Last Updated on February 13, 2026 by Dee
There’s something about stained glass patterns that just pulls you in — all those bold outlines and jewel-toned shapes catching the light. I’ve always loved how they turn ordinary windows into art, and it turns out they make gorgeous coloring pages too.
Whether you’re looking for a calming creative escape or you want free printable stained glass patterns for a rainy afternoon project, I’ve gathered 40 beautiful designs in one place. From classic cathedral rose windows to nature-inspired panels with birds and flowers, there’s something here for every skill level.
I’ve put together a free printable pack for you today — grab your 40 Free Stained Glass Coloring Pages right after the table of contents below!
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Table of Contents
Free 40 Stained Glass Coloring Pages
This printable collection includes 40 unique stained glass pattern coloring pages — everything from classic rose windows and cathedral panels to nature scenes, geometric designs, and Art Nouveau florals. Each page has bold, clear outlines that are perfect for coloured pencils, markers, or gel pens.
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What Makes Stained Glass Patterns So Appealing?
Quick Answer: Stained glass patterns combine bold outlines with jewel-toned colour sections, creating a structured yet expressive coloring experience that works for all skill levels.
Stained glass art has been captivating people for centuries — originally found in medieval cathedrals, these designs told stories through light and colour long before most people could read. That same magic translates beautifully to coloring pages.
The thick black outlines (called “came” lines in real stained glass) give you clear boundaries to work within, which makes these patterns surprisingly relaxing to colour. You’re not guessing where one section ends and another begins. And because each section is relatively small, you can experiment with bold colour combinations without committing to a huge area.
If you enjoy coloring pages for adults, stained glass patterns offer that perfect sweet spot between structure and creative freedom. The designs look impressive when finished too — even simple patterns come alive with the right colour choices.
Classic Cathedral Rose Window Designs
Quick Answer: Cathedral rose window patterns feature circular, symmetrical designs inspired by Gothic church architecture, with radiating petals and intricate geometric details.
Rose windows are the crown jewels of stained glass design. These circular patterns radiate outward from a central point, creating those breathtaking kaleidoscope effects you see in famous European cathedrals. The symmetry makes them incredibly satisfying to colour — you can use the same palette across matching sections or go wild with a different colour in every panel.
The printable rose window designs in this collection range from simplified versions with larger sections (great for beginners or if you prefer a quicker colouring session) to highly detailed cathedral-accurate patterns that’ll keep you happily busy for hours.
These also make stunning wall art when you’re done — frame a finished rose window pattern and it genuinely looks like a piece of detailed art for grown-ups.
Nature-Inspired Stained Glass Patterns
Quick Answer: Nature-inspired stained glass patterns feature birds, butterflies, flowers, trees, and landscape scenes rendered in the distinctive leaded glass style with bold outlines.
Some of the most beautiful stained glass patterns draw from nature. Think hummingbirds hovering near flowers, butterflies with detailed wing patterns, or a single tree of life with branches spreading across the entire panel. These designs feel organic and flowing despite the structured outlines.
What I love about nature stained glass patterns is that you can either go realistic with your colour choices (greens for leaves, blue sky backgrounds) or take them in a completely unexpected direction. A purple tree with gold leaves? An orange butterfly on a teal background? The stained glass style makes bold colour combinations look intentional rather than random.
For more botanical-themed coloring inspiration, check out my botanical coloring pages collection too.
Geometric Stained Glass Designs
Quick Answer: Geometric stained glass designs use repeating shapes like diamonds, hexagons, and triangles to create mesmerising tessellation patterns.
If you love clean lines and mathematical precision, geometric stained glass patterns are your thing. These designs use repeating shapes — diamonds, hexagons, interlocking circles, stars — to create patterns that almost seem to move as you look at them. They’re inspired by Islamic geometric art and Art Deco architecture as much as traditional church windows.
Geometric patterns are especially fun to colour because small changes in your colour placement completely transform the look. Colour alternating sections in two contrasting shades and you get one effect. Use a gradient across the whole page and it looks entirely different. Same pattern, totally different mood.
These pair beautifully with zentangle-style designs if you enjoy that meditative, pattern-focused approach to art.
Simple Stained Glass Patterns for Beginners
Quick Answer: Beginner stained glass patterns feature larger sections, simpler shapes, and fewer intricate details — perfect for relaxing colouring without overwhelm.
Starting with a massively detailed pattern when you just want to relax and colour can feel more stressful than soothing. That’s why I’ve included plenty of simpler stained glass designs with larger sections and bolder shapes. Fewer fiddly details, more space to enjoy the process.
Simple doesn’t mean boring, though. A bold geometric panel with eight large sections can look absolutely striking when you choose the right colour palette. And these larger sections are perfect for practising blending techniques with Prismacolor Premier coloured pencils — you’ve got enough space to really work on smooth gradients.
Beginner patterns are also brilliant for kids or for anyone new to adult coloring. Start here, build your confidence, then tackle those cathedral rose windows when you’re ready.
Advanced Detailed Stained Glass Designs
Quick Answer: Advanced stained glass patterns feature tiny sections, intricate details, and complex compositions that provide hours of focused colouring.
