Experimenting with Bullseye's Color Line Enamel Pens

There is nothing more simultaneously rewarding and frustrating than experimentation.   Experimenting with new products, new methods and new media can make for many sleepless nights.  An incredible fine artist and close friend, Ann Cheeks (anncheeks.com), has joined me on this adventure to elevate glass to another level.

Bullseye Glass' new product, Color Line Enamel Pens, has really brought painting to fired glass. Ann and I are in the process of testing the paints in various firing ranges, color durability, clear capping, etc... but so far, it is an amazing product.  I have included pictures of paint testing both capped and uncapped taken to 1400 and 1465 degrees respectively.  The first picture on the left are prefire test pieces once they were kiln dried (250 deg/30 min).  The center picture is post fire to 1400 degrees--then the  picture on the right is post second fire with a 6 mil clear cap of the two pieces on the right (1465 deg. with bubble squeeze).  There was some slight color loss with each fire, so it may require a second layer of paint prior to capping in order to maintain the clarity and color vibrancy qualities of the first fire.

Ann and I are doing the experimentation in order to do multi-layer fusing (that is near casting in depth) of layers of paint and frit to create depth in glass.  I will provide a chronology of the test samples as soon as the final firing is complete.  Once we understand the product behavior and firing regimen, we will then begin building the full artwork.