Glass Painting Master Class w/ Jonathan Cooke (8-11 May)

Glass Painting Master Class with Jonathan Cooke
Working with contour, grisailles, silver stains and enamels
8-11 May 2026 (Friday-Monday, 9.30-16.30 each day)
in Voorburg, NL

Master the secrets of traditional glass painting!

PELI Glass is pleased to welcome world-renowned conservator Jonathan Cooke who will lead an intensive 4-day master workshop at PELI Glass based on his glass painting manual Time and Temperature. Jonathan will demonstrate and teach his techniques, discuss materials, tools, and firing schedules.

He is especially skilled in working the techniques of multiple layers, painting in such a way that allows the sparkle of the unpainted base glass to shine through – a characteristic of stained glass of previous centuries. Working with unfired paint layering will encourage your creative process and increase your expertise for restoration projects. Participants will learn to compare/contrast the technique of multiple layers with the technique of multiple firings as there are visible differences in the finished piece.

The first part of the workshop will focus on contour/grisaille paints and the second part will focus on enamels and silver stains: an exploration of materials and techniques for use principally in traditional glass painting using a range of paints, stains, transparent and opaque enamels, a range of media and mixing techniques, application and firing regimes to achieve differing effects and outcomes. Skills and knowledge acquired will be applied to workshop projects.

Topics covered include:
– Paint sorts, mixing and media
– Paint mixing and application, loading your brush, using vinegar, the effect of gum Arabic
– Painting using lavender oil, copaiba balsam oil, and clove oil
– Choosing, using and caring for your brushes
– How to trim your natural hog hair brushes
– Firing programs, the how and why
– Demonstration of pen (‘ruling’ pens) use
– Using sticks and quills to create lights

This course is suitable for those with at least some experience of and competence in handling a brush. Glass painting experience would be advantageous. Places are limited: group learning sessions are complemented by attention to each individual ‘s unique project and exploration of the material.

As it is best to learn with your own materials, participants are required to bring (or may purchase on-site):
• 1x professional badger brush (preferably 3″) for grisailles
• 1x round badger brush (preferably approx. sizes 4, 6, 8) for shadows
• 1-2x pointed sable contour brushes
• 1x flat matting brush (squirrel, pony, camel or goat hair), approximately 1 ″, the longer the hair the better, for application of water and vinegar mixes
• 1x flat matting brush (synthetic), approximately 1″, the longer the hair the better, for application of oil mixes
• At least 1x palette knife
• Stippler brushes, natural hog hair, (to make shading in grisaille), at least 3 different brushes, with different hardnesses and sizes
• Apron or suitable coverall to use when working.

Optional to bring, if you have:
• 1x professional badger brush (preferably 2″) for stains
• Pen (‘ruling’ pen)
• Painting bridge
• Any other brushes, small sponges and small items of equipment you use or have found useful

Materials can be purchased at PELI Glass or elsewhere. Sizes are approximate, it’s the general sort that is necessary – we can use almost anything that’s close.