window paint

[Dizknee_Phreek]

my manager at Wal-Mart is wanting me to paint the bakery windows. but i've never used window paint and she doesn't know anything about it either. so i was hoping that someone here could give me some incite, such as what kind to use, how to use it, etc. or any other helpful hints you could give me. i'd sure appreciate it!

 

[tigsmom]

Try www.windowwoman.com . I've seen her on tv , it seems really easy. She has kits, pattern books, etc. Good luck!

 

[Tigggrl]

You dont have to use window paint! Tempera is MUCH cheaper, and works as well, unless you want it to look like stained Glass. We actually have used water based acrylics as well, they scrape right off with a razor blade. As long as it is water based, it can be removed. Glass paint is extremely expensive, and sometimes cannot be removed after it dries!
Have Fun!

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

thank you both for the tips! :wave:

Tigggrl, tempera sounds like it'd be the best bet! as you probably know, the Wal-Mart bakery windows are very large (at least a whole lot larger than anything i've ever worked on) and i'm sure the department will have to buy the paint (they'd better not make me pay for it!) so they'll want to go the cheaper route. i don't really want it to look like stained glass. i'm just looking for something that's solid, fairly easy to work with, easily corrected, easy to remove, and doesn't stain the glass.
is all tempera water based, or will i have to look for something special?
again, thanks so much!

 

[Tigggrl]

Your Welcome
All tempera is water based, and really easy to remove or correct...Tou dont have as many color options, so mixing may be involved, but it is the cheapest way to go as well. Acrylics can be purchased in larger quantities, but colors are limited there too. Check the craft paint aisle, Our Wal-Mart has some in the craft dept. Or you can go to Michaels and get it. Have fun!

 

[Lil'mermaid]

I saw in the Crayola Factory although I have seen them in craft stores they have these paint markers made JUST for glass. They are pretty cool.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Originally posted by Tigggrl
Your Welcome
All tempera is water based, and really easy to remove or correct...Tou dont have as many color options, so mixing may be involved, but it is the cheapest way to go as well. Acrylics can be purchased in larger quantities, but colors are limited there too. Check the craft paint aisle, Our Wal-Mart has some in the craft dept. Or you can go to Michaels and get it. Have fun!

yeah, i've messed with acrylics before (that's all we used in art classes in high school) and i don't like them unless they're really watered down. the kind my teacher got were fine (jugs of paint from ________ Blick) but my sister got some in tubes once, and it was much too thick!
i've never used tempera before, but my sister has and she says it's good stuff, so that's definatly the way i'm going! mixing should be no big deal...i had to do it all the time in art class.
but i just now thought....if i could get some jugs of acrylic paint, that might be good, cuz i don't know how much i'm going to need to cover that window....hmmm....oh well, i suppose i'll just stick with tempera for now and see how well that does.
i'll tell my manager tomorrow and check the craft section as soon as i clock in. if they don't have it there, i can pick some up at Hobby Lobby.
thanks!

 

[Lovecraft]

Tempera is the traditional paint used for painting windows (non acrylic poster paints are basically the same thing but premixed)

The good thing about tempera is it washes of with water, you do not need to scrape it off with a razor as you owould if you use acrylics.

Also, if you want to do some cool canvas paintings you can use the temera pigments mixed with egg yolk rather than water and get a nice oil paint like texture. Poor mans paint.

 

[Tigggrl]

IF you get acrylics...get the ones for crafts, not artist quality! I think you will like the tempera tho

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

good deal! thanks guys!

oh, i was going to ask though...when you paint windows, do you usually use something to draw the image on the window first, or do you just go for it with the paint? i imagine one would have to draw the image first before painting it, but what does a person use to draw on a window?

 

[Lovecraft]

I have done it in the past by drawing on large sheets of butchers paper which are then taped to the opposite side of the window to be painted.

Nowadays though, it would be easy to draw outlines with a dry erase marker.

My mother used to use a fine tipped sable hair brush and paint outlines first with tempera on the front of the window (exposed to elements) then "fill" it in from behind. She would then hose down the outside of the window to wash away the outlines.

My guess is whatever means you find feels the best to you is the way to go, I offer the above merely as suggestions to you.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

great! thanks so much, lovecraft! you guys have been more helpful than you'll ever know!

 

[Lovecraft]

You're welcome!

Make sure to take some pics of your window painting to show us... :wave: