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 January 1, 2010
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New! 1-Day Gold Leaf Gilding Workshop
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 2010 will be seeing exciting new workshops to meet student's varying needs and interests. Shorter one day classes will be offered to allow abbreviated focus on particular topics and techniques.
The first new workshop is the Introduction to Gold Leaf Gilding, to be held April 10. This workshop is designed to introduce students to a variety of gilding methods used for use on wood, glass, metal, and stone - the perfect class for inspiration.
Read more...
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Gilding: Applying Genuine Gold Leaf
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 The application of gold leaf is perhaps the most difficult aspect of traditional water gilding as it requires the development of skill in handling the leaf and in laying it properly on a prepared gesso ground. Part of the challenging nature of working with gold leaf is the thinness of the beaten metal which averages approximately .2 to .4 microns thick. However, with practice and time, and preferably some helpful guidance, one's dexterity and confidence increases.
Once the underlying layer of clay bole is polished with either a horse hair cloth or stiff bristle brush which helps in the burnishing of the gold leaf, the surface is ready to be gilded. Gilder's liquor is prepared which is simply distilled water with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol added and a tiny drop of rabbit skin glue (RSG) or gelatin. The water is drawn across the clayed surface several times until a thin layer of water remains momentarily. The water reactivates the RSG or gelatin in the bole which adheres the leaf to the surface. Once water is first applied to the bole, it sinks in very quickly which is why several passes of the wet brush is needed, otherwise the leaf will not properly bond to the clay.
A characteristic appearance of water gilded leaf are the thin bands of gold that follow along the perimeter of a surface, most notably picture frames. Measuring about an eighth of an inch, these bands become visible once the gold leaf is somewhat rubbed off, either through natural wear and tear or intentionally for effect or anticking. The banding occurs because the gold leaf, usually measuring between 3" to 3 3/8" square, depending upon the country of origin, is laid in an overlapping configuration. It is at these points of overlap where there become two layers of gold and therefore do not rub off nearly as easily as the rest of the single layers of leaf.
It is important that the gold leaf is not disturbed after it's laid; care must be taken to keep water off the top of the leaf which will stain the gold and cause scratches in the gold during burnishing. It will be often noticed that little bubbles of air or water may form under the leaf. The air bubbles can interfere with proper overall adhesion and may show as pinhole dots in the leaf if the surface is rubbed. Therefore, a technique known as tamping is used which is performed by using a small piece of cotton to very gently compress the gold into the clayed surface, essentially just making sure that the gold is in direct contact to the clay bole.
There are a number of different approaches used in applying gold leaf when working with the traditional water gilding method, depending in large part upon the architectural style of the wood surface. After the gold leaf is laid, it is allowed to dry until it is ready to be burnished with the agate stone.
Next Issue: Burnishing Water Gilded Gold Leaf
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Back Issues of The Gilding Arts Newsletters |
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 New Member? Missed an Issue?
The Gilding Arts Newsletter periodically publishes technical information concerning the various methods of gold leaf gilding. Some of these topics are in series formats such as the current series on Traditional Water Gilding.
To receive back Newsletter issues, simply send a quick email to Charles Douglas Gilding Studio at charles.studio@usa.net to request a particular series so you can stay current. Back issues are normally sent out by email within 48 hours.
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Gold Leaf Gilding
Workshops
2010 Schedule
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3-Day Workshop:
Traditional Water Gilding
March 5, 6, 7,
2010
An
intensive hands-on class that will take you through each step of this ancient craft, from preparing gesso and clay bole grounds to laying
and
burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf.
Register to Reserve Your Space
for the
Water Gilding Workshop!
(Click PayPal Logo)
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New!
1-Day Workshop:
Introduction to
Gold Leaf Gilding
April 10,
2010
Spend the day getting acquainted with a variety of methods of gold leaf gilding for use on wood, glass, metal, and stone. Hands-on demonstrations and experimentation with traditional water gilding, mordant gilding/oil gilding, and glass gilding.
Register to Reserve Your Space
for the Introduction to
Gold Leaf Gilding
Workshop!
(Click PayPal Logo)
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Washington State
Convention and Trade Center
SEATTLE, WA
 Water Gilding Class
Cornish College of the ArtsSeattle, WA
To Register by Mail: Click Here to download the Registration Form (PDF).
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