ART 292 & 492– Painting on Stained Glass
(3 Credit Hours)
BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
(3 Credit Hours) TTh 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 p.m. Woodburn 302
Lab Hours T Th 4:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.
Syllabus
Instructor: Ann Porter
Office: W304A
Office Hours: M, T, W, Th 3:00 to 4:00
Phone: 642-6275
E-mail: annporter@bhsu.edu
Course Description: Explores the use of stained glass as a fine art medium. Projects will start
with a refresher on construction techniques using lead came and then progress to include painting
and firing glass.
Prerequisites: None
Description of Instructional Methods: This is a studio class. The student will be required to
generate artwork to fulfill assignments given. There will be a critique after each assignment.
Course Requirements:
Suggested (not required) Texts:
Elskus, The Art of Painting on Glass Art in Architecture Press, 1980
Wardell, Introduction to Stained Glass, Wardell Publications, 2000
Supplementary Materials: List follows
Class Attendance: An atmosphere of general enthusiasm is important to your own
success as well as the success of your classmates. Poor attendance will result in a poor
grade or outright failure. Of course, accommodations can be made for documented
illnesses or family emergencies.
 If you have a cell phone that interrupts the class or if you use your cell phone
during class—even out in the hallway—it will count as an absence for the day.
 Being present means showing up on time ready to work with the attitude and the
materials you need to be productive.
 If you miss more than 4 sessions, you will receive an automatic “F” unless you
drop this course.
Lab Session Attendance: All studio classes require a 3 hour per week lab session
(Scheduled lab times are Tuesdays, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.). Attendance at these Lab Sessions
is encouraged rather than mandatory. Alternative times must be arranged through the Art
Department faculty and the studio instructor.
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy: Any evidence of academic dishonesty will result in
an “F” for the course and the Instructor of this course will adhere to the Policy
Governing Academic Integrity found in the BHSU catalog.
Make-up Policy: All assignments must be done on time to receive full credit.
Assignments up to one week late will have a grade reduced by one letter. Assignments
later than one week will not be accepted. There are no extra credit options in this class.
Of course, accommodations can be made for documented illnesses or family
emergencies.
BOR System General Education Goals: GOAL 4: STUDENTS WILL UNDERSTAND AND
INTERPRET THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH ARTS AND HUMANITIES.
Required Student Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate knowledge of the variety of
values, beliefs, and ideas embodied in the human experience through assigned art
projects and class critiques. Assessment: written teacher evaluation based upon concept,
technique, and presentation
Required Student Learning Outcome 2: Identify and explain basic concepts of the
selected disciplines within the arts and humanities. Assessment: written teacher
evaluation based upon concept, technique, and presentation
Optional Student Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate creative and aesthetic
understanding. Assessment: written teacher evaluation based upon concept, technique,
and presentation
Overview of Student Learning Outcomes: The student will develop a basic visual vocabulary
for two-dimensional art. The student will complete specific assignments on topics such as line,
shape, figure/ground, pattern, texture, value, space, scale and proportion. As these formal
elements become more familiar, the student will focus increasingly on composition and concept.
These skills will be assessed by studio projects assigned throughout the semester (See below).
Student Learning Outcomes: The program shall include study of the nature of art and its
meaning and contributions to the individual and society. The program shall develop the
prospective teacher’s ability to describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate works of art; to work as
a professional art educator with pupils of all age groups; to set goals for student learning based
on a clear concept of how art links students to broad human purpose; and to develop the
following capacities:
 Perception - the ability and refinement of fundamental optic and haptic sensory intake.
 Knowledge and Understanding - the ability to absorb visual information, particularly that
which is manifested in visual art.
 Creativity - the ability to produce or create original expressions using a variety of media.
 Reflection/Action - the ability to appreciate art.
Evaluation Procedures:
Assessments: 90% of the semester grade will be based on an average of grades earned on
assignments given throughout the semester (see Calendar); 10% of the semester grade will
be based on the amount of student’s class participation during studio times and critiques.
Performance Standards: Grades for individual assignments are based on the following
criteria:
 Meeting project requirements and deadlines
 Hard work—Are you truly engaged in the making of each project?
 Willingness to experiment
 Quality of work—Concept, Technique, Presentation
Artwork Grading Policy:
A Consistent excellence in all aspects of the course, and/or extraordinary and consistent
development.
B Above average work and evidence of consistent growth in visual organization,
expression, technical skill, conceptual understanding and class participation.
C Average completion of all required work, quality of visual organization,
expression, technical skill, conceptual understanding and class participation.
D Deficient completion of all required work, quality of visual organization,
expression, technical skill, conceptual understanding and class participation.
F Unsatisfactory completion of all required work, quality of visual organization,
expression, technical skill, conceptual understanding and class participation.
Class Participation:
 Class participation and attendance will also affect your midterm and final grades.
