Art Workshops

Art on Glass Workshop at Just Like Home Senior Citizen Center:

The senior citizens learned how to create reverse paintings on glass with the assistance of student volunteers. We provided materials such as design templates, glass frames, markers, paint brushes, and acrylic paint to the senior citizens and explained the process of the project. We supervised the senior citizens and assisted them to complete the project. The seniors traced images on glass frames using stencils and used acrylic paint to finish their paintings. The seniors enjoyed a stress relieving project while bonding with each other in a relaxed environment and were thrilled to showcase their finished products at home. Throughout the workshop, the seniors learned creative freedom and expression. The workshop was then published in the local monthly magazine in the local community’s first language for their September edition.





How to complete this project:

Materials:

  • Picture frame/piece of glass

  • Permanent black marker

  • Acrylic paint

  • Paint brush

  • Picture to paint/trace (stencil/template)

  • Glass of water

  • Paper towel

Steps:

  1. Remove the glass from your picture frame and put aside the frame backing (make sure the glass is clean).

  2. Find a template for the painting you want to paint (or you can draw your own).

  3. Place your picture flat on a table with the glass on top. Place the glass where you would like the design to be. Tape the edge of the glass to the paper.

  4. Trace the design using your black marker.

  5. Start painting your highlight colors first (small dots, highlights in white, dark shadows, small details).

    1. This is a reverse painting, so what you would normally paint last on your painting, you are now painting first.

    2. Repaint your highlights a few times to make the colors vibrant and solid.

    3. Allow drying between coats.

    4. Make sure to wash the paint fully off in the water before switching colors.

  6. Slowly paint each color section. Paint your lightest colors first and your darker shades last. Make sure to let the paint dry between each coat.

  7. You can turn the glass around and hold the glass up to a light or window to see where more paint may need to be added to make a solid color. Repaint the spots that you can see through.

  8. When you’re done, make sure the paint is dry by lightly touching it. Once dry, turn over your glass and be amazed at your creation!

  9. You can put the glass back in the frame with the side that has no paint on the outside. Place a piece of black construction paper behind the glass (the side that you painted on) and put in the back/stand piece of the frame.

  10. Optional: Disregard step 9 and place glass back into your frame and glue the glass in place with a hot glue gun dot in each corner at the back of the frame (leave out the black construction paper and back piece of frame).

Finished Product