On Teaching Tiffany Stained Glass in Art School

Abstract

The article describes the multi-layer stained glass making technology, an art technique most vividly reflected in the projects designed and produced by L. C. Tiffany. The present paper is a continuation of the series of academic articles published in the scientific journal Secreta Artis in 2018 and 2019 that reveal the step-by-step process of creating a Tiffany stained glass, from sketch and cartoon preparation to artwork finalization. The proposed method has been tried out and proven in practice: taught to students at the Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts of Sergey Andriaka, the technology is, likewise, used to create original pieces of art, as well as make stained-glass windows as part of various architecture projects. A multi-layer stained glass allows one to significantly expand the glass palette at hand, enrich compositions with exquisite color and tonal effects, which are particularly difficult to achieve in a single-layer stained glass, insert different objects and materials in-between layers of glass. The purpose of the article is to demonstrate to artists, designers, teachers, students and all fine art lovers artistic possibilities of Tiffany stained glass and provide a step-bystep guide to its production. The outlined technique can be applied in a stained glass workshop, with a basic set of tools and equipment. The article formulates key multi-layer stained glass making methods and delineates some of the most typical challenges and ways to overcome them. The methodology is exemplified by L. C. Tiffany’s work in stained glass, along with the artwork designed by the author of the article.