Handpainted glass.

It is possible to paint on nearly all kind of glass. Most of the time, it´s only the fantasy which sets the limit.
Drinking glasses, bowls, vases, and mugs are common items to paint, but it´s also possible to paint on bottles, plates, and other decorative glass objects.

Painting glass at Kosta Boda

Painted glass must be burned in an oven, and preferably twice.
Glass with different thicknesses is difficult to burn in an oven at same time. When glass is heated it expands, and during cooling it shrinks. The thinnest parts shrink first. This creates tension in the glass and the glass can easily crack or break. The glass must cool very slowly in the oven.

Glass colors exist in all tones and can be mixed mutually.
They can be opaque or transparent. When mixed with oil, opaque paints take on the characteristics of oil paints. The colors get a little bit darker after burned in oven. Opaque colors are often used for trimming and flower decoration.

Transparent colors can be painted in thin layers. The glass will be burned before every new layer is added. It gives the glass a nice, deep glow, as if the color is part of the glass. Transparent colors are well-suited for brush painting.

Lustre colors are fluid and sensitive to oil, so every glass should be cleaned with alcohol before painting. After burning the colors will be shiny. Gold, silver and other metallic colors are considered lustre colors.

Burning
The painted glass is burned in an oven which is designed for porcelain (china) burning. Even a ceramic oven can be used. The oven must be very clean, otherwise the glass can be fasten to the shelves. The glasses can not touch each other or the walls of the oven either. The temperature must reach 580 degrees celsius.