How to create stained glass art | Creative Bloq

paladin stained glass window digital art tip — See how Sara Forlenza created the striking stained glass for her painting of a medieval paladin

I start by drawing the shape of my glass that will be included in an arched window. Then once Ive decided on the subject, I use a large, hard-edged brush to simulate the strips of lead that hold the glass together.

paladin stained glass tips — Once I have the line art, I choose Multiply in the layer options, and add colour on another layer below it, so that the lead strips stay black.

I adjust the perspective and set the glass to a Screen layer. This results in all elements that are black taking the colour of the background, while everything that’s a light colour appears brighter – just what I need!

Paladin stained glass window — When transforming the image of the glass I take into account the perspective using Edit> Transform>Distort

Watch the full tutorial

Words: Sara Forlenza

Sara creates art for book covers, cards and RPGs. After many years with traditional techniques, she was introduced to digital art. It was love at first sight.

This article originally appeared in ImagineFX magazine issue 112.

Like this? Read these...

How to design a set for an animated film
How to create a striking manga character
Free Photoshop brushes every creative must have

The Creative Bloq team is made up of a group of art and design enthusiasts, and has changed and evolved since Creative Bloq began back in 2012. The current website team consists of eight full-time members of staff: Editor Georgia Coggan, Deputy Editor Rosie Hilder, Ecommerce Editor Beren Neale, Senior News Editor Daniel Piper, Editor, Digital Art and 3D Ian Dean, Tech Reviews Editor Erlingur Einarsson, Ecommerce Writer Beth Nicholls and Staff Writer Natalie Fear, as well as a roster of freelancers from around the world. The ImagineFX magazine team also pitch in, ensuring that content from leading digital art publication ImagineFX is represented on Creative Bloq.