Artists are always trying to push boundaries and explore non-traditional surfaces.

One such surface that oil painters may be tempted to try is glass.

While not exactly a popular surface by any means and extremely rare to find in museums (we were only able to identify one such piece in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s expansive collection), it is still a surface worth exploring.

Today, we’ll go over the necessary steps you should take before attempting to paint with oils on this starkly different surface.

Is Oil Really the Best Medium for Painting on Glass?

To put it simply, no.

Oil paint is best reserved for porous surfaces that provide texture, such as canvas, wood, or cardboard.

However, for many artists, oil paint may be the only medium currently at their disposal. If you have acrylic on hand or don’t mind purchasing a few tubes, we recommend using it instead. Acrylic’s unique composition allows it to adhere to nearly everything with minimal effort.

If you have acrylic readily available, check out our guide for painting acrylic on glass here.

Beyond acrylic, there are mediums specifically designed for glass application, such as Pebeo Vitrea Glass Paint.

If you’re still determined to use oil paint on glass, follow these steps:

Glass Must Be Thoroughly Cleaned

To prevent peeling or cracking of your oil paints, it’s critical to clean the glass thoroughly. While soap and water are great for an initial wash, we also recommend using isopropyl alcohol or acetone to remove any lingering dust or grime.

After wiping the glass with these solutions, let it air dry before applying any paint.

Creating Texture on the Surface of the Glass

For long-term preservation, it’s highly recommended to create texture on the glass surface to help the paint adhere properly. Glass artists often use one of these two methods:

Sandpaper

Using very fine-grit sandpaper, you can generate enough texture for the oil paint to rest while preserving much of the glass’s translucency. Sand the glass on a flat surface, applying firm pressure in a circular motion. Wear safety goggles and a respirator mask, and perform this task outdoors to avoid injury from glass shards.

Gesso

Gesso, a critical component of any artist’s toolkit, is often used as a primer for canvases. It’s an acrylic-based solution that adheres to nearly any surface, including glass. However, most gesso comes dyed white, which defeats the purpose when used on glass. The solution? Clear gesso.

Clear gesso retains all the qualities of traditional gesso without any dyes, making it perfect for glass application. A layer or two of this primer will allow your paint to adhere properly and achieve the desired results.

Liquitex Clear Acrylic Gesso – Perfect for creating texture on glass while retaining translucency.

Important Reminders When Painting Oil on Glass

Painting on a new surface doesn’t mean basic art rules no longer apply. When painting oil on glass, employ the fat-over-lean technique.

If you’re unfamiliar with this technique, ensure that every layer of your piece is fatter than the previous layer. Washes will be your thinnest layer, while underpainting and overpainting gradually get thicker. This is important because thinner top layers may crack with drastic changes, especially on glass, which lacks the flexibility of natural fibers like cotton or linen.

A Varnish to Finish the Piece

If you plan to display your piece, apply a final layer of varnish to ensure its long-term preservation. This step will help protect your unique oil-on-glass painting for years to come!