| The first decision you need to make is | | | | carry with me when working on a window |
| if the design should be permanent or | | | | painting project. Some may be obvious, |
| temporary. All the window painting I've | | | | and not everything may be included. This |
| done to date was intended to be | | | | list is only to help you think about |
| temporary. In most cases, I've found | | | | what you might want to have available at |
| that the client wanted a seasonal design | | | | a painting site. |
| that needed to be changed every three to | | | | Tip 1 - Floating Medium and Clear Medium |
| four months. | | | | First, I want to mention the use of |
| Permanent Designs | | | | floating medium (for acrylic paint) and |
| If you or your client want a permanent | | | | Clear Medium (for the enamels). As you |
| design, then my first recommendation is | | | | may be aware, floating medium is a clear |
| to use the Folk Art Enamels paints. I've | | | | pigment gel that is used with your Folk |
| had a lot of success painting with Folk | | | | Art acrylic paint and helps the paint |
| Art Enamels on glassware, so I would | | | | flow more smoothly; making the paint |
| expect similar results on windows. | | | | easier to work with on any surface, |
| Another option is to use the regular | | | | including windows. Be aware, however, |
| Folk Art acrylic paints with the glass | | | | that it also changes the consistency of |
| and tile medium, following the | | | | the paint depending on how much you use. |
| directions on the glass and tile medium | | | | The more floating medium that is used; |
| bottle. | | | | the more transparent the paint becomes. |
| I like using the Enamels because they | | | | Again, the floating medium is only for |
| require one less step and I feel they | | | | use with the Folk Art acrylic paint. If |
| adhere to the glass better. However, you | | | | you are using the enamel paint, then you |
| should feel free to paint with whichever | | | | would use the enamel clear medium. It |
| combination you are most comfortable | | | | works the same as the floating medium, |
| using. Since I don't have any experience | | | | but is specially designed for use with |
| painting on windows with either the | | | | the Folk Art Enamel paint. |
| Enamels or the combination of paint and | | | | When I use the floating medium, I have |
| glass and tile medium, I can't tell you | | | | my paintbrush loaded with paint and then |
| how durable the final result will be. | | | | work the floating/clear medium into the |
| Temporary Designs | | | | paint. Add more floating/clear medium as |
| Painting a temporary design is, in some | | | | needed to help the paint flow smoothly |
| ways, easier. You will only need the | | | | on the glass. You will notice a big |
| regular Folk Art acrylic paint and, if | | | | difference in how the paint flows as |
| you like, floating medium. Do not use | | | | compared to using the paint without the |
| glass and tile medium or any kind of | | | | floating/clear medium. |
| sealer. Doing so will only make the | | | | Tip 2 - Getting Good Paint Coverage on |
| eventual removal of your design more | | | | Glass |
| difficult or even impossible. | | | | On your first layer (color), since you |
| When painting a seasonal, temporary | | | | are painting directly on the glass, you |
| design, you have to remember that it is | | | | can add paint to the surface to make it |
| exactly that, temporary. If you paint | | | | more opaque and get better coverage. |
| storefront doors, then expect to come | | | | After the first layer dries, then you |
| back a few days later and see minor | | | | can add another layer (color) on top of |
| scratches in the design. If the design | | | | the first. However, you will not be able |
| is on your front storm door, then a | | | | to work with the paint like you did with |
| complete season of temperature changes | | | | the first layer. The first layer of |
| will likely crack or wrinkle the paint. | | | | paint will begin to come off and get |
| This wild rose design was painted from | | | | sloppy if you work the second layer too |
| the outside using Folk Art acrylic | | | | much. In my experience, it is best to |
| paint. | | | | load your brush with a lot of paint and |
| Preparing to Paint the Window Surface | | | | stroke over the first layer only one |
| To ensure that the paint makes good | | | | time. |
| contact with the window surface, the | | | | Tip 3 - Removing a Painted Design |
| glass should be clean. I usually use | | | | If you want to remove a painted design |
| warm water and a wash cloth for the bulk | | | | from a window, there are two methods |
| of the cleaning. Any remaining stubborn | | | | that I use; both are a bit messy. The |
| paint spots can usually be easily | | | | first involves using a razor blade to |
| removed by scraping with a razor blade. | | | | scrape the paint from the surface of the |
| Before you begin painting, you will want | | | | window. This produces a lot of paint |
| to determine the placement of the | | | | chips and flakes. The other method is to |
| different elements of your window | | | | use lukewarm water with soap (the soap |
| design. It might be useful to have a | | | | is optional) with some rags or paper |
| sketch on a sheet of notebook paper or | | | | towels to clean the window. This is also |
| reference photographs available for this | | | | messy because the paint smears |
| purpose. | | | | everywhere. Once the paint is removed, I |
| Painting Your One Stroke Design on the | | | | use glass cleaner to remove any |
| Window | | | | remaining paint residue. You can also |
| You will also need to decide if you're | | | | use a combination of these two methods |
| going to paint the design on the inside | | | | by scraping some of the paint off, then |
| or outside of the window. | | | | washing off the remainder. |
| If you choose to paint on the inside, | | | | Tip 4 - How Much Should I Charge to |
| then you will need to use the reverse | | | | Paint a Window? |
| painting technique. In one stroke | | | | Unfortuately, there's no easy answer to |
| painting, this means that whatever you | | | | this often asked question. The best |
| would normally paint last on a design, | | | | advice I can give is to first consider |
| should be painted first, then work | | | | the following questions: |
| backwards. This allows the design to | | | | What is the income level of the area |
| look normal when viewed from the | | | | where you live compared to other parts |
| outside. Reverse One Stroke painting is | | | | of your state or country? (Almost |
| more difficult than regular One Stroke | | | | everything costs more in New York City |
| painting, so it will probably require | | | | than in a small midwestern town.) |
| some practice and additional advance | | | | Is the design permanent or temporary? |
| planning. Look for One Stroke reverse | | | | How many colors will you use? |
| painting teaching guides or classes in | | | | How big (or small) is the design? |
| your area if you need help learning to | | | | Does the design have a lot of detail, or |
| reverse paint. | | | | is it simple? |
| If you choose to paint on the outside, | | | | Is the design a mural or picture, or is |
| then you will be painting normally. For | | | | it a border? |
| most painters, this will be faster, | | | | Will you have to stand on a tall ladder |
| since it is the same technique you use | | | | all day, or is the design to be painted |
| to paint on walls, canvas or even the | | | | near ground or floor level? |
| regular teaching guides. | | | | Once you quote a price to a customer, |
| In my experience, if the outside is | | | | you can always negotiate or lower the |
| relatively well protected from the | | | | price by simplifying the design -- fewer |
| elements, then both inside painting and | | | | colors, smaller design, less details, |
| outside painting will experience the | | | | etc. Always remember, you should charge |
| same amount of wear during a three or | | | | what you think your painting is worth, |
| four month display. | | | | and there will always be someone who |
| Window Painting Supplies | | | | thinks your quoted price is too much, no |
| The following is a list of the items I | | | | matter how high or low. |