Colored glass for stained glass has become very expensive. Varieties of techniques for stained glass painting

Any person, entering a particular room for the first time, first of all pays attention to how light the space is flooded. Yes, it largely depends on the number and size of windows, their cleanliness, as well as on the functional and decorative lighting of the room. The latter can be achieved not only with the help of lamps and multi-colored light bulbs. Often, in order to give the room even more originality and sophistication, stained glass is used, which will become bright accent in any room.

Unusual glass patterns will decorate the room with the most incredible colors, and also make the interior quite original. In addition, stained glass will create an unusual atmosphere in the room, give it sophistication and sophistication.

What is stained glass?

Stained glass is a separate type of monumental and decorative art, which is interesting in itself, and in combination with other elements of the interior, it acquires even greater expressiveness and harmony. What he really is? Stained-glass windows are called paintings, patterns, drawings and ornaments made of glass or on glass. As a rule, they are installed in large windows, doorways, niches dividing the space in the room, as well as on lanterns and even lamps.

At present, its definition is extended, and now any decorative glass filling of door and window openings, lanterns, arches, plafonds, domes and ceilings, as well as individual glass products that are intended for decorating a particular room.

Stained glass is made in the form of ornamental compositions. They can be made from colored or clear glass with painting on individual parts or on the entire plane. In addition, stained-glass windows can be made from individual colored parts of a wide variety of shapes. In this case, they are reinforced with a special lead tape.

stained glass art

The history of stained glass art is multifaceted and dates back to ancient times, when window and doorways, as well as ceilings and domes of ancient temples, churches, palaces and other monumental structures were decorated with stained glass windows. Time passed, and with it stained glass art became even more beautiful. Since then, it has undergone quite a lot of changes: the technique of its execution has been improved, drawings and materials have changed, as well as glass processing and manufacturing techniques. It was in this way that stained-glass windows became a real separate type of decorative art, which had its own distinctive features and was an integral part of the overall decor of the room.

Over time, stained glass began to penetrate into residential buildings from palaces, temples and churches, and at the same time, the thematic orientation of the picture also changed: religious stained-glass windows were replaced by secular ones, conveying trends in the art of one time or another.

Quite a lot of works of stained glass art have been preserved all over the world, which were created over a long period of time by famous masters and painters. As a rule, the name of the author of the work speaks for itself, once again confirming the value and uniqueness of the masterpiece. Nevertheless, many amazing works of stained glass art have been preserved in the world, the authorship of which, unfortunately, has not yet been established. Many such works have been preserved in France, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia and the Netherlands. Worthy of attention are the works stored in St. Petersburg.

How were stained glass windows made?

Despite numerous studies, it is still difficult to name the exact date of the emergence of this trend in decorative arts. Moreover, it is quite possible that stained-glass windows began to appear long before the production of glass itself. It is only known for certain that the first mosaic fragments were discovered in ancient rome(I century BC) and in the churches of Christians. Window Sophia Cathedral(Constantinople) were decorated with stained glass, most likely immediately after the construction of the cathedral.

Some literary sources say that during archaeological excavations in ancient Italy, colored as well as the remains of glass mosaic decorations were discovered. We are talking about Pompeii and Herculaneum - the cities that died during the eruption of Vesuvius (79 AD). Other sources claim that the found fragments were part of the floor and walls, since in those days there were few windows in the houses and for the most part without glass. Nevertheless, the found fragments were made of colored glass, and this already speaks of the manifestation of stained glass art.

In the Middle Ages, only rich people could afford decorating a house with stained glass, but nowadays, thanks to the availability of the material and its manufacture, everyone can afford it.

The use of stained glass

Stained glass windows, photos of which are striking in their diversity, can be used when decorating rooms. Thus, it is possible to decorate windows, doors, and niches in a very original way, as well as ceiling lamps, individual decorative elements that can be made in the form of a spectacular mosaic panel. For example, classic style The interior itself implies the presence of stained-glass windows, which will give the room even more sophistication and sophistication.

