Stained Glass for Beginners

Course details

Week 1

• Introduction to the art of stained glass (key artists, techniques, styles*)
• Walkthrough of course plan and what students should expect to produce. (Beginners will each complete a simple sun catcher panel and can then choose a simple panel to affix to a window, but ideas such as screens, boxes and ornaments are options also).
• Explore key terms, tools, and safety procedures that will be used throughout *
• Introduction to glass types and cutting techniques (dispelling the “fear” of glass)

Week 2

• Choosing a design (sample designs, design principles)*
• Making a template
• Colour and texture combinations

Week 3

• Cutting glass to chosen template
• A closer look at glass cutting techniques (straight and curves)
• Applying copper foil to glass pieces
• Copper foil versus lead came (Introduction to leading)

Week 4

• Laying out and soldering glass pieces
• Finishing your (first!) stained glass piece

Week 5

•  Tackling a more complex design
•  Examining techniques used by well-known artists

Week 6

• Students choose a sample object from a selection of options and spend week 6, 7, 8 completing their designs with hands-on support from the tutor.

Week 7

• As above

Week 8

• Course round-up
• Safety tips for home projects