Technique

Reverse Painting on Glass

“Inside, backward and upside down”, that’s how it’s done.

Glass is a beautiful medium to work with. I first became enamored with this process after visiting an antiquities exhibit. Reverse painting has been used for centuries yet it’s fairly unknown in present-day art.

Reverse Painting on Glass is the process of painting on one side of clear class with the purpose of the completed painting being viewed from the opposite side.

Because of this, the painting is approached from the foreground first and the background is completed last.

The technique I developed involves the use of water-based paints and sealers only. Firing or heat processes are not involved as in more traditional approaches. My technique allows anyone to learn it without investing in complicated equipment.

Three-dimensional vessels are painted in reverse from the inside. Two-dimensional work is painted in reverse from the backside.

My process involves multiple layers of paint as each color added can affect the color underneath. This quality gives a depth of color and character unique to each piece.