Embellishing a Mirror with Paint

by Veronica Smith
(AmericanArtisanArt.com)

Mirrors can be decorated in many different ways, including with paint. Painting methods can vary, including simply painting the mirror frame, embellishing the reflective part of the mirror itself with paint, or even covering most of the mirror with paint, leaving only small portions of the reflective part visible to create an artistic piece of wall art. You can apply acrylic paints directly to the mirror surface with a paintbrush to create patterns, or use one of the methods below to create interesting effects.

Painting Mirror Frames

Wood mirror frames are generally the best candidates for painting, but you can also paint metal frames if you use enamel designed for metal surfaces.

When painting a mirror frame, the first thing you need to determine is if you can remove the mirror from the frame. If so, carefully remove it and set it aside in a safe place, so that you don't risk getting paint on the mirror itself. If you cannot remove the mirror, then cut out a piece of kraft paper or cardboard in the shape of the mirror, and attach it to the face of the mirror using painter's tape, so that the surface will be protected. If you do happen to get a few splatters of paint on the mirror, you will need to remove them carefully with a razor blade.

Sand the old finish lightly so that the new paint finish will adhere better. Then, lay the frame flat, face side up, on a protected tabletop and spray it with a light coat of paint. When dry, give it another coat to provide better coverage and durability. You can also brush the paint on a frame, and embellish it with details using a fine brush if desired.

Creating a Stained Glass Mirror

You can create an attractive stained glass look around the edges of a mirror to add a beautiful decorator touch. You can either create your own free-form design, or trace from a pattern onto the mirror, using blue tracing paper.

Remove the mirror so that the frame will be protected, and lay the mirror on a protected work table. Mark your pattern on the mirror using the tracing paper. Apply adhesive leading strips over the blue lines then seal the joints of the leading strips with liquid leading, which will give the appearance of soldered joints. Let dry for 24 hours, then paint the designs onto the mirror with glass paint that is specifically designed to create a stained glass look. The paint will look cloudy when you first apply it, but it will be transparent when dry. Let dry for 24 hours then apply a coat of sealer that is designed for use with the paint.

Stencil Painted Mirrors

You can create beautiful painted designs on a mirror by using a stenciling technique. Cover the face of the mirror with adhesive contact paper. Draw or trace a design, such as some flowers, onto the paper. Then, using a very sharp Exacto knife, cut the shapes out and remove the inside portion.

Use a mini paint roller to apply acrylic wall or craft paint to the stenciled areas. Allow to dry for a few minutes then apply a second coat for better coverage. Then very carefully peel the contact paper off, being careful not to smear the paint. If it does smear a bit, it can be easily cleaned up with a razor blade after the paint dries. You can also scrape the entire painted design off of the mirror at any time without harming the mirror if you change your mind or want to create a different look.

Writer/Designer, Veronica Smith, writes for AmericanArtisanArt.com and has many ideas for bringing the beauty of contemporary metal wall sculptures and artisan metal wall sculptures to your interiors.

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