Painting medium is the fluid used to mix powdered ceramic paint. For instance, some Artisans mix water, and sugar, then add the ceramic powdered paint to this. This then becomes useable 'paint', and can be applied to the glass.

Painting on glass is effortless, and easy to do. But if the wrong painting medium is used, it can turn into a frustrating experience!  There are several reasons for this...

   One is that ceramic paint is not like ordinary paint.  It is crushed glass powder.  Ceramic paint, is made from crushed glass, and metallic oxides.  Attempting to paint with ceramic paint, is similar to painting with finely ground sand !!

     Some Artisans mix oils with the powdered paint. For example clove oil, or lavender oil. However, if painting a rich black line on the glass, because the paint must be 'thick', the line will blister in the fire. This is due to the oil drying out, going hard, and blistering. This is most difficult to correct.

      Water 'crawls' on the glass.   The glass rejects the paint, and this is called 'crawling'.   Adding lots of gum arabic, or sugar to the water and paint, the problem of crawling is eliminated.   But, this will tend to 'craze' and crack in the fire. Water and gum arabic tend to dry too quickly, and are difficult to trace with.

     After many years, we have developed a painting medium, called Mediumwizz, which is simply a miracle if you have ever worked in this field. Mediumwizz is specifically designed to work with glass. A few drops are added to water, and this is then mixed with the powdered ceramic paint.

      Mediumwizz stays wet, and does not dry, until it is in the kiln- even months later.  Also due to its 'oily' quality, using Meduimwizz, one can paint on the glass, and create incredible effects.  By manipulating the paint using scrapers, wooden or rubber painting tools, sponges, and other implements, the possibilities are endless. With Mediumwizz, the blackest blacks are possible, without a hint of crazing, or cracking, or blistering. The lightest most delicate washes are also now completely possible.

For some examples, please view some of our work on this site, all painted with Mediumwizz !