Methods for creating holiday window art
You can also find answers to questions I get in email by visiting my new FACEBOOK page here. Using facebook was a great way for me to answer some of the more UNcommon questions plus share PHOTOS of past windows I’ve painted around town.
What type of paint & brushes do you use for window painting?
Our patterns were designed for the home painter and can be used with ACRYLIC CRAFT PAINTS because of the ease of use, color selection, low cost, weather resistance and easy cleanup. However, TEMPERA can also be used if you prefer. I prefer tempera. Keep in mind that temperas will run if hit by heavy rain so you may want to consider painting from the inside when using these.
Basic Acrylic Craft Paint – If you are just doing a small home window using any of the “basic” acrylic craft paints such as DecoArt’s Americana or Ceramcoat will work fine. DON’T use acrylics that are designed for painting on glass as they are INTENDED to be permanent and can be difficult to remove after the holidays. The basic ordinary craft paints are what you want.
Tempera Paint – My personal preference for windowpainting is ProArt Tempera. I used it almost exclusively in my window painting business. It has excellent coverage, the colors are vibrant and it flows on well. I love working with it.
Pay attention to the labels. If the tempera is labeled “Washable” or “For Kids” it will not have as much pigment as the higher artist quality but if you will be working with young children “washable” is probably a good choice as it washes out of clothes easier. And don’t forget drop cloths with little painters.
Available online from Varneys. and Jerrolls Bookstore in Ellensburg Washington. I asked Jerrolls if they would ship and they said yes but you may have to contact them by email or phone. I am not an affiliate of either company.
Brushes – The most wonderful for painting on glass are Loew-Cornell GOLDEN TAKLON in either a �” or �” for filling in color and their Golden Taklon liner brush for doing the outlines. Synthetic white brushes also work. Natural hair or very soft brushes will work but not as well as the other. For large areas of color the one inch sponge brushes are also nice (especially with kids) as well as being inexpensive.
Optional: Garden Craft Terra Cotta Marker (6mm BLACK) We just recently discovered these and they work great for outlining and because it is acrylic based it washes off easily just like regular acrylic. They have also recently come out with a broad tip marker in basic colors but we haven’t had a chance to experiment with those for filling in with color.
Available online from Durable Supply Co. (I am not an affiliate)
Film on window. You may have a heavy film on the window. See the answer above for cleaning windows before painting. There are times, but not often, when no amount of cleaning will keep temperas from peeling. Either switch to acrylics or use an undercoat of white latex wall paint.
Here it is. the SUPER EASY CLEANING METHOD for painted windows. “You get someone else to do it. ” That’s my favorite method, but. okay, so we know that’s not always going to happen (it’s always worth a try.) So here’s the SECOND BEST way to clean painted windows. Take it from someone who has had to clean a LOT of paint off windows, this is a piece of cake.
1. Wet the windows using a spray bottle of window cleaner or straight water. The key here is to get the paint wet enough so the water will soften the paint with out soaking the window and making huge puddles at the bottom. (If you used temperas you may want to place some paper towels at the bottom to catch the drips.)
Give the water time to soften the paint, re-spraying as necessary to keep it wet, usually a full minute or two.
2. When the paint has softened, use a straight edge (razor if you are an adult) or a credit card to scoop the loosened paint off the glass. Acrylics will become like a soft plastic. Wipe it onto a rag or paper towel. When most of it is removed, wash the window again like you would normally do with window cleaner and paper towels. SEE?! All done and ready for the next holiday!
How do you determine how much to charge for painting windows for a business?
I must get asked this particular question more than any other. It’s a very good question, and one that has been very difficult to answer with exact numbers since there are so many variables. Such as your own personal abilities, the standard of living in your area, etc, etc. But the following method will work in all situations.
Holiday Window Art
Holiday window art doesn’t require great artistic skill. The designs you’ll find on traditional Christmas cards are enough to get you started.
Think back to last year’s Christmas season. Remember the colorful window art painted on supermarkets and restaurants? Well, no matter how crude and misshapen those holiday symbols might have appeared, someone was probably paid to paint them, and–this Christmas–some of that money could be yours. Fortunately for those of us without the Rembrandt touch, this profession doesn’t require much talent or experience. All you’ll need to set yourself up in business is a bit of inspiration (uncomplicated, traditional Christmas card designs can provide it) … plus a little practice (try your skill on your own windows at home) and some salesmanship.
