Can you paint on mirrors using oil paints? Yes, you can!
Many artists like to use surfaces other than canvas or paper for painting. Even though acrylic paints are better for painting on glass, you can use oil paints for this purpose.
Oil paints are best for porous surfaces, such as canvas or wood. But, this doesn’t mean that you can’t use it on smoother surfaces.
The trick to painting on mirrors with oil paint is to properly prep the surface of the mirror before you begin painting. This is going to ensure that the paint will adhere to the mirror.
Continue reading if you are curious about learning how to paint on mirrors with oil paints.
Clean the Mirror Before You Begin Painting
Before you begin painting on a mirror with oil paint, you need to make sure the surface of the mirror is perfectly clean. This will keep the paint from peeling or cracking once they have been applied.
You can use soap and water to clean the mirror. I also suggest cleaning the mirror with other solutions, such as isopropyl alcohol or acetone. You can also use Windex for this purpose.
These solvents will remove any remaining dust and dirt that may linger even after cleaning the mirror with soapy water. Be sure to wear rubber gloves while cleaning the mirror so you don’t end up leaving any fingerprints behind. Fingerprints will show up after you have finished painting and ruin your art.
Once you clean the mirror, make sure that you allow it to air dry before you begin painting. Do not try to dry it with a cloth or a paper towel, because this is going to leave streaks behind.
Create a Texture On the Surface Of the Mirror
As I already mentioned, oil paints work better on a textured surface. So, to ensure that your artwork is going to last, you will need to create a texture on the surface of the mirror before you start painting.
There are a couple of methods you can use to create a texture.
#1. Use Fine Grit Sandpaper
Some artists like to use very fine grit sandpaper to rough up the parts of the mirror that they are going to paint on.
Using fine-grit sandpaper will give you just enough texture to ensure the paint sticks to the mirror. It will also help the mirror to keep some of its surface translucency.
It is important to make sure that you wear a respirator mask and safety goggles if you are using sandpaper on a mirror. Minute bits of glass can come flying off, and you don’t want to breathe in these particles or get them in your eyes.
You should also work outdoors while sanding a mirror. This will ensure that those tiny particles of glass don’t end up on your table or other surfaces where you could end up cutting yourself or getting splinters.
I don’t care for using this method. To me, the sound of sandpaper on anything is a lot like fingernails on a chalkboard, and it sends shivers down my spine!
#2. Prep the Mirror With Gesso
Gesso is a medium that every artist should have in their arsenal of painting materials. While it is usually used to prime canvases, it can also be used for most other surfaces, including mirrors.
The trick is to use the right type of gesso. Most gesso is dyed white, which is ideal for painting on canvases but not so great for painting on mirrors.
Using a white or colored gesso will defeat the purpose of painting on a mirror in the first place. It will cover the mirror and you won’t get the effect you are looking for.
But, don’t give up all hope when it comes to using gesso. There is such a thing as clear gesso, and this is perfect for painting on mirrors and glass.
Clear gesso has no dyes. You simply need to apply one to two layers of clear gesso to make your oil paint stick to the surface of the mirror and you won’t lose any of the original qualities of the mirror.
Use the Fat-Over-Lean Technique
Once you have cleaned and prepped the mirror, it is time to start painting. When you are using oil paints, it is important to use the fat-over-lean technique, just as you would when painting on a canvas.
This technique involves using thin layers for the underpainting. Then, you can start painting thicker and thicker layers as you go until you are finished.
This is important because oil paints go through a natural oxidation process. If the layers on top are too thin, there is a good chance that they will crack over time.
Always keep in mind that a mirror is not going to have any give like a canvas has. If you are not using the fat-over-lean technique, you will likely end up with a painting that is going to crack and peel.
Apply a Final Coat Of Varnish
Once you finish painting, allow the oil paint to dry for at least a few days. Once the painting is dry to the touch, you will want to add a final coat of varnish to protect your work.
This will be necessary if you want to display your artwork, which is the whole idea behind painting on the mirror in the first place. I recommend using a spray varnish so you don’t end up with visible brush strokes.
Conclusion
As long as you follow the directions I have laid out for you in this post, you should have no problem painting on mirrors with oil paint. Until you get the hang of it, I suggest buying a few small, cheap mirrors at your local dollar store to practice on.
Once you get used to painting on these smaller mirrors, you can move on to larger projects. I just love the look of a large mirror with a nice pattern painted around the edge to create a border, and yes, you can do this with oil paints.
Sari Green is a semi-professional artist and professional writer. She has been hosting paint & sip parties for the past couple of years, and truly enjoys helping other people to create their very own masterpieces. She loves to create, and you never know what she’s going to come up with next!