Already loved by everyone modern style hi-tech does not exclude stained glass. The drawing in this case should be concise and more restrained. Art Nouveau style is distinguished by smooth lines and the presence of natural ornaments, respectively, should be the same and favorably emphasize the overall direction.

Stained glass manufacturing

In order to decorate the room with intricate patterns and various colors that will play with the most incredible colors in the rays of the sun and lamps, you just need to contact the designers. Specialists will be able to choose stained glass, the price of which depends on the complexity of the pattern and the material itself, as well as the pattern itself, which can most favorably emphasize the uniqueness of the interior.

In addition, stained glass can be made independently and then admire the resulting work for a long time. Moreover, all family members can be involved in this process, who will probably also want to have a hand in creating a real masterpiece. Currently, there are several techniques for making stained glass windows, most of which are focused on the use of a wire frame and specialized paints. The cost of a quality stained-glass window cannot be low. It will depend on the size, thickness and quality of the glass and other materials used, the complexity of the design and installation. The product can be both quite expensive and moderate in price. Tiffany stained glass will cost the customer in the amount of 25,000 rubles per 1 sq. m.

Manufacturing technique

It is quite possible to make stained glass with your own hands. This process is quite interesting and exciting, and the costs will be insignificant. For these purposes, you will need medium-thickness aluminum wire, PVA glue or emulsion, specialized paints and, of course, the glass itself. Very often in shops and workshops you can find stained glass stencils for glass, which can greatly simplify the process of making stained glass. As a rule, the whole process comes down to several points:

• glass preparation;
• drawing a picture on the surface;
• fixing the wire along the borders of the pattern;
• coloring;
• drying of paints;
• glass fixing.

glass painting

This type of art also applies to stained glass. Stained glass painting on glass is a way to radically transform one or another element of the interior, starting from a simple pattern on a plain glass vase and ending with extraordinary drawings on interior doors. Very often, this method of decorating is able to make a real work of art out of an ordinary little thing. Here, too, there are subtleties and nuances that, in fact, are not difficult to master, and everyone can join this process.

Suffice it to recall how many in the period new year holidays decorate the windows of their houses with original Christmas drawings.

Film stained glass windows

Independent production of stained glass mosaic is a fascinating process, but it happens that it is impossible to carry it out for some reason. So, for example, special glass for stained-glass windows is often not so easy to find, and it’s quite difficult to choose a pattern. In this case the best option is the use of so-called film stained-glass windows, the cost of which is much lower than glass counterparts.

This technology is the use of a colored film (with a pattern, ornament or image), which imitates stained glass. These structures are much lighter than glass ones, as they are made on a separate sheet and without fasteners. In addition, film stained glass windows are much cheaper and safer to use, which makes them more and more popular.

Tiffany stained glass

This art, however, like any other, has its own characteristics. Tiffany stained glass is a special technology and style that is strongly associated with stained glass mosaics. This technique got its name from its creator Louis Tiffany, the owner of a large number patents in glass production and stained glass art. Masters and artists who work in this direction create truly unique creations that can give zest to any room and create in it a special atmosphere of luxury, sophistication and sophistication.

There are several easy tricks for making stained glass at home.

Real stained glass is not cheap, and they are made by experienced craftsmen. There are several simple methods for making stained glass windows at home. A window opening or door with stained glass will add an authentic flavor to the room. Stained glass windows look expensive and, finally, it's just beautiful.

There are several easy tricks for making stained glass at home. They do not require you to have an unusual skill or a lot of money. A pencil sketch of the stained-glass window you like is applied to whatman paper or tracing paper. These may be: silhouettes of animals, a geometric pattern, exotic birds or floral ornament. Fragments of the sketch are marked with the desired color tone.

Types of technologies for the manufacture of stained glass windows

Stained glass can be used in the decor of a variety of interior items. Glasses can be inserted into window frames, doors, equip ceilings, use as a partition screen or an apron in the kitchen. Sometimes they are decorated with a stained-glass frame of a mirror.

To create a flooded stained-glass window, you will need a palette of translucent and voluminous paints, markers for marking and sketches of a drawing on tracing paper. After completion of the work, the bulk stained-glass window can be fixed with a transparent varnish. After heat treatment, the stained-glass window becomes moisture resistant.

