The project

All students are asked to come already with an idea of what they wish to create and if it is possible to share with us by email before-hand. Once in the studio students will complete their design by either free hands or using a plotter, the design will be enlarged to full scale.

Cut lines

Students will learn how to trace cut lines on the design and how to determine the right thickness to leave for the lead strips. The students become familiar will the shapes that can be cut easily as well as identifying shapes that are more challenging.

Glass Cutting

Students will select the colored glass they want to use in their project and with use of a traditional glass cutter, the students will have plenty of practice cutting the glass pieces. Students cut on a glass table following the cut lines, after each pieces is cut, students will learn how to refine the edges of the glass using a grinding machine.

Glass Painting

The student will paint each piece of glass following traditional techniques and using traditional pigments and enamels specifically for the art of stained glass.

Leading

Once cut, the students will learn how to assemble the individual pieces of glass into their panel using lead strips. They will learn how to effectively handle this material in order to follow the shapes of our glass, and the different types of lead strips that are available on the market. After leading the panel the students will weld the lead joints with a soldering iron.

Cementing

In order to strengthen our stained glass panel and to make it waterproof the students will cement their work with a special putty. Students will learn the recipe we use to make the special putty to cement stained glass, how to apply it on the panel and how to clean it off. At the end the panel will be polished with a soft brush in order to darken the lead and the solder joints.

Yours to keep

The final stained glass panel remains the property of the student so they can take their project home with them.