From Parisian villas and Mughal and Rajput architecture to the present day drawing rooms, beautiful glass paintings adorning the ceilings and windows have always been cherished in our homes.

Learning to make these beautiful glass paintings has also become quite a rage today and the steel city too is not lagging behind.

Learning the art

Jamshedpur has a many artists actively involved in teaching as well as making glass paintings for a long time now.

Archana Gupta?s classes: Archana has come up with a one-week course in glass painting. Nominally priced at Rs 500, the charges, however, vary, depending on whether a candidate is keen to learn intricate or simpler designs. Not just a teacher, Archana also encourages collection of glass paintings in houses, and therefore has people placing orders with her. She can be reached at: 1 - D.B. Road, Nildih, Jamshedpur.

Anindita Roy?s classes: Another city based artist, who is also into teaching glass paintings to art enthusiasts, Anindita is a hobby-teacher with the Fevicryl company. She conducts regular workshops at schools on behalf of the company. Apart from the workshops she also takes regular classes at her residence in Sonari and Sakchi. As painting is a passion for Anindita, she teaches her students for free. She could be reached at: 62 D, 7th Phase North, Adarshnagar,Sonari or at 24, Aambagam Road, Sakchi.Anindita says it is not compulsory for a candidate to know drawing if he/she wants to learn glass painting. Anindita teaches her students through the readymade drawing kits available in the market. And that?s perhaps the reason why she can teach a person in just a few hours.

Lalita Mawal?s classes: She runs an art school for ladies at her house in Kadma and also teaches glass paintings. She conducts the classes only in the month of May. One can learn five varieties of glass paintings. She uses glitters, beads, crystals, water and chemical-based colours to paint. Some of her paintings have 3D effects too. She charges Rs 300 for the course and can be reached at S/6, 69 - B.H. Area, Road N0-7. Kadma.

Sanjay Gupta?s classes: A professional art trainer from Gaya, Sanjay teaches glass painting only to art-teachers in the city. He visits the city almost every month and conducts these classes at different places.

The Jamshedpur School of Art: Also teaches glass paintings under its hobby courses. It is difficult to say how much time it takes to learn this course as it depends solely on the candidate. The hobby course is available for Rs 200 a month and is held twice a week except on Saturdays and Sundays at Jamshedpur School Of Art, Farm Area, Kadma.

First Hand

The other side of glass

Archana?s work is rather traditional and she does not teach just about every body. ?I will first have to decide whether or not the student eager to learn has the ability to draw free-hand, following my instructions,? she says.

Though readymade kits are available in the market, Archana prefers the handpainted drawings.

?It is a misconception that glass paintings are expensive. In fact, I strongly believe that it is affordable by people of all income-groups,? says Archana. ?It is a lot of fun, and my students are especially happy when their work is appreciated,? Archana signs off.