 Class participation includes in-class discussion during critiques, asking questions and
willingness to share any information you think would benefit other students.
 Class participation includes working on all assigned projects in class as well as outside
of class. It is important that you share your work by having it in class during the
process of its making. Not only will your working methods offer input to your fellow
students, but you will also receive important input which will improve your own work.
This is not a correspondence course. Without the give and take of shared studio work,
you are missing half the necessary information needed to advance your skills.
ADA Statement:
“Reasonable accommodations, as arranged through the Disabilities Services Coordinator, will be
provided students with documented disabilities. Contact the BHSU Disabilities Services
Coordinator at 642-6099 (room 022 in the Student Union) for more information.”
Academic Freedom and Responsibility
“Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are
enrolled. Under Board of Regents (Policy 1:11), student performance shall be evaluated solely
on an academic basis. Students who take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in a
course of study, and who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards
but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct, should follow the General
Appeals Process as stated in the BHSU catalog.”
Note from the College of Education: This course supports the College of Education’s
conceptual framework, Preparing Professionals for the 21st Century by presenting to students
the knowledge base for the content they will eventually be teaching. Mastery of content in this
course supports INTASC Standard One: Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy. The course also
partially fulfills content requirements for the K-12 Art Standards as per ARSD 24:16:08:31.
Specifically this course covers Standards 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.5, 4.1 and 4.5.
The above procedures in this course are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Cleanliness:
 A clean, well-maintained studio is an important part of making successful pieces of art.
This classroom is a space used by many people. No one likes working in somebody
else’s mess.
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

Pick up after yourself.
Your project grade will be lowered if you don’t clean up after yourself.
Your project grade will be lowered if you use the department’s shop tools improperly or
leave them dirty.
General Notes on Health and Safety:
It is the student’s responsibility to use materials and tools in the way in which they are intended
to be used. Unauthorized use of power tools will have serious consequences.
Students must inform the instructor of behavior that is not responsible and must inform the
instructor of any mishaps or injuries.
Students are advised to wear proper safety protection when necessary.
 Safety glasses are needed when cutting, breaking or building could potentially produce
flying pieces of material.
 Gloves and/or skin protection are needed when using toxic and/or abrasive substances.
 Hearing protection is needed when working around loud noises.
 Respirators are needed when using paint, solvents or other vapor creating substances.
Respirators are also needed when watching or participating in processes that create
large amounts of dust.
Some materials used in the manufacturing of art products are toxic. Carefully read all warning
labels on all products and follow directions. Always work in a well-ventilated area. If
available, select products marked “CP Nontoxic”, “AP Nontoxic” or “No Health Label
Required”. If you have any questions about the materials or the processes being used, please
ask the instructor.
Lead alert facts: lead in stained glass
Unless handled carefully, lead cames and solders used in stained glass and lead lighting can be
a health hazard if lead dust is swallowed or inhaled. Even occasional craftspeople are at risk.
Lead is particularly harmful to the intellectual development of young children.
The dangers of lead in stained glass
Working with stained glass and lead lighting often involves contact with lead fumes and
dust. Any amount of lead fumes or dust is hazardous to your health, and so you should
avoid exposure as much as possible.
Lead fumes occur when the solder is melted, and operating the soldering iron at very high
temperatures releases more fumes than at lower temperatures.
Lead dust can be generated from sawing old frames. The plaster and fillings around the
glass are also a health hazard as they might have absorbed lead over the years.
Working with stained glass
Be careful if you restore old stained glass windows because over time lead cames oxidise,
causing a white powdery coating that rubs off very easily. This powder can be inhaled. It
also sticks to hands, clothes and tools.
Sawing cames can also create lead dust. To lessen the spread of lead dust from cutting old
cames, wet them down before taking apart the old lead-light items, or use alternative
methods such as cutting with a sharp knife or tin snips.
Further details on some basic safety precautions are listed below.
Keep yourself and your family safe
Because stained glass work involves direct contact with lead, pregnant women are
strongly advised to stay away from stained glass activities, not only until the baby is born
but also until they have finished breast-feeding.
It is also essential to keep young children away from working areas, work clothes,
supplies and equipment. Store supplies that contain lead away from children and mark the
labels with safety information. Cases of lead poisoning have occurred when children have
picked up lead particles from their parents’ clothes and cars.
Don't eat or smoke in the work area. Don't work on the kitchen or dining room table. It is
particularly dangerous because these are the very surfaces that you would not want to
have contaminated with lead. Set up in a separate work area.
Be extra careful to wash work clothes separately from the family wash. You should also
shower and wash your hair as soon as possible after finishing work.
In your work area - Try to prevent the production of lead dust whenever you are working
with stained glass and lead lighting. Always ensure workrooms can be:
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adequately ventilated if you are dealing with solvents, but contained to prevent the spreading of
lead dust
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easily cleaned, this means that working on carpets is not recommended. Plastic sheeting, or
newspaper for very small quick jobs, is much safer.
