When you are looking to buy pattern books for stained glass there are so many to choose from.
The big thing is to find the stained glass pattern that inspires you.
Look at a pattern, imagine cutting the glass pieces out.
Are the pattern pieces easy to cut. Do the lines make sense from the stained glass artists view.
Do you like the joins and the way the pattern is designed?
When I draw my designs, I look at each line carefully and try to imagine the finished stained glass piece.
Especially with stained glass scenics where there is sky or mountains or water. I try to ‘see’ the end result in glass and if I am not happy with a line, I will redraw it until I am satisfied.
I enjoy the process of designing patterns. I am not trying to rush just to get more patterns out there.
I am always in a process of wanting to create new stained glass pattern concepts that will bring the stained glass artist inspiration and satisfaction in the finished stained glass piece.
I suggest to the beginner artist. Don’t be afraid to take on a stained glass pattern that you really want to build.
Choose an inspiring pattern that you are comfortable with then go for it!
Also, look at all the lines in the stained glass pattern that you plan to build. Maybe you like 98% of how it is and you want to tweak 2% of it to your own taste.
With the beginner stained glass artist, some patterns may look to intimidating to take on.
The truth is some of them are. I’ve bought many pattern books for stained glass in my lifetime and they are my inspiration but some of the books I have purchased are ‘for inspiration only’.
I have built a couple of large stained glass windows and they had a whole new set of challenges attached to them.
When you view those massive, breath taking stained glass installations,you cannot help but have a ton of respect for the artists that created them.
I am grateful to all the artists that have made stained glass books available and I am very happy to have invested the money in the many stained glass books I have in my own library.
Most of the patterns I have in my stained glass pattern books are very do-able, even for the beginner.
I try to design my patterns so that the pieces are not too difficult to cut.
You need to be mindful of stained glass patterns with pieces that have circles or curves, waves or strong angles.
Some patterns in my pattern books for stained glass will require that you use a small grinding head to accomplish the detail on the cut glass piece. This is just a part of the process as you venture out into more complex patterns.
Continue to enjoy being creative and making beautiful stained glass art!
