Kids of all ages will love creating glossy stained glass artwork with Sharpie markers and photo paper.
If you’re looking for easy art techniques for kids, you’ll love this one. We just LOVE Sharpie projects here, and today, we’re creating glossy, vibrant stained glass art with Sharpies and photo paper!
This simple art project is great for all ages! Toddlers can doodle with their sharpies on a piece of slick photo paper, and older kids and grown ups can get really creative making vibrant colourful designs and pictures like the these!
I’ve never actually seen photo paper used as an art canvas before; it was something I came up with by accident.
I was trying to think of an art project that the hooligans could make and frame for Mother’s Day, and it occurred to me that photo paper would be perfect for framing. After all – photo paper is meant to be framed, right? So I was turning that thought around in my brain, and that’s when it hit me: SHARPIES and photo paper.
I know how smoothly a Sharpie slides across a plastic surface, and I wondered if it would do the same on a glossy piece of photo paper. I tried it out, and ohhhh myyyy. It sure does!
And with the photo paper being glossy, the shine and intensity of the marker ink was just gorgeous! That’s how the idea for this unique art project was born!
To make Sharpie Art with Photo Paper, you’ll need:
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links.
Note: we LOVE these Glam 80’s Sharpies. It’s such a great colour collection.
Creating our glossy stained glass art:
If you’re working with young children, you’ll want to protect your work surface with a plastic table-cloth or newspapers. Sharpie ink is permanent, and if your little one happens to scribble outside of his photo paper, you want it staining your table top.
It’s probably a good idea to have your child wearing clothing that you’re not too worried about too.
To create their art, the hooligans drew whatever they wanted on their photo paper. Colouring on photo paper is a such a cool experience. The markers glide so smoothly over the glossy surface!
For my art, I used a black sharpie to make my outlines, and then I filled the areas in with the colours of my choice.
Aren’t they cool?
These photos really don’t do the project justice because you can’t actually tell how glossy and reflective the artwork is. You’ll have to take my word for it. They really do look like stained glass.
As you can tell, I found this art process to be a little addictive!
Pop your photo paper into a frame to display or give as a gift.
More Cool Art Activities:
- Starry Night with Melted Crayons
- Sharpie & Rubbing Alcohol Bookmarks
- Glue, Salt and Watercolour Art
- Mess-Free Smoosh Painting
- Paper Towel Art
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Becky
That was a wonderful idea. We will do that for Father’s Day or their anniversary.
A. Kennedy
Hello:
I wanted to thank-you for your idea with markers. I have been trying to find a way of creating a cover for my book that I have written. The stain glass idea works well for what I am trying to do.
A. Kennedy
happyhooligans
Hooray! I’m so glad our activity will help you!
Kathy
Did you have problems with it smearing? Did you have to allow drying time mid-project to avoid that?
happyhooligans
Not at all, Kathy. The ink dried immediately.
Daniela
This is great! Can’t wait to try it with my boys.
http://www.aznannies.com
Rebecca M Ford
You could print pages from coloring books on it to color with the sharpies also. One of those stained glass pattern books would make pretty designs.
happyhooligans
Good thinking, Rebecca!
larsonl25
Dabbing rubbing alcohol on cotton clothing will remove Sharpie and then you just launder as usual – found it from this website – http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Permanent-Marker – I needed to figure out after getting a nice blue streak on my shirt from someone not capping a Sharpie while at work…..BTW LOVE this idea! I now have another reason to use my stash of Sharpies for lovely art!
happyhooligans
Thanks for the tip! That’s news to me!
Jackie
THanks. Cool idea. I also found the following for removing permanent markers (I couldn’t post the image, so will just re-type): Clothes – use hand sanitizer; Walls – use toothpaste or hairspray; Wood – use rubbing alcohol; Carpet – use white vinegar; Furniture – use milk; Whiteboard – use dry erase marker or pencil rubber; Ceramic or glass – use 1 part toothpaste with 1 part baking soda.
happyhooligans
Great tips, Jackie! Thanks for sharing!
Amber
I love this! I cannot wait to try this!! I immediately went to the links provided and ordered the supplies. Thank you!
happyhooligans
Wonderful, Amber!! Thank you! I hope you have fun with it!
Leigh
Love this idea. The art department at my daughter’s elementary school did a similar project on Shrinky Dink paper. They hung several of their designs from a piece of painted wood, turning their artwork into beautiful sun catchers/wind chimes.
Beth
Thanks for the great idea! I have 300 sheets of Royal Brites glossy photo paper that has some kind of flaw in it; smudges, when it goes through the printer. Must be old or an off brand. Anyway, my school wanted to get rid of it and I selvaged it, hoping I could use it for an art project. Looking forward to trying your project next school year. (c=
happyhooligans
Awesome! What a SCORE for you!!
Shanna
I wonder what would happen if you dropped alcohol onto the photo paper after coloring? Like with the bookmark project? My daughter and I are working on home-made gifts so I may have to try it and see!
happyhooligans
Great thinking, Shanna! I’d love to try that too!
Cheryl
I have done this with the extra laminating film that you get when you run paper thru. It’s a good way to recycle.
Leila Meadows
I have several old barn Windows but i am not a painter and I was wondering if tho would transfer to glass with Mod Podge I am a beginner with alot of crafting stuff especially when it comes to transferring. I would love to create these vibrant colors on glass with out having to paint
happyhooligans
I’m not sure I understand what process you’d be using to transfer them to glass, Leila. Can you elaborate?
Catherine Duncan
Will give the sharpies ago with the grandkids stained glass here we come
Arif
Hello,
Does it work with acetate paper, plastics, PVC or acrylic sheets?
Cause I want transparency.
Jackie Currie
I’ve only used opaque plastic, so I don’t know, Arif. So sorry!