What kind of paint should I use?

[Judd]

Hi,
I would like some information please. I enjoy marbling fabric and paper, and I assume the basic process can be done with glass. However, since I have never used glass paint, I want one that has the consistency of airbrush paint, and that can produce the secondary colors from the blended primaries. I have never blended enamels, or added my own water or oil, or whatever, so something pre-blended or pretty simple to blend would be nice.

1) What type of paint should I buy,

2) which distributor will NOT require I buy $500 worth of paint for an experiment that may not work,

3) and will I have to etch the glass in order to get the paint to cling to the glass?

Thank you in advance,
Judd

[Bert Weiss]

before I left home on a month long treaching trip, some of us began work on an enamel FAQ. Eventually we'll get it complete and posted.

Ferro Sunshine series enamels, mixed with any of several mediums will do exactly what you picture. Find contact info in archives.

I just taught this technique and the students did fabulous work. I will be offering workshops at my studio in NH as interest develops. I need just 5 students and 3 or 4 days to schedule a class. I am also interested in offering this class around the planet. Contact me for more info.

I began to better understand just what these enamels are and how they work. Essentially they are clear ground glass (called flux) mixed with colored oxides to create a thin layer of intense color. These colors are much stronger than any color made by crushing colored glass (frit). The good news is that they are strong in reflected light, glow nicely in soft back light and get weak and disappointing in strong back light. They allow for brush stroke effects that are impossible with frit painting. They can be combined with fusing, casting or frit painting for a full range of effects as long as all the frits and glasses are compatible. The enamels are compatible with all the glasses we use, float, 90, and 96...