Painting on glass is super fun and satisfying at the same time. With your creativity, you can turn any ordinary glassware into art. Glass paint is designed specifically for this purpose. However, if you don’t have any glass paint and only have gouache paint, can gouache paint be used on glass?
Gouache paint is a semi-translucent and vibrant paint medium that can be used on different surfaces, including glass. However, you have to apply layers of primer on the glass surface before painting with gouache.
Glass paint can be used without any difficulties if you want to try your hand at glass painting. In this article, I will talk about how to use gouache paint on glass and seal the paint to make it durable.
Will Gouache Paint Stick On Glass?
Gouache paint, like watercolor and acrylic, is a water-based painting medium. Because the glass surface is plain and smooth, it adheres to it easily. As you might already know, the paint must have a base that allows it to adhere to the glass surface. So, use a primer on the glass surface as a base. In fact, applying primer is important for any painting project.
You can apply the primer with a brush or spray it on the glass. It will take one to four hours to dry and adhere to the glass. The primer creates a slightly rough surface. Thus, the paint can stick to the glass surface.
How To Paint With Gouache On Glass?
Even on glass, gouache paint looks vibrant and beautiful. You can use it opaquely like acrylic paint or transparently like watercolor by diluting it with extra water. Window glass, glass jars, fishbowls, wine glasses, ceramics, and any other type of glassware can be painted with gouache. You may even paint on glass panels and display them as glass art.
If you want to try your hand at gouache painting, all you have to do is pick some glassware to get started. So, let’s learn how to paint a glass jar!
Here are the materials you will need to paint with gouache on the glass jar:
- Primer
- Gouache Paint
- A paint palette
- Water
- Paintbrush
- Sponge
- Cloth
- Glass jars
- Latex gloves
- Sealant
Once you collect your materials, you should choose a place to paint with a good amount of natural light. Painting with gouache is simple, and it can be cleaned super easily with water. So, you do not have to take extra measurements to keep the painting area covered.
Steps to paint a glass jar with gouache paint:
Step 1: Clean the Glass Jar
Before you paint on the jar, you have to thoroughly clean it. There should not be any dirt or grime on the surface of the jar where you are going to apply paint. You can use hot soapy water to clean it. After washing, let the jar completely dry.
Wear latex gloves and rub the dried glass with alcohol or vinegar to make it glossy and clean. Then let it dry again.
Step 2: Apply Primer
When your glass jar is dry, it is time to apply some premium primer on the outer side of the glass jar. If you plan to paint the jar fully, apply primer all over it. You can use a wide brush to apply the primer or use a primer spray.
Also you will have to decide if you want transparent or fully covered painting. If you want a transparent painting, you will have to look for a transparent primer. If you want more vibrant colors, then white primer will be a perfect fit for your painting.
Hold the spray 12 inches away from the jar and spray. Based on the quality of the primer, it is better to let it dry for one to four hours. It will help the color adhere to the jar and be long-lasting.
Step 3: Prepare the Paint
Now, it is time to prepare the paint. Make sure to take good quality gouache paint. You must have an idea of what you will paint on the jar by now. So, take the color palette and mix the colors of your choice.
Also, you have to decide on the painting style. If you want brighter and darker colors on the glass, you need opaque paint. So, do not mix too much water into the gouache paint. On the other hand, if you want the color to be transparent, thin down the paint with more water.
Step 4: Paint The Jar
Gouache and watercolor brushes are the same. You can use any synthetic or natural bristle brush of your choice. But synthetic brushes can leave stroke marks on the paint. If you do not want that, choose a soft natural bristle brush. They cover the painting area well and leave smooth strokes.
Make sure the brushes are clean when you use them to color the jar. After finishing painting with each color, wash off the color from the brush, and use it for new colors. Otherwise, the colors will get mixed.
If you fear mixing wet colors in the jar, wait a while to let the color dry and then paint with another. Even if you make some mistakes while painting, you can easily clean the gouache with a damp cloth or sponge. Just dab the paint with water and wipe it off. Then repaint as you like. After finishing the painting, let the jar dry in the natural air.
Step 5: Sealing Gouache On Glass
You should definitely use a sealer to protect the gouache paint on the jar. It will prevent the jar’s color from fading or flaking off too quickly. You can use a brush-on or spray-on sealant. The brush-on sealant may take a longer time to dry. In the case of a spray sealant, apply it 12 inches (30 cm) away from the jar.
Spray in a back and forth motion to apply the sealant evenly to the glass jar. For brush-on sealant, make sure the sealant is applied all over the paint. Do not coat the same spot multiple times. Try to make an even distribution of the brush strokes.
Let the glass jar dry for 24 hours in natural air. Finally, you will have your first gouache painted glass jar.
Can You Bake Gouache Paint in an Oven?
What if you do not have sealant to seal gouache paint? Well, you can bake the gouache-painted glassware in the oven to seal the paint. However, make sure the glassware or ceramic is oven-proof. Otherwise, it will break in the heat.
When you finish painting the glassware with gouache, wait at least 12 hours to let the color completely dry and stick to the surface of the glass.
Then, place the item in the oven and turn on the oven. Set the heat to 350 degrees F. Now let the item bake for 20 to 30 minutes. After that, turn off the oven. Then, wait for the item to cool down. Baking gouache on glassware will also seal it and make it durable, just like using a sealant.
Advantages Of Using Gouache On Glass
There are some advantages to using gouache paint on glass. Because gouache paints are bright and opaque, you’ll get vibrant color and artwork on your glass. Furthermore, they are less expensive than acrylic paint. So you won’t have to spend a lot of money to learn to paint with gouache on glass.
You can use gouache to practice glass art as it is easy to clean. Once you learn to paint on glass, you may switch to glass paints or acrylic. Just water is enough to blend the colors. There is no need for other expensive mediums.
Disadvantages Of Using Gouache On Glass
Gouache paint is not as durable as acrylic or glass paint. The paint on the glassware may fade, crack, and flake sooner than acrylic or glass paint. So, they should be kept away from too much sunlight and heat.
Besides, gouache is water-based. As a result, it may come off when it comes into contact with liquid. Therefore, you can use gouache-painted glassware only as decorative items.
Conclusion
So, can gouache paint be used on glass? The answer is, yes. As you can see, gouache is a great color medium to experiment on glass surfaces. It is easy to use and provides beautiful colors and thus, you will have lots of fun painting with gouache color on glass.
Thanks for stopping by!
