How To Mix Glass Stainer's Paint Into Ink To Draw or Write With

Today we wanted to share this valuable glass "painting" information from Kristina at http://www.finefolly.com/.  She posted this information on 4/26/2011 on the Lampworketc.com forum.  The pictures of her work in progress and completed are simply wonderful!


I just got this question and I thought I would share the answer in case anyone else is interested in the information on mixing "ink" to use with a quill from Glass Stainers Paint. Please let me know if you have questions or I haven't been clear enough.


THE STEPS & INFO:

You need to mix the dry Stain paint with pure Clove Oil to use it with a quill.

You need to have an inkwell or candlestick holder ready to put the "ink" into. Put a teaspoon or so of dry stainer paint on your glass mixing-surface. Then use an eyeglass dropper to put maybe 1/2 teaspoon of Clove Oil or less on the paint and mix it together using a spatula.

Keep adding Clove Oil in drops and mix until the grit is gone (5-10 minutes with a spatula). You want a thick ink. Scrape it onto your spatula with a razor blade and pour it into your inkwell from the spatula blade. 

When you are done using the ink, cover the top of your inkwell with a piece of Duct Tape or some type of wide tape cover to keep dust out. 

It will form a thick layer on the bottom of the inkwell after sitting over night or all week. Stir it up before you use it the next time, and then keep mixing your ink in the inkwell as you work because it will separate. Thin with more Clove Oil in the inkwell if needed. If you let your ink work sit and dry overnight it can be scraped with a fine pointed X-acto knife to clean off any wobbly lines or thick areas. I tighten up my line work that way before firing. Fire based on the instructions for the Stain you are using.


Hope this helps. Please ask if you need more information. You can see an example of a drawing being inked on glass below with the pattern under it as it is being inked. I use a soap dish to tilt my inkwell on, and hold my ink quills in case I want to change size as I ink.



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Thank you everyone. It's such a glorious art that I feel we should share and help others come along when we can.

Yes, I use the Reusche paints. I have also used China Paints and they are a finer grind. This is useful for flesh coats by the way. That's what I used for the flesh coat on this piece.