Mulranny workshop

Alison Mac Cormaic

Mosaic artist - Educator

Alison Mac Cormaic

Mulranny Kiln Fired Glass Painting

Mulranny Arts, Mulranny, County Mayo, Ireland

25 -27th July, 2025

In this workshop, students will create contemporary grisaille glass panels, a technique that was first developed during the 13th century. Grisaille stained glass is characterised by its use of black on clear glass with limited color, allowing more light to pass through while showcasing fine drawn lines and intricate detail. Students will make drawings of flowers and plants found in the garden at Mulranny Arts or, if they prefer, use photographs and images as references. These drawings will then be transformed into glass-painted pieces using traditional vitreous glass paint, resulting in contemporary depictions of flowers. The completed pieces will be framed and can be hung in a window to be admired against the light.

This stained glass panel is made with vitreous glass paint, yellow silverstain and red and blue enamel

These examples are made on clear glass using vitreous glass paint for shading against the light

To find out more details or to book go to:

https://www.mulrannyarts.com/kiln-fired-glass-painting

Mulranny Arts and Culture Centre is housed in the town’s old convent. Established in 2021, it includes a range of specialised studios and accommodation buildings with stunning views across Clew Bay. The centre has a fully equipped studio with space for twelve participants. Here Cheryl Cobern Browne, Mulranny Arts’ founder, talks about her experience of the GSoI three-day flameworking workshop.

Students will learn how to:

• Trace their designs

• Mix the correct consistency of the paint

• Work with different paint mediums

• Apply the matt paint layer

• Control the brushwork on the smooth surface of the glass

• Use a badger brush to apply the layers of glass paint evenly

• Draw against the light into the dry matt layer with a range of brushes and implements

• Use silver stain an enamels

• Fire the glass

Programme

Day 1

Morning: Students spend the first morning drawing plants using charcoal. Alison will demonstrate the drawing techniques that she uses when drawing from life.

Afternoon: Students select and develop a drawing for their glass painted images. The main lines of the design will be traced through to the glass using glass paint mixed with vinegar.

Day 2:

Morning: A layer of glass paint will be added to the line work, this ‘matt’ layer will be worked into when dry.

Afternoon: Students begin a second experimental mark making piece using glass paint.

Glass is fired in the kiln overnight.

Day 3:

Morning: Students add further matt layers for added shading.

Afternoon: Building up of textures and layers in the contemporary glass piece. Silver stain and coloured enamel will be added to the artworks.