Tiffany stained glass is a little more difficult to make. From the materials you will need a set of colored glass and stained glass foil. If you have a skill in cutting glass and working with a soldering iron, then making a Tiffany stained glass window is not difficult.

Film stained glass is the easiest to make. A multi-colored translucent self-adhesive film is cut according to the sketches and glued onto the glass. Work can be done even on a vertical plane without dismantling the glass. The choice of colored self-adhesive films in hardware stores is very large.

Work on the manufacture of any type of stained glass does not tolerate haste, it requires attention and scrupulousness.

Production of stained-glass windows

On horizontally table set put a sketch of stained glass drawing on a scale of 1:1. Cleaned from dirt and degreased glass is laid on top of the sketch. Relief paint is applied along the contour lines of the drawing. Tubes of such paint are equipped with nozzles of different diameters, and in color scheme there are tones similar to the colors of metals. relief paint it is superimposed along the contour with uniform rollers, and after drying it forms a rim 3-4 mm high.

The contour edging can be made from a special stained glass tape. This is a lead strip on a self-adhesive basis in metallized colors. The tape can be natural lead color or imitate copper, bronze, gilding, etc. The width of the tape has different sizes.

Sometimes the edging is made of aluminum wire from 2 mm thick. The wire is flattened with a hammer, bent according to the contour drawing of the sketch, smeared with thick PVA glue and pressed tightly against the glass.

Paints for stained glass drawings are acrylic, diluted with water, or colored varnish is being prepared. For colored varnish, a little transparent nitro-lacquer is collected in clean plastic jars and diluted with a solvent to a liquid consistency. Add some oil art paint and stirs. Colored varnish is poured into the free openings of the stained glass pattern according to the marked markings and left to dry in a horizontal position. The tone and thickness of the layer of colored lacquer is selected depending on the desired translucency of stained glass.

Aniline or acrylic paints diluted with water with the addition of PVA emulsion. The paint is applied in strokes, from the contour of the fragment to the middle. After the first layer has dried and the color saturation has been corrected, the stained-glass fragments are poured.

The stained-glass window is covered with a transparent varnish, and when installed in the frame, a rubber seal is used.

Technology for stained glass "Tiffany"

Two draft stained glass drawings are being prepared. Fragments on them are numbered and indicated by color. One of the sketches is cut along the contour lines into fragments. The cut out elements will serve as a pattern for cutting colored glass.

Tiffany stained glass sets are sold in hardware stores or art shops. They have different thickness, texture and color density. It is desirable to purchase glass of uniform quality and necessarily the same thickness. In the same place, edging copper foil is purchased - folia. Folia - a strip of copper foil with a one-sided adhesive surface. Depending on the type of patina chosen, black or copper foil is purchased.

Fragments of a stained-glass window sketch cut out of paper are glued onto colored glass. On them, the elements of the pattern are cut out with a glass cutter. With the help of a grinding machine, the part is adjusted to size and chamfered. Glass elements are degreased and blotted dry with a napkin. Each piece is wrapped in foil.

On a sheet of thick plywood, a second whole sketch of a stained-glass window is placed. On it, starting from the corner, elements of stained glass are laid out. Along the outer perimeter, the stained-glass window is fixed with planks or baguette rails. The laid out several elements are nailed and soldered.

The seams are treated with flux, and the tin solder is evenly distributed over them with a hot soldering iron. Wooden slats along the perimeter are removed and the stained-glass window is framed with a U-shaped frame profile. The points of contact of the profile and seams for strength are seized by soldering.

A fully soldered Tiffany stained glass window is opened at the seams with patina. The patina solution is applied with a sponge. Stained glass is cleaned with glass cleaner and installed in the frame.

The simplest film stained-glass windows

To make stained glass from self-adhesive film, you will need:

• a set of translucent multi-colored film on an adhesive basis;
• lead stained glass tape;
• scissors;
• stationery knife;
• sketch;
• marker.