Ready for a challenge? The advanced patterns in this collection are densely detailed — we’re talking tiny glass sections, layered borders, and compositions that reward patience and precision. These are the designs you settle into on a rainy Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea and your best fine-tipped pens.
For these intricate patterns, I’d recommend using fine-point tools. Sakura Pigma Micron pens are perfect for adding tiny details, and gel pens work brilliantly for those jewel-toned sections where you want intense, vibrant colour.
If you enjoy this level of detail, you’ll probably love my coloring pages for mental health too — that focused, detail-oriented colouring is genuinely therapeutic.
Best Coloring Supplies for Stained Glass Patterns
Quick Answer: The best supplies for stained glass coloring pages are gel pens, fine-tipped markers, and quality coloured pencils that can create bold, vibrant colours within the outlined sections.
Coloured Pencils
Coloured pencils give you the most control, especially for blending and layering. For stained glass patterns, you want pencils with strong pigment that can build up to intense colours. Prismacolor Premier pencils are my go-to — the soft, waxy core layers beautifully and the colour payoff is incredible.
Gel Pens and Markers
If you want that true stained glass look with bold, flat colour fills, gel pens and markers are the way to go. They give you that saturated, even coverage that mimics how light passes through coloured glass. Fine-tipped markers like Tombow Dual Brush Pens work perfectly for filling medium-sized sections.
Paper Considerations
One thing to keep in mind — if you’re using markers or gel pens, print your stained glass patterns on slightly thicker paper (cardstock weight works well). Regular printer paper can bleed through or buckle with wet media. A good 120gsm paper handles most colouring supplies without issues.
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Tips for Coloring Stained Glass Patterns
Quick Answer: The key to beautiful stained glass colouring is choosing a bold colour palette, keeping the black outlines crisp, and thinking about how colours interact in adjacent sections.
Think About Colour Temperature
Real stained glass uses warm and cool tones strategically to create depth. Try placing warm colours (reds, oranges, golds) in the centre of your design and cool colours (blues, purples, teals) around the edges. This creates a natural focal point that draws the eye inward, just like light through a real window.
Keep Those Outlines Clean
The bold black outlines are what give stained glass patterns their distinctive look. Be careful not to colour over them — those clean “lead” lines between sections are what makes the whole design work. If you accidentally go over a line, a black fine-liner pen can tidy things up.
Try a Limited Palette
You don’t need every colour in the box. Some of the most striking stained glass effects come from using just 4-5 colours and repeating them throughout the design. Pick a palette before you start — maybe jewel tones (ruby, sapphire, emerald, amethyst) or a sunset palette (coral, gold, amber, deep purple).
Add White Highlights
Here’s a trick that makes your finished stained glass coloring look luminous — leave a small strip of white or light colour near the top edge of each section. This mimics how real stained glass catches light from above and gives your flat coloring page a surprising sense of dimension.
Looking for more coloring pages and printable resources? Check out my Payhip shop for premium coloring page collections and creative printables!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best colouring tools for stained glass patterns?
Gel pens and fine-tipped markers give the most authentic stained glass look because they create bold, flat colour fills that mimic coloured glass. Coloured pencils work brilliantly too, especially for blending. For tiny detailed sections, fine-point pens like Sakura Microns are essential.
Can I use these stained glass patterns for crafts?
Absolutely! These patterns work beautifully as templates for real stained glass projects, suncatcher crafts, window clings, or even decoupage. Print them on transparency film and hang them in a sunny window for an instant stained glass effect.
Are these coloring pages suitable for children?
The simpler designs with larger sections work well for older children (around age 8+). The more detailed cathedral and geometric patterns are better suited for teens and adults. Younger children might enjoy the nature-themed patterns with bigger, bolder shapes.
How do I get that glowing stained glass effect when coloring?
The key is leaving a small white or light highlight near the top edge of each section and using slightly darker shading at the bottom. This mimics how real stained glass catches light. Using gel pens or markers with strong pigment also helps create that luminous, saturated look.
What paper should I print stained glass coloring pages on?
For coloured pencils, regular printer paper works fine. If you’re using markers or gel pens, print on 120gsm cardstock or thicker paper to prevent bleed-through. Matte paper gives the best surface for most colouring supplies.
Final Thoughts
Stained glass coloring pages hit that perfect creative sweet spot — structured enough that you can relax into the process, but expressive enough that every finished page looks uniquely yours. Whether you’re drawn to the grand symmetry of cathedral rose windows or the flowing lines of nature-inspired panels, there’s a pattern here that’ll become your new favourite.
Grab both free printable packs, pick your favourite coloured pencils or gel pens, and see what happens. Sometimes the best creative sessions start with someone else doing the design work for you.
Want to see more art techniques in action? Head over to my YouTube channel where I share tutorials every week. Hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!
You Might Also Like
- Free Printable Stained Glass Patterns
- Coloring Pages for Adults
- Botanical Coloring Pages
- Detailed Coloring Pages for Grown-Ups
- Coloring Pages for Mental Health
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