A reverse painting is created by painting a subject onto one side of a sheet of glass (or plexiglass) after which it is viewed from the other side of the glass, or through the glass.

Contrary to painting on a canvas or similar support this technique requires an artist to paint in reverse, or in other words ‘back to front’.

Normally when an artwork is created on a support such as canvas, wood, or even on a wall, it is painted from the same angle and direction that it will ultimately be viewed from when completed. However, in the case of a reverse painting the painted side of the artwork (applied to one side of the glass) and the viewing side (perceived from the the other side of the glass) means that the painted side of the artwork and the viewing side are opposed to one another.

Similarly, an artwork that is created on a canvas will usually begin with a rough outline and then gradually develop towards its completion and finishing touches. However in the case of a reverse painting this procedure will begin where it would normally end. This means that the finishing touches such as finer details and the artist's signature will be applied first (rather than last),and the background applications of colour will be added later (instead of at the beginning). It is for this specific reason that the term 'reverse painting' is popularly used when describing this unusual and sometimes intricate painting technique.

The effect that glass can give to a reverse painting can make it a very beautiful object and to enhance this effect some painters use thick glass in order to give more depth to their work.

For those who see a reverse painting on glass for the very first time it is not always easy to understand that although what they are looking at may appear to be a painting under a protective sheet of glass, it is in fact an artwork that has been painted on the surface of the glass itself.