 ° C . Just use your usual firing programme and anneal correctly for the type of glass used.

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Wash and dry your piece of glass. If you know the tinned side of float glass put that side down as some colours will react with the tinned side.It’s advisable to do a test fire as some colours may change during the firing process

Wash and dry your piece of glass. If you know the tinned side of float glass put that side down as some colours will react with the tinned side.Now to mix the enamels; I want to blend the colours so I’m using an open oil based medium. Enamels mixed with oils cannot be capped until the oil has been burned off but they work fine on the top surface.

Put some enamel on a tile, or piece of glass, add a few drops of medium.

Mix with a pallet knife to toothpaste consistency.








I like to use white enamel first ( Held’s R2 mixing white) and spread it on with a palette knife. You don't have to use white but I like the effect.

I thought I should mention how to condition your brush for painting even though I’m using a palette knife to apply the enamel in this project.Put some medium in a well and wiggle your brush in it

Work the oil into the brush by wiggling on a tile of piece of glass.

Blot out the excess oil on kitchen paper by pressing gently, your brush is now ready to use. Note: if you have too much oil in your brush your paint might run during firng.





The round glass dish in the photo is made from 2 layers of glass, I applied the china paint to one layer then fired to about 750° C to burn out the medium, then it was fired again to a full fuse, this was followed by another fire to slump the dish.

IMPORTANT- overglaze enamels are not food safe, use for decorative pieces only, or sandwich with another layer of glass.

Notes- A lot of the information about china painting featured on my blog will translate to painting on glass.

If your glass is already slumped use glass enamels and fire to 560° C




Then apply colours using a brush or palette knife,

Smooth out the enamel in one direction using a brush, I use soft hair brushes but not my best ones, the edge of the glass will cut the bristles. A synthetic fan brush is good for gently smoothing out the brush strokes. Clean the edges and underside of the glass, it’s now ready to fire.





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Painting streaky glass with overglaze enamels