When your undercoat goes down, some people are too timid: they “badger” too gently. Like they were dusting a priceless china vase. Like they were frightened they might break their glass.
Like they don’t really want to blend.
But let me tell you this: that’s not the way to do it.
Glass paints e.g. Reusche Tracing Black (DE401) don’t work in the same way as silver stain:
You need a separate set of brushes for paint and stain.
As you’ll know from our studio manual, Glass Painting Techniques & Secrets from an English Stained Glass Studio (you can get a sample chapter here): once you’ve finished all the tracing, shading and highlighting you want to do with glass paint and water (and gum Arabic), then it’s often a good idea to carry on with glass paint mixed with oil (and no gum Arabic).
And then – you fire your glass just once.
OK, so the advantages of oil are … ?
In which you can discover an invaluable technique for using silver stain for a most dramatic effect!
A kind soul commented here the other day that our work was “stunning”.
We salute this generosity of spirit.
And also we wish to add a “but” …