Stained glass painting

Been very busy earning sailing money lately so have had an intense effort with the oak tree window. The top panel is first, glass cut and most of the painting completed. The pieces with lettering have both been fired and look terrific, we have used both methods of painting letters. Acorn is achieved by painting the background out with thick black tracing paint, this means the only light coming through is from the letters, which really highlights the word and make it leap out of the window at you. 

The second method is actually painting the letters on, this makes the scroll stand out and the word becomes subordinate. Using this more subdued method for the secondary word increases the impact of the house name. 

All the oak leaves and acorns are traced and shaded and a couple of them are in the kiln firing as I write. The are in dark black paint and are very effective, I shall reserve the decision as to wether or not to paint the acorns brown and leaves green when it's all fired. Sometimes simple(s) can be more effective. 

First Cartoon

After much work the first cartoon and painting guides are completed for the top window. The word acorn is going to be in a textured bright red glass with the lettering highlighted by blacking the background and the scroll will be on a yellowish glass withe the detail in black. Everything else will be on lightly tinted cathedral glass with the acorns and oak leaves painted in enamels. The panel is quite small so to maximise the light will be copper foiled and set in a 6mm border lead for fitting. A lot of work but will look great. 

New project

Next project begins. This is for a two piece window, main panel fixed, second panel on a top hinged light, opening outwards. Both panels are to be fitted to the inner face of the existing double glazing. They sit in a wooden frame on the first floor landing and face due south with a stunning view of the river Wylie and surrounding fields. 

The cottage is called "Acorn Cottage" and this is to be incorporated into the design and a magnificent oak tree which stands in the garden is to form the centrepiece of the main panel. My thoughts are to separate the script from the picture and maximise the impact of both. So a bold tree to fill the main panel and the script on the small opening light above. After a raft of preliminary sketches I have settled on what looks the right style for the tree, and have produced a proof of concept drawing. The client is very happy so far, so next job is the tricky task of preparing the actual design, cartoon and painting guide. I am hoping to finish in about a month but am still quite busy so it could take a wee while longer.