Customer Contact
Though you can begin lining up customers as early as September and October, there’s still time this year to head for supermarkets, restaurants, service stations, car dealers, beauty salons, and so forth to make your pitch.
As with any interview, be sure to be polite, organized, and neatly dressed when you ask to speak to the establishment’s manager. Explain how your colorful designs, characters, and greetings can add a fine holiday spirit to his or her premises. Though most people will prefer to leave the creative decisions up to you, listen carefully to any ideas your prospects may have, and carry a small note pad and pen to jot down important details.
Be prepared to quote a fair price. I’ve found that $10 to $15 is about right for decorating one 6′ X 8′ window (depending on how much time the job takes). Usually, it’ll be best to suggest a price range. For example: “I can do those three windows and the sliding door for $35 to $45. The job will include putting ‘Season’s Greetings’ on the middle window, a Santa and reindeer on the two outer windows, and candles and holly on the door. I’ll fill in any gaps with holly and ribbons.”
Before you close the deal, be sure that both you and your customer know exactly what you’ll be painting, how much it will cost, and when you’ll do the work. (The day after Thanksgiving isn’t too early to begin … and if you’re still painting New Year’s decorations on Christmas Eve, hurray for you!) Then, a few days before the date agreed upon, call and remind the customer that you’re coming.
Don’t be discouraged by folks who refuse your services. You may talk to some 25 or 35 business people and end up with only half a dozen skeptical okays. But word will travel quickly once you begin work, and you’re very likely to have other offers … even from the same people who turned you down at first. During my initial season in this holiday trade for instance, I started with five stores and ended up doing 15!
Remember, too, that the first couple of jobs may take forever to complete, and you’ll wonder why you ever got into what seems to be a $1.50-an-hour racket. But within a few days your confidence and speed will increase dramatically, and you’ll be breezing along at a pace that will earn an easy $6 to $10 an hour.
Job Requirements
To accomplish your mission, you’ll need fast-drying, powdered, tempera paints which will usually cost less than $2.50 for a one-pound jar or can. (Don’t settle for the tiny, expensive containers of premixed liquid tempera. And never use any oil-based paint because–while it does withstand sleet, snow, and rain–your customers won’t be pleased when they attempt to remove it.)
Purchase a variety of colors: red, green, black, yellow, white, and blue at least. For painting on glass, you’ll have to dilute the powder more than the directions indicate, as too thick a consistency will crack and peel when it dries. On the other hand, the paint will run if the mix is too; you’ll want to experiment at home until you get it right. And you can make the mixing job easier if you first put the powder through a flour sifter to get out all the lumps. (Some people even use a blender to stir up large batches of tempera and water.)
Empty plastic margarine or whipped-topping bowls make good paint containers. The snap-on lids prevent colors from drying out overnight, and you won’t have to empty and clean them every day. Tempera, however, does have a tendency to thicken as you use it, so carry a jug of water with you for thinning the mixture.
Begin your pane painting by drawing the design’s outline with a grease or glass-marking pencil, since–if you need to make a correction–it’s a lot easier and neater to rub off a thin line than a big streak of unwanted, half-dried paint. (Incidentally, provided the window is well shielded from rain or snow, I find it easier to paint on the outside than on the inside of the glass. Again, practicing at home will enable you to work either way.)
For applying the colors I recommend sponge brushes (which are available at paint and hardware stores), because they are inexpensive, can be purchased in a variety of sizes, and are easy to clean. To draw very fine lines, though, you might want to try using a small watercolor brush.
Finally, you’ll need a stepladder. (A sturdy box might do if you’re not reaching too high.)
And that’s about all the start-up information that’s necessary. By this time next year, you’ll probably be able to give me a few pointers on this cash-producing, creative endeavor!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Christmas is probably the most lucrative season for window painters, but keep it in mind for other holidays like Easter and Halloween … and be sure to let your customers know that you can deck out their establishments for sales promotions, too!
Continue Reading
Related Articles
6 Easy Gifts to Make With Beeswax These charming beeswax crafts, including DIY food wraps and homemade fire starters, make for simple yet elegant gift-giving ideas for friends and family.
How to Make Watercolor Paint from Flowers Upcycle deadheaded flower parts into beautiful, natural watercolor paints that are a cinch to make.
Handmade Holiday Gifts: Ideas From Our Facebook Friends From homemade soaps to flannel heat packs, finding the perfect handmade holiday gifts to make for loved ones just takes a little inspiration.
- Published on Nov 1, 1981