Work can be done even in the vertical position of the glass. Dirt is removed from the glass and wiped with a degreasing solvent. Fragments of a stained-glass window are cut out from a film of different colors in accordance with the pattern. To opposite side glass on a double-sided adhesive tape a sketch of a stained-glass window is glued.

Along the lines visible through the glass, a embossed edge made of lead flexible tape is glued. The joints of the contour side can be soldered. Colored pieces of film are glued into free openings. The film is applied in the central part of the fragment and smoothed to the sides of the contour. Excess film is trimmed with a sharp clerical knife. The air sinuses that have arisen when sticking the film are pierced with a needle and smoothed out with your fingers.

Conclusion

Home-made stained-glass windows are difficult to distinguish from factory ones. When working, show attention and patience. Stained glass for windows is advised to be located on the south side of the house. In this case, they look more beautiful in the light and "steal" a little sunlight. published

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A colorful stained-glass window can decorate a hall, a bedroom, and a corridor. Ordering such products is too expensive, but you can make a similar decor for your home yourself. A stained-glass window of any complexity is created with your own hands without any problems: the performer needs high-quality glass, paints, sealant. Step-by-step instruction, below, will tell in detail about the rules for the manufacture of stained glass.

Materials for creating a stained glass window with illumination

The basis of the work is glass, but its choice must be approached very carefully. The surface of the material must be perfectly flat, the presence of air bubbles or waves is unacceptable. The selection of other components for work should be approached no less responsibly: the result depends on their quality. In order to make a stained glass window on glass, you will need the following tools and materials:

• whatman paper (should correspond to the size of the decor being made);
• glass;
• stained glass paints;
• black silicone for aquariums (can be replaced with rubber sealant);
• wooden blocks (for the frame);
• corners;
• LED cord, mounts and power cord with adapter.

After purchasing all the elements, you can safely proceed to the manufacture of bright home decor.

How to make a stained glass window?

You should not do many elements, especially if such a task is performed for the first time. After receiving a beautiful sketch, the following work is carried out:

1. A pencil drawing is outlined with a thick marker for ease of subsequent transfer of the image.

2. Glass is laid on top of the paper, the drawing paper is fixed on the glass with adhesive tape.

3. Sealant is prepared: the sharp nose is cut off, as shown in the attached video tip. This will help to draw lines more accurately and more conveniently.

4. The pattern is transferred to the glass.

5. According to the prepared contours, the image is painted using stained glass paints.

To obtain the most beautiful and “live” stained-glass window, it is recommended to use additives when applying paints, dilute one color with another, and lighten areas. All these techniques are demonstrated in the master class on making stained glass at home. On the finished decor, you can see how original and bright the overflows and transitions of shades look.

Preparing a frame and decorating a room with a stained glass window

The dimensions of the frame are determined according to the dimensions of the glass itself: it will be glued directly to wooden frame. For the reliability of the connection of the beam, you need to saw it in the corners in order to get a reliable lock between adjacent elements. Next, drill holes at the joints and hammer dowels into them.

After assembling the frame, it is polished and painted.

It is fastened along the inner side with the help of plastic fasteners duralight.

Upon completion of fixing, it is connected to a power cord with an adapter. Gluing to the glass frame is carried out, the glass is additionally fixed with metal corners in front, metal fasteners for dowels are installed on the frame at the back. At this stage, the stained-glass window will be completely ready for installation.

In this article: real look for the manufacture of stained-glass windows at home:

• what types of stained glass windows are suitable for making at home
• what tools and materials are needed for work
• which training courses you can trust, find out course reviews and see the work of beginners
• watch video tutorials on making stained glass at home
• find out where to start

Creating stained glass windows is an ancient art that was previously available only to selected masters, but in our time it is very possible to make a beautiful stained glass window yourself at home. Of course, you will not make a stained glass window using medieval technology in this way, but modern materials and modern technologies allow you to create very beautiful compositions, which outwardly differ little from those very ancient stained-glass windows.

Methods for creating stained glass windows, which are suitable.

