Dab the sponge into the glass paint and blot it once on a paper towel to remove the excess. Sponge the paint onto the outside of the votive in a patchy, irregular pattern, concentrating it toward the base and leaving the rim area lighter. Work around the whole votive before moving on. The coverage should be uneven from the start.

Before the paint dries (work within two to three minutes), tear a small piece of paper towel and press and lift it against some of the painted areas to remove paint in irregular patches. This is the step that creates the smoke effect: the contrast between denser and lighter areas is what the eye reads as depth. If the paint has dried before you wipe back, simply sponge another thin coat over it and wipe that one back instead.

Let the votives dry fully, then cure them according to the instructions on the paint bottle. Most glass paints either air-cure over 21 days or oven-cure at a low temperature for 30 minutes. Oven curing is the adult step if you choose it; follow the paint manufacturer's temperature exactly.