Use a half-face particulate or air-purifying respirator that meets Australian Standard 1716.
It should be fitted with a P1 (dust) or P2 (dust and fumes) filter, both of which capture
small particles of lead. The respirator can be bought from major hardware stores. Replace
the filter regularly.
Wear protective clothing and eye protection at all times. Wash clothes separately from the
family wash, and shower and wash your hair as soon as possible after your work.
Stay clean
Regularly clean all surfaces in the work area by wet dusting or mopping, not dry brushing
or sweeping.
Tools and equipment should be cleaned by wet sponging, not dusting. Clean walls and
windows at least monthly. Use sugar soap, which can be bought from hardware stores, or
tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) from an industrial-cleaner stockist. TSP should be mixed at
the ratio of at least 25g of 5% TSP to each five litres of hot water.
Vacuum only with cleaners equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters
to remove fine lead dust from the workroom. Wet mopping is the next best alternative if a
vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter is unavailable.
Any cloths and other cleaning equipment used should not be used for cleaning anywhere
else, otherwise you could easily contaminate other parts of the house.
http://www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/stainedglass.html
Art-292 & 492 Painting on Stained Glass
MATERIALS LIST
General Materials:
Glass:
 You will need to buy some of your own glass, especially if you want novelty glass or
need large quantities
 S Hooks and Chain
Glass Tools
The Department has some tools, but—depending on your budget—it’s nice to have your own.
 Glass Cutter (Pistol Grip is the most comfortable)
 2 Pairs Combination Pliers
 Lead Dykes
 Horseshoe Nails
 Soldering Iron
 Pattern Shears
 Lathekins (a screwdriver will work if handled with care)
 Hammer
 Sharpie Markers (required)
Drawing Tools (All of these items are required)
 Graph Paper
 Ruler
 Pencil and Eraser
 Masking Tape
Painting Tools (All of these items are required)
 Highliner Brushes (Get at least a Number 2, some other sizes if it’s in your budget)
 Razor Blades and Holder
 Exacto Knife
 Light Box (Artograph Globox Light Box)
Perfect for crafters on the go due to its compact size and many convenient features, this
portable light box is great for a host of crafting projects including stenciling and
embossing. The slanted, illuminated, 5"H × 9"W (13 cm × 23 cm) acrylic work surface
offers superb control and visibility.
A self-locking compartment holds your tools, and the multi-purpose palette is removable
for easy clean-up. Closed, it measures 5 ½"H × 9 ½"W × 3"D (14 cm × 24 cm × 7.5 cm)
and sports a carrying handle. Also includes a 6W daylight fluorescent lamp for up to
8,000 hours of continuous use, and an AC adapter. Optional battery operation (6 AA
batteries not included). CE and UL approved. For ages 12 and up. Made in the USA. 5year warranty.
This retails for $23.88 plus shipping at Dick Blick—the Bookstore in the Student Union
also has some.
Safety Equipment
 Safety Glasses (Department has some)
 Box of Disposable Gloves (This is a must!)
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Bench Brush
Bandaids
For most people it’s nice to have a tool box to carry all this stuff in.
The Department will supply:
 Glass Grinders
 Some of the Glass
 Lead Came
 Zinc Borders
 Flux
 Solder
 Putty
 Whiting
 Cleaning Brushes
 Pigment
 Vinegar
 Palettes
 Work Boards
(If you decide to work very large, you will need to come up with your own board)
You’ll also need some money (About $5.00 or so) on your Ace Card to make copies.
Art-292 & 492 Painting on Stained Glass
CALENDAR
Since this class only meets once a week,
it is important for you to count on working quite a bit outside of class.
Week 1
Review Syllabus and first assignment. Begin drawings
Week 2
Have first drawing done. Be ready to make copies and start cutting glass. Painting demo.
Week 3
Assemble glass and solder. Putty and clean glass.
Week 4
Critique first piece.
Week 5
Have second drawing done. Be ready to make copies and start cutting glass to be painted.
Week 6
Troubleshoot painting. Start cutting rest of glass.
Week 7
Have glass ready to fire. Cut rest of glass for second piece.
Week 8
Assemble glass and solder. Putty and clean glass.
Week 9
Critique second piece.
Week 10
Have third drawing done. Be ready to make copies and start cutting glass to be painted.
Painting demo.
Week 11
Work on value scale for painting
Week 12
Troubleshoot painting. Start cutting rest of glass.
Thanksgiving 11/24
Week 13
Have glass ready to fire. Cut rest of glass for second piece.
Week 14
Start assembling glass.
Week 15 Finals Week
Finish assembling glass and solder. Putty and clean glass. Turn in last project.
No late projects accepted!