There are many ways to make stained glass. In some cases, the production of stained-glass windows is quite laborious and complex process, requiring the mandatory availability of special equipment, and other methods make it relatively easy to make a stained-glass window with your own hands at home. The word relatively is the key. A stained-glass window cannot be made without cost and effort.

As a rule, stained-glass windows are classified according to the method of their manufacture and the materials used. Some techniques are not very different from each other, but there are differences in the materials used.

This is the very first stained glass technique known since the Middle Ages. Such stained-glass windows are assembled from pieces of glass held by metal partitions. This is a rather complicated and time-consuming work that requires special equipment and skills, moreover, such stained-glass windows are expensive. And they turn out to be quite heavy, so you can not install such a stained-glass window on some fragile structure. However, as they say, “hunting is worse than bondage”, and such trifles cannot stand in the way of creating beauty.

Now you can buy ready-made glass for stained glass in specialized stores. The choice is fascinating, as the variety of colors and textures can awaken the imagination of even the most conservative person.

However, the cost of such glasses is very high, and for the manufacture of 1 sq.m of stained-glass surface, as a rule, 1.5 - 2 sq.m. glass. For the manufacture of lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers, glass is used with a thickness of 3-4 mm, and the thickness of different types glasses may fluctuate within one sheet of glass, so calculate right amount glass on the product is difficult. Surely there will be unclaimed pieces of expensive material.

How easy and simple it is to make a classic stained glass window by Svetlana Romanova and Marat Ka can be seen in this video.

Tip from an experienced stained glass artist:

“You don’t need to buy a glass grinder yet,” the store clerk said, “at first, just take a whetstone and grind the sharp edges. Then, when you gain skills, buy a typewriter.

The advice seemed reasonable, and the rather high price of the machine pushed me to postpone its purchase until later. And we followed this advice.

So, gentlemen, if someone ever advises you like this, send the adviser to hell. The very first thing a beginner stained glass artist should buy is Sander for turning glass.

Without it, work will turn into torment. Especially at first, when you have not yet learned how to cut glass exactly along the contours and you will have to remove a lot of excess to give the curved lines of the parts an accurate shape.

This type of stained glass also includes Tiffany technology, which involves collecting pieces of glass on a copper tape.

At home, you can make a stained glass window using Tiffany technology, but this will also require the ability to work with glass.

• Stained glass work begins with a sketch. The details should also not be too small, otherwise they simply cannot be cut out of glass normally.
• The sketch is cut into parts, each part is applied to a sheet of colored glass of the desired color, after which, with the help of a glass cutter, a part is cut out.
• Then the edge of the parts will need to be turned evenly and wrapped with copper foil. When everything is ready, the parts need to be folded into a composition, tightly pressed against each other.
• The edge of the foil must be coated with soldering acid, and then the seams must be joined using tin and a soldering iron. At the end of the work, it will be necessary to wash the stained-glass window so that no plaque remains on the seams. You can do this with a regular detergent.
• The seams will need to be covered with a patina, and then washed again, thereby completing the work.

Watch the video of how his students make their first works in the studio of the artist Roman Zorin.

Film stained glass

stained-glass windows of this type best for home use, since there is no need to buy special equipment and expensive materials. This is a stained glass window, but on a single piece, the glass does not need to be cut into pieces, it does not need to be turned, no need to spend money on adhesive tapes, because no cuts on fingers. The entire drawing is mounted on solid glass. It can be window glass, door glass or decorative panel in the entire wall or a tiny decorative element.

To do film stained glass, You will need a special film. The leaders in quality available on our markets are English films from Regalead. This is not an ordinary self-adhesive film, it is an amazingly technological imitation of glass, the film consists of a dye located between two durable layers that do not transmit ultraviolet light and protect paint from fading, and also withstand temperatures from -45 degrees to +135 degrees Celsius. The films have an incredible range of colors and textures, and also differ in the degree of transparency.

Film cutting does not require special machines or other devices, although enterprises or private workshops where they work with large quantity orders use plotters, digital devices for precise cutting according to the printed pattern. At home, it is enough to have scissors.

