Tall, dark handsome: paints and powders turn "plain-Jane" into brilliant elegance

Expression, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Judy Schiek

Painting on a piece of dark glass with an airbrush produces a spectacular result when using metallic paints and Primary Elements. These paints and powders together create a luminous shimmer and a rich elegance that are both brilliant and subtle at the same time. When Primary Elements are added to Vitrea glass paint, which is very transparent, you get an intense transparency. When sprayed over metallic glass paint, the results are beautiful. If you can't find a dark matte-finish vase you can create one by spraying a clear glass vase with Black #42 Porcelaine mixed with Pebeo Matte Medium.

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If the painted piece doesn't turn out the way you had anticipated, you can always wash it off and start over. Don't be afraid to "push the envelope" so to speak, and above all else, have FUN!

INSTRUCTIONS

All paints sprayed through an airbrush must have the consistency of milk. Since glass paints are thick you must dilute them (20 percent) with water and put them in 1-oz plastic or glass containers. Add the Primary Elements to the diluted Vitrea paint (approximately 1/8 teaspoon to 1 oz of paint) and stir well. As always, you have options. Use different colors than I used, or opt not to add the Primary Elements to the Vitrea paint. Use your imagination. The adaptor caps are used to attach the containers to the airbrush. (Purchase at an arts and crafts store). A potters wheel or lazy Susan is helpful when working with 3-D objects; this allows you to maneuver the object without touching any wet paint.

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1. Trace and cut your stencil using 155-weight Pelon or any removable stencil material. (Pelon can be purchased at any fabric store.) Attach the Porcelaine Gold to the airbrush. Place the stencil vertically at the base of the vase and spray lightly in layers until the Gold paint is the value you desire. Feather the outer edges so they are even and soft. Remove the stencil and dry with a hair dryer. Spraying the back of the stencil with removable adhesive will help keep the stencil in place. 2. Place the stencil above the previously stenciled area turning it slightly to create a graceful design that curves up the vase. Spray Gold paint, repeating step 1. Dry and repeat again, placing the stencil above this area until you reach the top of the vase. Dry after each spraying and also pat your stencil dry to keep it clean. 3. Change your color to the Vitrea Red. Reposition the stencil over the previously sprayed design on the lower part of the vase and lightly spray the corners and around the edges. Leave some areas of design unpainted. Change color to Vitrea Purple and spray over the gold edges or corners of the design to create a blend. When this area is finished, proceed to the upper area and repeat the process until the vertical design reaches the top. Turn vase around to the back and repeat the entire process. 4. Technically your vase is finished but now you have an option: Leave as is or accent with the Pebeo Transparent Outliner in Gold or Copper. Accent the edges of the stenciled area with the liner. 5. Let dry for 24 hours. Bake the finished piece in your oven at 300 degrees F for a half-hour. Let cool for an additional half-hour. Voila, you have a work of art that is hand washable and ready to grace any table or shelf.

RELATED ARTICLE: MATERIALS

BADGER AIRBRUSH--#155 ANTHEM AIRBRUSH

BADGER COMPRESSOR 180-11

HOSE

ADAPTOR CAPS--FOUR

THREE 1 OZ BOTTLES (PLASTIC OR GLASS)

DARK GLASS VASE

PEBEO GLASS PAINT (I used Porcelaine 150-#45 Gold--and Vitrea 160--#5 Red, #7 Purple.)

PEBEO TRANSPARENT OUTLINER--GOLD OR COPPER

PRIMARY ELEMENTS--POPPY RED, SNAP DRAGON

CRAFT KNIFE OR STENCIL BURNER

REMOVABLE ADHESIVE

HAIR DRYER

GLASS CLEANER

STENCIL MATERIAL--155-WEIGHT PELON