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2012 Gilding Workshops |
Returning this Fall!
Special Seasonal Workshop 'Gilding for the Holidays' Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Dec. 11 ~
3-Day Traditional Water Gilding Workshop (includes Frame, Gold, & Field Trip to Seattle Art Museum) Oct. 26, 27, 28
1-Day Introductory Workshop The Dutch Black Finish
with Antique Gilded Highlights Dec. 1 ~ Register Below
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Greetings from Charles Douglas Gilding Studio
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Dear Friends,
It's already mid August and Summer is in full swing! Not the best time for making gesso, but cooler days are ahead...
Hopefully you have all had some interesting gilding projects going on. Certain questions have been coming in regarding Calcium Carbonate as used in traditional gesso as well as the role of clay bole in water gilding. Different recipes in their preparation can affect the appearance of a water gilded surface, important areas which we will explore in depth over the coming months.
The newest project here has been the water gilding of 850 feet of architectural moulding for a 211 ft yacht which will continue to keep this gilder busy for another month or two (although these kinds of things tend to grow, so we shall see!) I am also informed that this level of yacht is better hermetically sealed than the interior of a home which addressed my initial concerns of fluctuating humidity.). Photos to come...
Meanwhile, new gilding classes coming up in the Fall! Always great to meet new students and I appreciate the dedication of those who venture out to beautiful Seattle from far away places...
Peace, Health, and Clarity
~ Charles
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting with the gift of speech. ~ Simonides, Greek poet (556 BC - 468 BC)
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Gold Leaf Gilding...A Conversation
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Embellishing a Dutch Black Frame with White Gold Leaf
A beautiful hand-rubbed finish that works well with gilding is Dutch Black, named after the popular frame finish used in 17th Century Holland. A full description of the finish may be found on my website (www.gildingstudio.com).
The approach I take that I find best resembles an antique Dutch Black frame is based upon a technique developed by the late 20th Century American Framemaker Robert Kulicke. My colleague Michael, Mr. Kulicke's son, was instrumental in helping me to understand the nuances of this technique.
The basic recipe calls for a mixture of black, raw umber, and yellow ochre casein paint which together offers the basis for a complex color tone with a subtle umber quality to the black. The casein is painted over a raw wood frame followed by eight coats of shellac. Although orange shellac is called for in Mr. Kulicke's recipe I have chosen Ruby shellac as a personal preference due to its rich, deep red color.
After light, periodic sandings in-between coats a final coat of shellac is applied and allowed to dry overnight. The frame is now ready for hand rubbing.
During this rubbing/polishing/antiquing phase a variety of techniques are employed to achieve the appropriate look. Here I deviate from the Kulicke recipe which calls for water in the rubbing. Instead, I use a dry technique which I find provides me greater control in breaking through the shellac and casein in order to reveal the underlying wood.
Although a little water can be useful in polishing the shellaced casein, water can quickly break down shellac, especially if it hasn't cured for any length of time and which in turn can dislodge the water soluble casein beneath the shellac. This may be the desired outcome but care should nonetheless be taken; a little water on a piece of oooo steel wool for final polishing can help add a slight smooth sheen if done carefully.
Materials such as Scotchbrite, 0000 steel wool, pumice powder, and rottenstone are all used to great effect in achieving an attractive Dutch Black finish. Pumice applied with fine steel wool can be an efficient way of breaking the initial gloss of shellac which is necessary to develop a soft, polished satin tone. Pumice is also very useful in the mitres when brushed in vigorously with a small, inexpensive bristle brush. This will quickly remove the glistening shellac gloss that is otherwise hard to reach.
Something to note is that shellac continues to harden as the days pass so if aiming for an antiqued appearance it's a good idea to begin the hand rubbing the day after the last coat of shellac. To achieve a more contemporary polish to the finish you may choose to wait anywhere from a week to a month as the shellac is harder and polishes more smoothly.
Although an initial darkening of the wood to simulate aged-wood can be done with a torch before applying the casein, an option is to rub a little lampblack pigment into any exposed areas of wood once the finish is almost complete. This can be useful if a pale wood such as Bass is used.
To further embellish the frame it can be a nice touch to add an antiqued 'silver' lip to certain frame profiles, scoops in particular. In the next issue of the Gilding Arts Newsletter we take a look at adding attractive gilded embellishments to a custom Dutch Black finish!
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Traditional Water Gilding 3-Day Workshop
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Water Gilding Student expertly
burnishing their frames
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Friday, Saturday, Sunday
October 26, 27, 28 10 am - 5 pm
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Traditional water gilding is an ancient craft that dates back over 4,000 years to the early Egyptians. Since then, very little about the process has changed.
This popular 3-day water gilding workshop is an intensive, hands-on class that will take you through each step of the traditional water gilding method, from preparing gesso and clay bole grounds to laying and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf. Includes an afternoon field trip to the Seattle Art Museum to view the early American and Italian gilded frame collection.
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Class Fee:
$650.00 Includes one book of gold leaf, a frame to gild and take home, all materials, recipe printouts, use of all gilding tools and entrance to the museum.
Register for October 26, 27, 28
Class Size limited to 8 Students~ Location: Charles Douglas Gilding Studio Gasworks Gallery Building 3815 4th Avenue NE (off N. Northlake) Seattle, WA 98105To Register by Mail: Click Here to download the Registration Form (PDF). Need to download Adobe Reader? (Click Here)
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1 Day Introductory Workshop The Dutch Black Finish
with Antique Gilded Highlights
Saturday, December 1
This is a special hands-on workshop that will introduce you to the various steps involved with both Dutch Black and oil gilding, from preparing the multi-pigmented Dutch Black paint and alternative methods of hand polishing to applying oil size and laying leaf. All materials are provided.
Come prepared to enjoy a day of experimentation and discovery!
Class Fee:
$225.00 The focus will be on shared class projects to learn and experiment. As creating a Dutch Black finish takes a number of days to complete due to the drying time of materials, this class will provide an overview of all of the steps involved with time allowed for practice. Sample sections will be available for the student to gain a hands-on understanding of the method. Includes printouts for recipes, tools, and materials.
Register for December 1
Class Size limited to 8 Students ~
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New!
'Gilding for the Holidays'
an Evening Workshop
Tuesday Evenings
October 16
November 13
December 11 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Come for a casual evening to explore some simple methods to add the beauty of gilding for decorations for your holiday season! This special One-Evening Workshop is designed for the beginner. Acquire skills for other projects throughout the year!
- Learn to apply an easy-to-use water-based adhesive to gild genuine 22kt and imitation
gold leaf to wood and metal ornaments
- Experiment with handling leaf without the need for expensive tools
- Gilding Glass Ball Ornaments for Christmas Trees
- Plus! A demonstration on a simple approach to Gilding Desserts and Drinks with genuine 23kt Edible Gold!
Class Fee per Session:
$45.00 Materials included. Feel free to bring a holiday ornament to gild or your favorite dessert to add a little gold! Register Below
October 16
November 13December 11
7:00 - 9:00 pm Class Size limited to 8 Students ~Location: Charles Douglas Gilding Studio Gasworks Gallery Building 3815 4th Avenue NE (off N. Northlake Way) Seattle, WA 98105To Register by Mail: Click Here to download the Registration Form (PDF). Need to download Adobe Reader? (Click Here)
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Back Issues of The Gilding Arts Newsletter Available in an Online Archive | | 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. As a new benefit to Newsletter Members, all Newsletters are now available online in an Archived format. Simply go to the www.gildingstudio.com website. The Gilding Arts Newsletter can be found on the left-hand side navigation bar. The ARCHIVE Link can be found at the top of the page.
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