Ref: S5D37980
Learn the basic skills of stained glass and how to use colour and light during the process. You will learn how to cut glass safely and be encouraged to experiment with different colours and glass types and how they work together. Glass painting and sandblasting will be integrated into the process from the first evening, so that your composition will be unique and perhaps unexpected. There will be numerous examples of historical windows provided to help you understand how to put your glass pieces together in a composition or design for the medium of stained glass.
You will make one or a number of stained-glass panels of your design, using some or all of the skills demonstrated, depending on preferences and time available.
Materials and techniques covered: Designing for the medium of stained glass Glass cutting Sandblasting, painting with traditional glass paints and firing glass Leading, soldering, cementing and cleaning up the finished panel
Each stage in the process of making a stained-glass panel will be explained to the whole group on a sample panel. Throughout the course, there will be demonstrations of techniques as the various stages are underway. The tutor expects everyone to work at their own pace, spending more or less time on either cutting and leading or glass painting and sandblasting, as preferred.
Experimentation with design ideas and innovative techniques will be encouraged. You are welcome to bring ideas for projects with you, although an experimental, playful approach works best if you come without fixed ideas. If your idea is for a panel that exceeds 400mm in either direction, please could you make the tutor aware of this in advance, as it will not fit on the leading boards available.
Outline of proposed schedule:
Day 1: Morning: Demonstration of glass cutting techniques Learn how to cut glass, moving from scrap glass to coloured and textured glass types
Afternoon: Demonstration of painting and sandblasting techniques Practise these techniques on glass pieces
Evening: Fire glass pieces in the kiln
Day 2: Morning: Demonstration of leading, soldering and cementing techniques You will have an opportunity to make your practice panel and put all the techniques together. Design discussions to decide on the composition for your panel
Afternoon: Choose coloured glass, painting and sandblasting
Evening: Fire glass pieces in the kiln
Day 3: Morning: Finalise the design of your stained-glass panel Finish choosing and cutting glass
Afternoon: Start leading or continue with painting and firing
Evening: Fire glass pieces in small kilns
Day 4: Morning: Review of painted and sandblasted glass pieces produced Continue leading panels
Afternoon: Final opportunity to use painting and sandblasting techniques
Evening: Final firing of glass pieces in the small kilns
Day 5: Morning: Finish leading panels Solder panels and fill with cement
Afternoon: Clean cement off panels and photograph
By the end of the course, you should have a finished glass panel depending on your design and ability.
Available from shop: A good selection of general art and craft materials, including watercolour brushes and sketchbooks
Available from tutor: On this course, the tutor will supply all of the materials, including coloured glass, lead, solder, glass paints and stained-glass cement. The cost should not be more than £75 per student.
Please note: If you are pregnant, you should consult your GP before enrolling on this course, as working with lead and solder can be harmful to the developing baby.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options
Sasha Ward has worked in architectural glass for thirty years. She trained in stained glass at The Central School, London, then studied Fine Art at Trent Polytechnic, followed by an MA in glass from the RCA. She has her own studio in Wiltshire but also works with manufacturers to produce large scale work for public buildings using a variety of materials and techniques. Her work can be seen in over seventy public buildings throughout the UK.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.
