Glue Chipped Glass

This intriguing technique uses hide glue to chip off flakes of glass from a panel leaving a fern-like chipped pattern.

HOW TO PREPARE THE HIDE GLUE

The recommended hide glue is mixed at a ratio of 1:1 dry glue to water by volume.
By weight it is 1:2, glue to water.
The glue is made in the same manner you would use for genuine glue size for gesso or woodwork.
Heat (don't boil) in a double boiler or microwave, then spread to a thickness of 1-2mm.
A thicker layer will create a larger chip pattern. Some artists recommends 1.5oz dry glue per square foot of glass.
In metric measurements this equates to about 400gm glue/800ml water per square meter.

HOW TO PREPARE THE THE GLASS

Sand blast the area of the glass to be chipped. This provides some tooth for the glue. Spread glue to the required thickness on these areas. This can either be done by cutting the extraneous glue away from the edge or by the use of asphaltum on the negative area which acts as a resistive to the glue. Keep the glass panel in a warm place or in the sun and the chipping happens as the glue dries over the next half a day. Clean the glass and gild or paint as required.

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