And, of course, special lead tape for connecting pieces of film. And, of course, a good teacher. These include the artist Irina Kiseleva, she will tell and show, teach where to get what and how to do it, publish an electronic magazine to help beginners, create stained glass and teach how to create stained glass professionally.

fusing

In another way, this technique is called sintering. On a colorless glass base, pre-cut pieces of multi-colored glass are laid out, placed in an oven and, under the influence of temperature, the glasses are sintered together. Also, other objects can be used to create a pattern, for example, colored sand, with which patterns are laid out, or wire. Of course, contour images cannot be obtained by this method, but the abstractions are bizarre and beautiful. The technique is attractive, the products are mesmerizingly beautiful, but look at the video what equipment is used to make such gizmos.

Sandblasted stained glass

The technique for making stained glass windows of this type is the use of air flow and sand. There are three subspecies of stained glass windows of this type, which differ in the way they use an air jet and colored sand.

Etching

Stained glass windows are made with acid. A special protective film is applied to the glass, as well as a stencil with the contours of the pattern, along which the image is melted. Such stained-glass windows are embossed, with three-dimensional drawings. It is worth noting that the technique of working with acid is very dangerous and therefore rarely used. In order not to be poisoned by acid fumes, artists wear respirators and special clothing. Totally unsuitable for the home.

Cast stained glass

A complex technique in which each glass module is cast or blown by hand, while the glass is given a special texture that enhances the refraction of light and gives expressiveness to the stained glass. Glasses are fastened together with metal fittings and cement mortar.

Painted stained glass

This technique implies the mandatory use of painting. And such a product can be called a stained glass window with a big stretch, but nonetheless. The surface of the glass is painted either with acrylic opaque paints and then, after drying, varnished, or painted with expensive silicone transparent stained glass paints, and then the glass is fired in a special oven. Of course, no one wants to burn anything at home. But how charmingly they painted the glass and at the same time, shared secrets, designers in television program"Country house":

Filled contour stained glass window

In fact, this is just an imitation of a classic stained glass window, since no glass processing is required here. stained-glass windows this type is performed using a special paint. First, a contour is applied that imitates a stained glass frame, and then another layer of paint is poured into the area bounded by the contour.

Where to begin?

Choose a drawing, or draw it yourself, go to the store, on the advice of a cheerful seller, buy a bunch of unnecessary materials and ... FLUSH THE WHOLE BUSINESS?

Creating stained glass windows, however, is not the easiest thing. Even the most easy way, film, requires certain knowledge and skills. After all, what is a profession - this is knowledge of the nuances! So if you want to know how to make stained glass windows, contact professionals who own professional nuances, do not enter into statements about the ease of the process that does not require preparation, this is not.

Go to courses in your city in workshops for artists, buy special literature, watch video lessons. Although the Internet enough stupid advice on the product of stained glass paints with your own hands, for example.

Therefore, the phrase "contact professionals" will never lose its relevance. Turn to professionals, it will save you your time and your money.

The artist Irina Kiseleva has long been engaged in stained-glass windows. Her professional activity Started working for a stained glass company. The artist maintains an electronic magazine where she shares tips with readers, and she also has a training video course, which was created specifically for those who want to learn how to create stained glass windows.

Irina Kiseleva's training course reviews

Irina Terekhova presented a photo of her work and words of gratitude to the author of the course (source of information is vse-v-tvoih-rukah.ru):

I liked M. Tsvetaeva's poems:

Success in your endeavors, Always with you,

It is today that glazing technologies have reached such heights that a window can be of almost any size, shape and color, and our ancestors had to puzzle over filling window openings. This is how the stained-glass window appeared - a translucent panel made of pieces of colored glass or thin stone plates. In this article we will look at how to make stained-glass windows with our own hands, which are still relevant today. And not only as a form of art, but also as an opportunity to diversify almost any interior. Consider:

• what stained glass manufacturing techniques are used today;
• ways to create stained glass windows with your own hands;
• How to make a Tiffany stained glass with your own hands.

Stained glass window techniques

The popularity of mosaic pictures is largely due to the possibility of their self-production. different ways. Depending on the materials and technology, it can be not only stained-glass windows, but also various decorative elements. These are ceiling lamps, and designer flower pots, and door inserts, and furniture, and framing. interior arches, and much more. Today, there are several common techniques for making stained glass windows with your own hands.

