Colour in glass isn’t added after it’s made: it’s created during production. When molten glass is mixed with specific metal oxides or minerals, these additives alter how light passes through the material, producing distinct hues. The result is permanent colour built into the glass itself, not applied on the surface.

Different elements produce different results. Cobalt oxide creates deep blue, copper can form turquoise, green, or ruby tones depending on firing conditions, and iron oxide produces green and brown shades. Chromium gives a strong emerald green, gold chloride adds red or pink, and manganese can create purple or neutralise green tints. Each element reacts differently to heat and oxygen levels, and we take this into account when choosing glass sheets or preparing kiln-formed pieces to achieve consistent, intentional results.

In our studio, colour can also be developed through fusing or layering glass sheets. This process allows us to combine transparent and opaque glass, control opacity, and create depth within a design. It’s a reliable way to achieve uniform colour in kiln-formed pieces or introduce subtle variation across larger installations.

Another way to colour glass is by painting transparent or colour-based glass with enamels. These specialised glass paints are applied by brush or other techniques, then fired in a kiln to fuse them permanently to the surface. This method allows for fine detail work - facial features in figurative panels, delicate linework, or subtle shading effects that would be impossible to achieve through layering alone.

Colour in glass is both chemistry and craftsmanship. By understanding the materials and their reactions, we can design with precision and intention, choosing tones that work harmoniously with both environment and light.