[SML] Stained Glass using Fluorescent or other methods

[Dale Farmer]

Why do you want to avoid back lighting?

for the "stained glass"  That sounds like an ideal use for that file 
drawer full of old lighting gel and the swatch books cluttering up the 
back of your desk drawer.  Cut them out and tape them up with scotch 
tape on the back.  black paint markers for the 'Lead lines".

For behind the thing, find an old torn film front projection screen and 
cut out appropriate sized sheets of the material.  Tighten it up like 
you would a painters canvas to keep the wrinkles out.     Hit it from 
the front with a plain white light that is shuttered down to the exact 
window size.


Dale



n 12/27/2022 1:07 PM, Joe via Stagecraft wrote:
> For a community theater type of project, I am seeking to make several 
> stained-glass panels, approx 2'w x 6'h.  The catch is that I am trying 
> to avoid backlighting it.  I imagine I might be able to use UV light and 
> light it from the front.
> 
> I tried contacting printers, to see if they could do a print using UV 
> inks. But, I didn't find any.  Then, I figured I could do a transparent 
> print, and just put it in front of a back cloth, that is fluorescent. 
> And then lighting from the front would illuminate the fluorescent 
> backing, which would illuminate the transparent print.  However, I know 
> many printing materials, both ink and the substrate, have UV blockers.
> 
> But, since I may have plenty of volunteer labor, I am also looking at 
> DIY approaches.
> 
> I am considering using cotton cloth, which is itself fluorescent. Then 
> paint the lead portions with dark gray t-shirt paint, which will act 
> like the resist used in silk painting. (it keeps the less viscus ink 
> from wicking outside its border). Fill in the colors using plain gelatin 
> colored with food colors. Finally, front lighting it with UV light.
> 
> I was considering gelatin because it is flexible when dry, so I can roll 
> up my stained-glass windows for storage.  Also, all the paints I have 
> seen for making fake stained-glass come in tiny 2 oz bottles, and would 
> cost  much more than the gelatin.  But, I am a little concerned if it 
> would be viable to roll this up and not have things stick.  Or if 
> critters would be attracted to the plain gelatin even if it has no 
> flavoring or sugar.
> 
> Before I dig in, and start with some experiments, anyone have other 
> ideas or suggestions?
> 
> -Joe
> 
>