How to Make Gallery Glass Art for Home Decor DIY

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How to Make Gallery Glass Art for Home Decor DIY

Learn how to make faux stained glass wall art using Gallery Glass paints.

This fun technique is an easy craft that will give you the look of real stained glass without the expense and the tedious amount of grinding, soldering and polishing.

Glass art has such timeless elegance, it's no wonder that stained glass is trending with the new young artist generation!

Let's get started on the vibrant colors of gallery glass wall art!

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR GALLERY GLASS ART:

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If you are shopping at Plaidonline.com, use the coupon code: DOODLECRAFT15 for 15% off your purchase! (see Gallery Glass)

STEP 1: PICTURE FRAME DECONSTRUCTION

Find an old picture frame, complete with glass and backing board, I thrifted mine for about 4 dollars.

The glass is the most important part of this project, so be sure there are no cracks in it.

Turn the frame over and use a flat-head screwdriver to lift up the staples that secure it.

Then remove the backer board, the glass and the picture, store them all in safe places...ideally get this craft project done in two days so these pieces aren't sitting around for long at all.

STEP 2: GALLERY GLASS LEADING

Get a piece of scrap paper the size of the glass and sketch out the design you want to have in stained glass on your finished art piece.

Outline it with black marker once you are satisfied and then set the cleaned glass sheet right on top of your pattern.

Use the black (or gold, silver, copper) Liquid Leading to trace the lines onto the surface of the glass.

STEP 2: GALLERY GLASS LEADING Get a piece of scrap paper the size of the glass and sketch out the design you want to have in stained glass on your finished art piece. Outline it with black marker once you are satisfied and then set the cleaned glass sheet right on top of your pattern. Use the black (or gold, silver, copper) Liquid Leading to trace the lines onto the surface of the glass.

Pro tip: The leading will look smoother if you squeeze the bottle and let it drop out about an inch above the glass.

This also gives you the ability to move it in curves without creating blobs.

Note: blobs do happen.

I keep them as part of my art piece, because it adds an element of realism, they no longer look machined, but have the human element.

You can wipe them out with a baby wipe and re-pipe the leading if desired.

Note: blobs do happen. I keep them as part of my art piece, because it adds an element of realism, they no longer look machined, but have the human element. You can wipe them out with a baby wipe and re-pipe the leading if desired.

The more you practice the leading, the better you will get at it.

There are still air bubbles that arise in the bottle and sometimes it spurts out, so be prepared to do a little cleanup with a wipe.

Now, set the glass sheet aside somewhere to dry completely, for at least 4 hours.

If you have kids or cats, you have to be a little more cautious where it dries!

STEP 3: GALLERY GLASS PAINTS

After the leading has dried, at least 4 hours, and doesn't move when touched, it's time to paint the glass with vibrant hues of Gallery Glass window color paint.

I am using some of the older bottle style and some of the newer bottle style.

I have no preference between the two, the colors are the same.

STEP 3: GALLERY GLASS PAINTS After the leading has dried, at least 4 hours, and doesn't move when touched, it's time to paint the glass with vibrant hues of Gallery Glass window color paint. I am using some of the older bottle style and some of the newer bottle style. I have no preference between the two, the colors are the same.

Gently squeeze out the window paint into the leaded lines.

Use a toothpick to pop any bubbles.

Be cautious not to overfill the spaces.

You can also use a toothpick or pin to swirl colors together, so get creative as you design your contemporary glass art piece!

If you are using metallic Gallery Glass paint, like this gold, the metallic pigments in it will look swirly when it dries, so be creative as you pipe out the color to give it some intentional swirls.

Continue adding color to your glass panel.

I find that working my way from the top down to the bottom is the best so I don't accidently drag my arm through any of the glass paint.

STEP 4: CRYSTAL BEADS

Finish off a few sections with some crystal beads, these non colorful balls will reflect light and add some dimension to the faux stained glass.

Then set the glass aside to dry completely, this time it needs at least 12 hours.

The colors of the Gallery Glass paint will deepen and darken as it dries.

STEP 4: CRYSTAL BEADS Finish off a few sections with some crystal beads, these non colorful balls will reflect light and add some dimension to the faux stained glass. Then set the glass aside to dry completely, this time it needs at least 12 hours. The colors of the Gallery Glass paint will deepen and darken as it dries.

STEP 5: BACKGROUND PAPER

The biggest key to this piece of faux stained glass is the background paper.

Since it's not hanging in a window, it needs some bright colors behind it to add to the high end look.
I picked gold and glitter.

I am also using a big piece of Arches watercolor paper, that I found at the thrift store.

If the picture you are covering is light in color, you could try painting over that...the watercolor paper is excellent because it doesn't buckle when painted...at least as it dries it returns to beautiful flatness.

STEP 5: BACKGROUND PAPER The biggest key to this piece of faux stained glass is the background paper. Since it's not hanging in a window, it needs some bright colors behind it to add to the high end look. I picked gold and glitter. I am also using a big piece of Arches watercolor paper, that I found at the thrift store. If the picture you are covering is light in color, you could try painting over that...the watercolor paper is excellent because it doesn't buckle when painted...at least as it dries it returns to beautiful flatness.

First I did a layer of metallic gold...but leaving it a little streaky for a modern art look.

Then I added sections of various Glitterific paints in gold, cinnamon and holographic colors.

The glitter is thick and bumpy, but with the glass on top it will give it a smooth surface look.

Let the paper dry completely, taped down to a waterproof surface for the best results.

It takes about 4 hours to dry completely...at least during the Summer in the western United States...time may vary due to humidity and temperature.

STEP 6: ASSEMBLING STAINED GLASS ART

Now that everything is dry, it's time to layer them up and assemble them back inside the frame.

Somewhere in the process, I painted my frame bright gold to match as well.

Place the watercolor painted paper down, then the glass panel with your vibrant design on top.

Place them down inside the fame, replace the backer board and press the staples back down with a screwdriver to secure everything in place.

Now you can admire your stunning stained glass art piece!

The leading and painting process can actually be done on an existing art piece, without even removing them from the frame...but I love how this turned out!

The bright gold background adds this wonderful light to the stained glass image and I love the glitter shining through in there too!

Taking this picture outside made it look so bright!

The layered look is totally on trend.

The stained glass effect is totally trending.

This home decor art piece has it all without all the cost!

Make a gorgeous wall art piece for your home today!

That's it!

Make a custom high end statement piece using faux stained glass, metallic and glitter paint and a big frame for maximum impact!

This is a cost effective way to add the luxe of stained glass in your home whether you own or rent.

Share what you create and tag me, @doodlecraft so I can cheer you on!

Like, Pin and Save!

Make a custom high end statement piece using faux stained glass, metallic and glitter paint and a big frame for maximum impact! This is a cost effective way to add the luxe of stained glass in your home whether you own or rent. Share what you create and tag me, @doodlecraft so I can cheer you on!

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