How To Paint Your Own Wine Glasses - Artful Designs

Wine glasses are, by and large, standard. From the most expensive crystal, to the cheapest plastic, at a distance wine glasses tend to look similar in shape and style. After all, they are made from glass – not a material associated with its versatility in color and style.

If you want something a little more imaginative from your wine glasses, it may be worth considering hand painting them. Actually painting your own wine glasses is both enjoyable in the process and in the aftermath, as you can then enjoy the finished product as well as the process of creation itself. You don't need to be particularly artistic to paint your own wine glasses; even for those completely devoid of the creative gene, there are simple patterns and styles you could use to give your wine glasses an entirely new appearance.

To begin, it may be best to practice on cheap wine glasses you can pick up at the grocery store for around $10. While you may have ideas and designs for expensive glassware, it is best to have some understanding and practice of what it is like to paint on wine glasses before going for the expensive glasses in your range. Even if you have extensive painting experience, this is still recommended; painting on glass is very different to painting on canvas or paper, and there is the added dimension of a curved surface to take in to account. You can always just use the cheap glasses to refine your technique, then be confident and assured of success on your usual glassware.

When you have your glass, you will naturally need your paint. Most craft stores or internet retailers will sell paint that can be used on glass; you should also purchase a paint that is set by heating in the oven. These types of paints produce the best results, which are less likely to flake and chip away. Glass paint should be no more expensive than other types of crafting paint, and will come in a range of color options.

The next necessary equipment are paint brushes; the smaller and finer, the better. Again, craft stores or internet retailers are the best option for these.

With the equipment in place, it's time to get painting. If you are confident, you can simply paint directly onto the glass freestyle. A popular use for this is as party favors; paint each guest's name onto cheap glasses, which they can then take home at the end of an evening.

However, if you would prefer a little guidance or would like to paint a known cartoon character or image, the best option is to use some kind of clip art as a guide. You can obtain pictures of whatever you desire from across the internet for free, by doing an image search. Also, numerous clip art pictures come with the standard Microsoft packages; check those to see if there's anything you like. When you've found the picture you want, print it out to a size suitable for the glass you wish to paint.

Then, cut the picture out and slide it into the inside of the glass – the picture should be facing outward, so you can see the image through the sides of the glass. Secure the picture like this in place with tape, which can easily be removed later. Then, paint on top of the glass which the picture is behind, using the original image as a perfect guide. When done, remove the paper picture from the interior of the glass, and oven bake the paint to ensure a perfect finish. In no time at all, you will have stunning unique wine glasses which are ideal gifts or just something fun for your own cupboard.

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