Large domestic etched door (Linda)
Glasgow, West End
2013
Private
This large etched door had been accidentally hit by a scaffold pole. It broke into hundreds of tiny pieces. | ![Broken glass Broken glass](../images/img_1/etchd001.jpg) |
Fortunately, the neighbour's door was intact. Thin paper was stretched over the neighbour's dore, and detailed rubbings were made. | ![Rubbing Rubbing](../images/img_1/etchd002.jpg) |
A very large jigsaw was then constructed on top of the rubbing using the broken glass fragments. It was easy to see exactly where the impact had occurred. | ![Jigsaw Jigsaw](../images/img_1/etchd003.jpg) |
A new sheet of 10mm glass was placed on top of the rubbing, and a new cartoon was carefully cut out of fablon, drawn on the surface. | ![Cutting the trace Cutting the trace](../images/img_1/etchd004.jpg) |
The glass sheet was then fed slowly through a sandblast cabinet to deeply etch the design into the glass. | ![First sandblast First sandblast](../images/img_1/etchd005.jpg) |
Some of the fablon was removed, and the glass was fed through the sandblaster for a second time. | ![Second sandblast Second sandblast](../images/img_1/etchd006.jpg) |
A final layer of sandblasting, creating an image made out of different textured layers within the glass. | ![Third sandblast Third sandblast](../images/img_1/etchd007.jpg) |
The size of the glass is approximately 3' wide x 6' high. Here the glass is being fed through the industrial sandblaster. | ![Drawing through Drawing through](../images/img_1/etchd008.jpg) |
After each sandblast, a layer of fablon is carefully removed. | ![Removing the fablon Removing the fablon](../images/img_1/etchd009.jpg) |
A transparent glass enamel is lightly painted into the deep grooves. | ![Painting the clear enamel Painting the clear enamel](../images/img_1/etchd010.jpg) |
This process is painstakingly slow. No enamel must be allowed onto the flat surface of the glass. | ![Painting the clear enamel Painting the clear enamel](../images/img_1/etchd011.jpg) |
The finished painting is exquisitely detailed. | ![Painting the clear enamel Painting the clear enamel](../images/img_1/etchd012.jpg) |
The clear enamel is white before firing, but turns completely clear around 700 degrees Celsius. | ![Firing the glass Firing the glass](../images/img_1/etchd013.jpg) |
Detail of the finished door panel in situ. | ![Finished panel Finished panel](../images/img_1/etchd014.jpg) |
Detail of the finished panel in situ. | ![Finished panel Finished panel](../images/img_1/etchd015.jpg) |
Detail of the finished panel in situ | ![Finished panel Finished panel](../images/img_1/etchd016.jpg) |
Finished door panel, with original side panels, showing a very good visual match. | ![Finished panel Finished panel](../images/img_1/etchd017.jpg) |
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