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Reverse Painting on Old Windows

Posted by Julie Sitzema on November 8, 2010 at 6:24am in Questions & Answers for New Members
Hello.  

I have 4 old windows that I would like to try reverse painting on.  (I don't paint at all.)  I'm looking for suggestions on paint type & brushes that I should use.  I like the looks of the reverse painting I've seen at craft shows - the paint is almost translucent.  Any and all suggestions would be helpful.  

Thanks!

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  • Amy Perrier December 25, 2010 at 5:39pm

    Hi Julie,

    I paint reverse glass windows using plain acrylics.  When I'm finished with a piece I spray it varnish.  My oldest painting is only 3 years old but so far so good.  Once in awhile I'll get a little bubble here or there but it's not been an issue.  I heated the area back up with my blow dryer and pressed the paint back down. I don't know how archival the pieces will actually be but they seem to be holding up, even those that are hung outside under eaves.  Hope this is helpful.  Where do you show your work? I'm in northern Michigan.

     

    • Julie Sitzema > Amy Perrier December 25, 2010 at 5:56pm

      This year was our 2nd year of shows.  We're still trying out & finding out about area shows.  So far we've been to Petoskey, Charlevoix, Boyne City, Elk Rapids & East Lansing.  We'd like to try a few in Traverse next season.

       

      Thanks for the info on reverse painting.  I am not a painter but found some really cool old windows at a yard sale.  Not anything that I would try to sell but I'd like to make one for myself & my mother.

       

      I see you're from Bellaire.  We live approx. 5 miles west of Central Lake.  

       

      • Amy Perrier > Julie Sitzema December 25, 2010 at 6:22pm
        I've been wondering about the art shows in TC put on by the chamber.  The NMC show the the Art Center hosts was a really good show for me.  Have you been to the downtown TC shows?  I think one is in Olde Towne but not sure; it's been awhile since I've looked at their info.  What is your medium?
        • Julie Sitzema > Amy Perrier December 25, 2010 at 7:13pm

          We do the Royal Craft Show at Castle Farms in Chx Labor Day weekend.  We have been outside in the courtyard but just secured an inside booth for next year.  That's a really nice show but hard to get an inside space!  I have thought about trying to get in for AppleFest.  But the booth fees are steep for all of the Chx shows in East Park - $165!!

           

          We tried one of the Elk Rapid Chamber's downtown shows & did well.  They have 3 and we will likely do more of them next year.  We are also going to try to get into the Art Rapids show this year in Elk Rapids.  The Boyne City show was a real bummer this year.  We traded up booths for next year but if we don't do better next time it will be our last.  We also were in the Garden Expo at the fairgrounds in Petoskey.  Our best show ever has been the Christmas in Oct. Bazaar in Lewiston.

           

          My husband & I do gourd art.  We make birdhouses, bowls, vases, oil candles, etc...  He handles all of the construction.  I wood burn & dye them.  We have a lot of photos on Facebook.  It's under Pillywiggins Garden.

          • Amy Perrier > Julie Sitzema December 25, 2010 at 7:29pm
            I've seen your work at shows; it's beautiful!  I opted out of the Boyne show this year since I didn't do that great last year.  You would do well to check out Applefest.  It was a great setting and weather this past summer.  Not my best show but nice all the same.  Art Rapids was fantastic for me this year; took Best of Show and People's choice.  In fact, after that show I came home and quit my day job. :)  The Freshwater Gallery in Boyne would probably love to sell your work if it isn't already.  They've been great to work with and I think they sell quite well.  They host a lot of events to bring people in during the slow months.  I'm debating on the summer solstice show in charlevoix.  I'm concerned it might be too much into the fine crafts rather than fine art, but I'm still trying to figure all that out. 
            • Julie Sitzema > Amy Perrier December 25, 2010 at 10:20pm

              Yes, I remember your booth.  Beautiful work & the reason I purchased the yard sale windows!  My friend also has one of your reverse paintings.  

              I seriously do not paint.  My husband even took my roller away the last time we painted our walls.  I expect my results will be somewhere between kindergarten-ish and hideous.  Which is why I'm only doing one for me & my mom!   Mom's love everything.   :D

              When I decorate gourds I wood burn and apply the dye with felt squares or Q-tips.  Haven't touched a brush since high school art class (where I learned painting wasn't my thing.)    :[

              We'll have to swap show info.  Merry Christmas!

      • Amy Perrier > Julie Sitzema December 25, 2010 at 6:01pm

        I'm in Bellaire. I'm thinking we've been to some of the same shows.  I've done the Boyne show, Elk Rapids, Traverse, East Jordan~ that route.  This year I'm hoping for Charlevoix (wait listed last year) and Petoskey. 

  • Jacki Bilsborrow November 29, 2010 at 10:35pm
    Hello Julie. This project sounds interesting. What would you be doing? Would this be to paint on the back side so that the painting shows through the glass? I'd love to see one when it is finished.

    Jacki B
  • Rose Monzyk November 8, 2010 at 8:50pm
    I'd check out something like Cheap Joe's or Dick Blick or Dharma for available paints. Most of the catalogs give additional tips. Dharma will tell you all kinds of info if you call.
    • Julie Sitzema > Rose Monzyk November 9, 2010 at 5:52am
      Thank you. My knowledge of paint doesn't go much further than eggshell & semi-gloss.
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