Soldering

Stained glass classic. The plot according to the sketch must be assembled from separate glass fragments (stained glass smalts), which are fixed together with lead, copper, tin or brass. Each smalt is wrapped in a forged or cast "lace" and soldered with the rest.

Now this method has been somewhat modified and a soft metal tape (folia) - copper or brass - is used for edging.

A striking example of modern soldering is the famous Tiffany stained-glass windows, this is almost a household name, which has spread to the very technique of creating a stained-glass window using foil.

stories from different small parts assembled, soldered and framed, the technology allows you to create any form, not just flat panels.

facet

For stained-glass windows, thick glass, from 6 mm, is used, all sides of each element are chamfered at a small angle, which ensures the refraction of light. Faceted stained-glass windows are made of special types of glass - lead and potash, the first is heavier, but gives a strong optical effect, the second is lighter, but the rays do not play in it the same way. The most spectacular are the combined facet stained-glass windows of both types of glass. Due to the thickness and severity of the elements, such paintings are assembled only in an aluminum profile. Therefore, their second name is aluminum stained-glass windows.

fusing

More complex technique, but stained-glass windows can also be made voluminous and more spectacular, it is possible to make multi-layered pictures or figures. multicolored glass elements are stacked according to the plot, baked and rolled, the boundaries of the fragments can remain clear or layered, showing the texture of the pattern, unattainable in other techniques.

Etching

The relief on the glass is formed in the process of surface treatment with special acids, stencils are used, along the contour of which the pattern is etched.

Application (film stained-glass windows)

This is not exactly a do-it-yourself stained glass technique, although the result is something similar, it is a method of making an imitation using a glass or plastic base, multi-colored stained glass films and special metal tape. The pattern is gradually created on the base by gluing a layer of matte film, and the contours of the image are pasted over with adhesive tape to give a relief pattern.

Painting (fill)

It is also an imitation technique, only the drawing is not glued, but painted on glass with your own hands with special stained glass paints. The painting turns out to be more transparent, and the filling gives brighter, more saturated stained-glass windows. The contours in this case are first drawn with thicker lines with contour paste, to give texture, or also pasted over with tape / wire. Requires artistic skills.

DIY stained glass windows

For self-creation stained-glass windows at home, not all techniques are suitable, since it is unlikely that everyone has forged or cast metal strips lying around in the closet, a chamfer with aluminum profiles or oven equipment. Theoretically, you can get hydrofluoric acid, but you will have to breathe fumes, and it is difficult to guarantee a pattern, and not a burn. Therefore, home craftsmen are left with the Tiffany technique and two imitations to choose from.

Tiffany stained-glass windows require certain equipment, and the work is quite painstaking and time-consuming, while painting and pouring can be done by any novice stained-glass artist, and even with children. But if Tiffany is a full-fledged stained-glass window that can be inserted even into a window, even into a door, then the imitation of a classic stained-glass window still betrays itself, even if the pattern is mirrored on both sides.

stained glass tiffany

Consider soldering using foil, which you can buy at any art store, as a way to create a real Tiffany stained glass window.

Picture - when choosing a drawing, you should avoid too complex lines, then not only cut them out of glass, but also process and connect them, it is better to focus on figures with smooth curves and, to begin with, from medium-sized parts. A sketch can be taken from the Internet, there are a lot of options for patterns in various techniques taking into account the specifics of stained glass painting. You can draw on your own, provided that the desire is supported by at least minimal skills. If none are observed, it is better to use standard blanks.

cutting - the sketch is transferred to thick cardboard and cut into parts (numbered). To leave space for soldering, the contour of the smalt should be deeper than the contour of the template by 0.5-0.7 mm. The template is applied to the glass and outlined, and then the part is cut out of the glass.

More likely to cut a shape, rather than ruin the glass, on a hard, flat surface, using a quality diamond glass cutter (with a curved cutting edge) and not making sudden movements.

