Light box?

[Janet F.]

I've been meaning to ask for a while but keep forgetting

Sometimes when I'm glass painting the paint looks ok but when it's dry and I hold it up you can see a couple of places where it's not quite gone to the edge  I make sure I put plenty of paint in and go right to the edge but it still happens occasionally. Its hardly noticable but I know its there and it makes me not happy with it

I wondered can you use a light box to put the acetate on and paint on  Would that help?

[Carol]

I would of thought that the heat from the bulb might make the paint dry too quickly - but  I don't know if it would.  I have done a lot of glass painting - mostly using the plaid system.  With that  I made sure that the bottle tip went right up to the outline.  Cannot you do the same with the paintbrush?  I think it is just a question of breaking the surface tension - if that doesn't sound daft. But Alan is the expert.

[Janet F.]

I'm not sure about the heat from the bulb  thats why I thought I'd ask

as I said I do make sure I put plenty of paint in and make sure the brush goes right to the edges  but sometimes when you hold it up to the light  you can see a couple of places where its not to the edge 

thats why I thought of a light box  I thought the light would shine through so I could see the gaps if there are any as you can't really lift it to the light while its all wet

I haven't got a light box to try it out but would get one if it would work

thanks for your help

[Dawn]

A light box is Ideal for this. They are only a low wattage bulb. our A5 takes a 11watt energy saver bulb which is under thick perspex so the heat isn't a problem.

[Bob]

Alan used to (and I think still does) have a hugh table from Ikea which had a perspex top, he put lights on the legs and shone them upwards.

Will smaller pieces, like small roundles you can just lift them up, flat, when you've done some painting and see if you've missed any bit and touch up whilst the paint is still wet but with larger .pieces and "floppy" items a light box is brill.

The ones is the A&B shop are good for this as they are flat, some light boxes you can get are slopped and you have to prop them everytime you use them.

[Janet F.]

Thanks Dawn and Bob for your replies

It's only smaller pieces that I do so a lightbox would be better for me than a table but its a good idea

I do lift the smaller pieces up but try not to if I can help it always afraid of dropping them after I've painted them

I'll have to put one at the top of my (want) list now