Current Projects

Occasionally we are given the opportunity to put our best foot forward and create new windows in the traditional painted style. The current project features two windows for a church in Southern Alabama scheduled to be installed in the Fall of 2016 featuring Abraham & Isaac in one, and Moses in the other. Unlike many studios, at Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios the artist has complete artistic control of the process and is “hands-on” through out. We feel this provides our clients with the best possible outcome artistically, not one that has been watered down for the sake of expedience.

It all begins with a color sketch or rendering. Below we have the Artist’s rendering for the Abraham and Isaac drawn at 1″=1’0″ scale.

Abraham and Isaac Rendering for a current commission.
It all begins with a scale rendering, usually drawn at 1″ = 1’0″ scale. In this case the theme is Abraham and Isaac.
Once the scale rendering has been approved the next step is to enlarge the scale drawing to full size, creating the working cartoon that will be used throughout the process of creating the window.

Full size cartoon development.
The artist starts by creating a full size layout of the window then using a B & W copy of the approved rendering hand draws the imagery by hand. We have reverted back to hand drawing the cartoons rather than the quicker photo enlargement process as we feel this provides a less mechanical more natural looking window.

Developing the full size cartoon is a key aspect of creating a noteworthy window.

The finished full size cartoons.

Finished Full Size Cartoon
The finished full size cartoon is the road map to creating the actual window. This pair is for a commission do to be installed during the Fall 2016.

Once the cartoons are complete, a tracing is made to create the patterns needed to cut the glass. We cut the glass on a light table and lay it on a copy of the cartoon to watch the color evolve and work out the subtle fades, contrast, and other attributes necessary to create exceptional windows.

The glass is cut and laid on a copy of the cartoon.
The glass is cut and laid on a copy of the cartoon.
Once the glass is cut, trace lines are applied to create the strongest of the graphic imagery. Once the trace lines are applied the painted glass is placed in the kiln and fired for permanence. These lines provide the foundation for the subtle halftones to be applied in the final stages of painting.

When the light table is illuminated the color can be checked and adjusted if necessary.
When the light table is illuminated the color can be checked and adjusted if necessary.

Once the trace lines have been fired into the glass, the panel window is “waxed up” on a clear glass easel with bees wax, and placed in the window easel to be painted in natural light. At this stage a final color check is performed to assure the window read as intended in natural light.

Using bee’s wax the cut glass is waxed up onto a clear glass easel.
Using bee’s wax the cut glass is waxed up onto a clear glass easel.

To increase the interest and ultimately the beauty of the window the glass is carefully selected to accomplish certain visual effects. The “ram” in this case, is cut from a textured hand-blown glass uniquely appropriate to represent the texture of the ram’s coat.

Selecting the appropriate glass is a must.
Selecting the appropriate glass is a must.

The beauty of a stained glass window is truly accomplished by properly selecting both the type and color of the glass. Our windows are created almost entirely from hand-blown German and French antique glass. We maintain a very large inventory of hand-blown glass from around the world, including glass from factories long ago closed and now defunct.

Using various shades of flesh tones allows for a more interesting window.
Using various shades of flesh tones allows for a more interesting window.

Applying the halftones and details to the window is accomplished first by covering the glass with dark paint, often referred to as matte paint. The paint is applied wet and allowed to dry. Once dry, brushes, picks, needles and a host of other instruments are used to scratch through the paint.

Hand painting the window in natural light.
Hand painting the window in natural light.

Painting on glass amounts to controlling the amount of light that is allowed to come through the colored glass. Most artists start with a white canvas and apply color to create the imagery, stained glass artists’ start with a multi-colored canvas covered in black and illuminated the imagery by scratching through the black.

Painting requires patience and a vision of the intended final product.
Painting requires patience and a vision of the intended final product.

Detail of the angel before painting…

The background is blacked out while the trace lines are refined.
The background is blacked out while the trace lines are refined.

…and after painting. Silver stain applied to the aura and other areas of the window creates rich yellow to amber color allowing further decoration of the glass. Hair brown has been also been added and fired into the glass to further delicate the hair from the flesh.

Detail of the Angel before firing the glass in the kiln.
Detail of the Angel before firing the glass in the kiln.

Flesh colored flashed glass is used to create the face of Moses with his white hair and beard. Flashed glass is a type of glass that consists of a base layer color with a thin veneer of another color. In this case a clear base layer with a thin veneer of flesh. Acid is used to etch through the veneer color, in this case flesh, and expose the clear base layer.

Painting on glass really equates to controlling the amount of light that comes through the glass.
Painting on glass really equates to controlling the amount of light that comes through the glass.

Prior to putting the glass in the kiln and firing the paint into the glass, both windows are set in the easels and reviewed for balance.

Both windows are displayed at the same time to assure color balance.
Both windows are displayed at the same time to assure color balance.

Once the glass has been painted and fired, the pieces are assembled with lead channels that are carefully fitted together and then soldered at the intersecting joints. Like all aspects of creating a noteworthy stained glass window the craftsmanship of the final assembly is key to providing a window equipped to last the test of time and generations of enjoyment.

Soldering the lead came used to assemble the finished pieces of painted glass.
Soldering the lead came used to assemble the finished pieces of painted glass.

Once the window is assembled and cemented, the almost completed window is detailed and cleaned on a light table. This is a very important part of our quality control process and assures all windows are as they should be before they leave for their final home.

The finished window viewed on a light table during the final cleaning and detailing phase.
The finished window viewed on a light table during the final cleaning and detailing phase.

Detail of the finished window depicting Moses.

Detail of the finished window illustrating the use of acid etched flashed glass to accomplish the hair and beard of Moses.
Detail of the finished window illustrating the use of acid etched flashed glass to accomplish the hair and beard of Moses.

Completed Abraham and Isaac window during final cleaning, detailing, and quality control inspection.
Completed Abraham and Isaac window during final cleaning, detailing, and quality control inspection.

Detail after final cleaning and inspection.
Detail after final cleaning and inspection.