Sheet stained glass costs decently, to save money, you can use the old battle. Before taking on smalts, it is advisable to practice cutting ordinary glass with curved lines in order to fill your hand.

Treatment - the edges of each part must be processed with a glass grinder.

But this is an expensive pleasure and more often bars No. 220-240, 12-20 mm wide, are used for fine-tuning smalt, at least square and semicircular, triangular is needed for complex elements when there is a line curving inward.

The bars must be strong, corundum or garnet will do, sand powder will not take glass.

When grinding, the smalt and the bar are lowered into a suitable container with water. After grinding, each smalt is wrapped around the contour with foil, the edges are rolled up (the tape is leveled and pressed with a piece of wood or plastic). After the edges, the ends are smoothed and once again passed around the entire perimeter.

Assembly - professionals recommend cutting, processing and laying smalts one at a time, but this is a personal matter for everyone. Assembly is easier to do on a blueprint machine. For lack of it, you can put a transparent sheet of plastic or thick glass between the supports and highlight table lamp. It's even easier if you have coffee table with a glass top - thin fabric, tracing paper (stencil) and forward. Illumination is necessary to prevent gaps between smalts; when laying them, they are tightly adjusted to each other or to the borders of the pattern. The stencil is fixed with two strips - on the left and above or on the right and above (for left-handed people), the layout starts from the corner, gradually filling the entire pattern.

Flusovka - the assembled stained-glass window is crimped with slats from the remaining sides, making sure that the parts do not protrude upwards or into a corner, if necessary, add edges, smooth and press. Ideally, the stained glass window is sorted out again in order to evenly cover both the edges and the ends with the flux, but you can simplify the task by carefully going over the edges of each part with a richly moistened brush or cotton swab. The flux is chosen semi-active, with borax, the remnants of the active can corrode the binding over time.

Soldering - differs from the usual radio engineering both in equipment and in the method of execution.

To solder Tiffany, you need a special soldering iron, which has a bronze nickel-plated tip (short, white color with a characteristic sheen).

The power of this tool is only 100W, it heats the elements up to desired temperature but the solder doesn't stick to it. Ordinary, tin-lead solders are not recommended, because they can crack smalts. Therefore, for Tiffany it is better to use solders with cadmium additives (POSK-50-18, Avia-1). You can get by with POS-61/61M solder, but it is softer and not as strong.

Tiffany is soldered in a capillary way in two stages - first, along the contour of the smalt, they pierce with a melt of solder about a centimeter (a thread in width like a sting), without touching the parts with a soldering iron and solder. It is not recommended to go through a large area in one approach if the stained-glass window is large. They pass a fragment the size of a man's palm, let the stained-glass window cool down, and continue until every detail is dripped through. In the second pass, each seam is soldered, applying solder along the contour of each smalt and heating until it seeps through the seam and covers the joint from the inside.

framing - the finished stained-glass window is soldered to a profile frame, rectangular, if it is a flat panel, or figured, if it is a ceiling or other decorative element. The frame cleaned and degreased (with alcohol) is covered with flux from the inside, and the stained-glass window along the edge from the front and side. The frame is applied to the composition or the composition is inserted into the frame and soldered, like smalts, in fragments, if a gap remains, it is also fluxed and soldered.

flushing - part of the manufacture of stained glass, necessary to remove the remnants of the flux, no matter how hard you try, but it is collected not only in the seams, but also on the smalts. Today simplest way get rid of these stains at this stage - treat the stained-glass window with a sponge dipped in dishwashing detergent, after which the product is washed and wiped.

Patination - if you are already taking on Tiffany, you should fork out for a special colored glass, sheet or battle, since the film or paint still looks worse. But patination will not harm such a stained-glass window, but only emphasize its beauty. Accurate application finished composition binding is done with gloves and a respirator, and the room should be well ventilated. If dirty - feel free to wash, wipe and in conclusion - gently polish with a soft cloth. If necessary, the metal frame is closed with a decorative frame made of wood or imitation.

Regardless of the chosen technique, a stained-glass window made by one's own hands will not only decorate the house, but also delight with the realization that you can handle the most ancient of arts.