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How to Do a Stained Glass Light Sculpture

Create a stained glass light sculpture by projecting colored light and shapes onto a 3D or 2D surface to re-create the look which occurs when light shines through a stained glass plate. The interpretation of this type of art can be as literal or abstract as you wish: You can either directly recreate the look of a stained glass window or use the principles behind this medium to create light paintings. You need a basic understanding of theatrical lighting, specialized tools and equipment and a surface to project upon to create a stained glass light sculpture.

Things You'll Need

  • Sketchbook
  • Colored pencils
  • Lighting instruments
  • Rigging poles
  • Floor mounts
  • Light board
  • Colored gels
  • Light frames
  • Gobos
  • Wrench set
  • Craft knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Design the sculpture on paper first. Rigging a light sculpture is a very technical process. It wastes time and resources to "improvise" with lighting elements. It is best to have detailed design map to assist you in rigging the lighting.

    • 2

      Create your gobos. Break your pattern down into shapes and make frames or gobos which will fit together to create the sculpture when it is projected.

    • 3

      Hang your lights. Stage and art lighting hang on a ceiling rig, poles or floor mounts. Use your wrench set to attach the lights to the rigging you have at your disposal (or create your own rigging.)

    • 4

      Insert the gobos, frames and colored gels into each lighting instrument.

    • 5

      Wire the lights back into your light board. Theatrical and artistic lighting is controlled from a light board which is operated by a lighting technician. Each light is assigned a channel and a dimmer which controls the strength, intensity and destination of the light.

    • 6

      Focus your lighting instruments. Focusing will require a partner or two to assist you; preferably you'll be able to stand back and look as the lights are focused so that you are sure you're getting the effects you want. Have a friend operate the board for you and another friend in the rigging to adjust the lights as needed.

    • 7

      Plot out the lighting sequence. A lighting sequence consists of a series of cues and changes. Unless your stained glass light sculpture is static (not moving or changing), you'll need to plot out these cues and program them into the light board. Another option is to have someone manually control the light board and change the lights on a specific "cue count," moving the lights in time to music.

    • 8

      Test the stained glass lighting sculpture to make sure it looks as you want it to. Adjust the lights as needed.

Sculpture

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