Faux Stained Glass: 14 Dazzling Window Art Ideas Made From Foil and Markers

Faux stained glass is the craft lighting up everyone’s feed this week. On October 27, a foil and marker stained glass rose passed 340,000 views within hours of being posted. It looks just like old leaded church glass, but it is made with kitchen foil, glue lines and alcohol markers. No glass cutting, no soldering and no special tools. That is the magic. Anyone can make something that glows like a museum window on a sunny afternoon. And with winter coming, there is nothing cheerier than color pouring through a window on a gray day. Below are 14 easy ideas, from a classic rose panel to Christmas trees, snowflakes and ornaments the kids can make. Grab your markers and let’s make some light..

Faux Stained Glass With Foil and Markers

This is the faux stained glass version that has everyone talking. You draw a design on cardboard, trace the lines with thick glue, then smooth kitchen foil over the top. The glue lines pop up through the foil like lead. Then you color each section with alcohol markers, and the foil shines through like real glass. It is simple, cheap and surprisingly relaxing. Start small, with a single flower or heart, and you will be hooked..

You will need: Thin cardboard, a pencil, thick white glue or tacky glue, heavy duty kitchen foil, a cotton swab, a black permanent marker and alcohol markers.

How to make it: 1. Draw your design on cardboard and trace every line with glue. 2. Once dry, glue foil over the whole board and gently rub around the raised lines with a cotton swab. 3. Outline the lines in black and color each section with markers.

Rose Window Panel in Pink, Blue and Green

The rose that went viral is a classic for a reason. Pink petals, blue sky and green leaves look gorgeous with light behind them. You can make it on clear plastic instead of foil so the sun shines straight through. Hang it in a kitchen window and enjoy the soft colors all day. Would you choose a red rose or a pink one?

You will need: A clear plastic sheet or an old frame glass, black dimensional paint or glue mixed with black acrylic, glass paints in pink, blue and green, and a rose pattern.

How to make it: 1. Tape the rose pattern under the clear sheet. 2. Trace every line with the black paint and let it dry. 3. Fill each section with glass paint and hang it in a sunny window.

Faux Stained Glass Lead Lines With Glue and Black Paint

Here is the basic trick that makes every faux stained glass project look real. Mix a little black acrylic paint into white school glue, put it in a squeeze bottle and draw your lines. When it dries, you get raised black lines just like the lead in old windows. It works on plastic sheets, glass and even plastic lids. Ready to practice a few lines?

You will need: White school glue, black acrylic paint, a small squeeze bottle, a clear plastic sheet and paper towels.

How to make it: 1. Mix about one part black paint to four parts glue. 2. Fill the bottle and practice lines on scrap paper. 3. Draw your design on the plastic sheet and let it dry overnight.

Christmas Tree Sun Catcher

A Christmas tree sun catcher brings holiday color to your window from morning to night. Use deep greens for the branches and little dots of red, gold and blue for ornaments. A yellow star on top catches the light first thing in the morning. Make one for every window on the street side, and your house will glow for the neighbors. How many will you make?

You will need: Clear plastic sheet, black glue lines, glass paints in green, red, gold and yellow, scissors, a hole punch and fishing line.

How to make it: 1. Draw a tree shape with black glue lines and let it dry. 2. Fill the tree with greens and add ornament dots. 3. Cut it out, punch a hole at the top and hang it with fishing line on a suction hook.

Poinsettia Panel for a Front Door Window

A red faux stained glass poinsettia on the front door window says merry Christmas before anyone even knocks. Big red petals and green leaves fill the panel with warm color. Make it on a plastic sheet cut to the size of your door glass, and stick it on with a little clear tape at the corners. It comes off easily after the holidays. Will your guests notice it first?

You will need: A clear plastic sheet cut to your door glass size, black glue lines, red, green and yellow glass paint, and clear removable tape.

How to make it: 1. Measure your door glass and cut the plastic to fit. 2. Draw a big poinsettia with black glue lines and paint it. 3. Tape it inside the door glass with removable tape.

Snowflake Mosaic on Old Picture Frame Glass

That thrift store frame with the boring print can become a glowing snowflake mosaic. Take out the glass, draw a snowflake with glue lines, and fill the spaces with icy blues, white and silver. Put the glass back in the frame without the backing so light shines through. Lean it in a window or on a shelf. It is pure winter magic. Have you got an old frame waiting for a new life?

You will need: An old picture frame with glass, glass cleaner, black glue lines, glass paints in blues, white and silver, and a snowflake pattern.

How to make it: 1. Clean the glass well and lay it over the pattern. 2. Trace the snowflake with glue lines and let it dry. 3. Paint the sections and put the glass back in the frame with no backing.

