Workshop Overview

In this workshop, students will create contemporary grisaille glass panels, a technique that was first developed during the 13th century. Grisaille stained glass is characterised by its use of black on clear glass with limited color, allowing more light to pass through while showcasing fine drawn lines and intricate detail. Students will make drawings of flowers and plants found in the garden at Mulranny Arts or, if they prefer, use photographs and images as references. These drawings will then be transformed into glass-painted pieces using traditional vitreous glass paint, resulting in contemporary depictions of flowers. The completed pieces will be framed and can be hung in a window to be admired against the light.

Drawing

Drawing experience is not required, the process is not about perfection and Alison will teach clear and concise methodologies to increase students’ drawing skills. The glass painted pieces need not be directly representational and can be lifelike or abstract, with or without shading, detailed or expressive. Alison says to her students, “for me, the most exciting part of delivering a class is observing everybody's individual styles as they appear. When participants work from their own drawings the designs become very different, with individual characteristics shining through, allowing for personal, singular and unique artworks - the style will be up to you!”

Glass Painting

Vitreous glass paints are made from finely ground glass mixed with metal oxides that when kiln-fired become permanently fixed into the glass. Students’ hand drawn designs will be transferred onto clear glass using both traditional and contemporary glass painting techniques.  Images painted on glass are seen against light so the work will be made using a light box and/or with the glass affixed to a window.  Students will make one main art work and smaller experimental pieces to develop texture and mark making. The glass paint will be fired overnight and the colour will be added by way of silver stain and enamel on the final firing. The last firing will be overnight on day three of the course. The finished painted pieces will be available for collection the following morning or can be posted on.