Tissue Paper and Contact Paper Sun Catchers for Kids

This version is perfect for little hands, with no glue or paint at all. Kids stick small squares of colored tissue paper onto the sticky side of contact paper, then cover it with a black paper frame. When it goes up on the window, it glows just like the grown up version. It keeps kids busy for ages on a cold afternoon. Which shape will your kids pick?

You will need: Clear contact paper, colored tissue paper squares, black construction paper, child safe scissors and tape.

How to make it: 1. Cut a black paper frame in a fun shape like a star or heart. 2. Stick the frame to the sticky side of the contact paper and fill it with tissue squares. 3. Cover with a second sheet of contact paper and tape it to a window.

Faux Stained Glass Mason Jar Lantern

A painted mason jar becomes a little lantern when you drop a battery LED tea light inside. The colors glow on the table like a tiny church window. Make a row of them for a holiday table or a cozy shelf. Always use LED lights, never real candles. They are safe for kids and pets and last for hours. What colors would match your home?

You will need: A clean mason jar, black dimensional paint, glass paints, a small brush and a battery LED tea light.

How to make it: 1. Draw simple shapes around the jar with black dimensional paint. 2. Fill the spaces with glass paint and let it dry fully. 3. Drop in a battery LED tea light and switch it on.

Stained Glass Look for a Cabinet Door

A glass front cabinet in the kitchen or dining room can get a jewel tone makeover. Paint a simple pattern straight onto the glass, or make it on a thin plastic sheet and slip it in behind the glass so it can come out later. It hides messy shelves and adds color at the same time. Would you try diamonds or flowers?

You will need: A thin clear plastic sheet cut to fit the door glass, black glue lines, glass paints, a ruler and clear tape.

How to make it: 1. Measure the glass panel and cut the plastic to size. 2. Draw a simple pattern with glue lines and paint it. 3. Tape the sheet behind the cabinet glass from the inside.

Church Window Style Arch for the Mantel

An arched panel on the mantel looks like a piece of an old chapel. Cut a plastic sheet into a tall arch, then paint a simple pattern of diamonds or vines. Stand it in a small wooden frame or lean it on the wall behind your greenery. A battery LED string behind it makes it glow at night. Will you make one big arch or three small ones?

You will need: A clear plastic sheet, scissors, black glue lines, glass paints, a small stand or frame, and a battery LED string light.

How to make it: 1. Cut the plastic into a tall arch. 2. Draw and paint your pattern and let it dry. 3. Stand it on the mantel and tuck a battery LED string behind it.

Faux Stained Glass Ornaments From Clear Plastic Lids

Save the clear plastic lids from takeout containers and deli tubs. They make perfect little faux stained glass ornaments. Draw a star, a bell or a candy cane with glue lines, color it in and hang it on the tree or in the window. They are light, shatterproof and free. It is a smart way to reuse something that usually gets thrown out. How many lids do you have saved?

You will need: Clean clear plastic lids, black glue lines, glass paints or permanent markers, a hole punch and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Clean and dry the lids and cut off the rims. 2. Draw a shape with glue lines and color it in. 3. Punch a hole and add a ribbon loop.

Peel Off Window Paint for Renters

If you rent, peel off window paint is your best friend. It goes on like glass paint and peels away cleanly when the season is over. Draw your lead lines first with black peel off paint, then fill in the colors. It is a cousin of our Christmas window painting ideas and just as fun to do with kids. Which window will you decorate first?

You will need: Peel off window paint in black and bright colors, a paper pattern, tape and glass cleaner.

How to make it: 1. Clean the window and tape the pattern to the outside of the glass. 2. Trace the lines on the inside with black peel off paint. 3. Fill the colors and let it dry before touching.

Faux Stained Glass With a Modern Geometric Pattern

Not every faux stained glass piece needs flowers. Clean triangles and squares in soft colors like sage, blush and amber look modern and calm. Use a ruler and painter’s tape to keep lines straight. It works great on a bathroom window for privacy or on a small hanging panel in a living room. Would you go bright or soft?

You will need: A clear plastic sheet, a ruler, painter’s tape, black glue lines and glass paints in soft colors.

How to make it: 1. Draw a grid of triangles and squares with a ruler. 2. Trace the lines with black glue and let them dry. 3. Fill each shape with soft glass paint colors.

Inspired by Louis Comfort Tiffany

Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American artist born in 1848, best known for his art glass, especially stained glass windows and lamps. His windows, like this one from about 1905, are full of rich landscapes and glowing color. Looking at real Tiffany work is the best way to learn color. Notice how he layers light and dark, and try the same thing in your next faux stained glass project. Which colors would you borrow?

You will need: A notebook, colored pencils, and photos or books of real stained glass windows for ideas.

How to make it: 1. Study a stained glass window and note its main colors. 2. Sketch a simple landscape with a few big shapes. 3. Turn the sketch into your next glue line and glass paint panel.