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Gilding

The aim of this course is to introduce students to both water and oil gilding. These are old traditional crafts that are still very much used today.

Students will be introduced to all the materials and then there will be a short historic introduction. Thereafter the course will concentrate on the practical aspects of the craft.

Water Gilding

Water gilding is a more complex and time consuming aspect of gilding. It requires a lot of preparatory work to achieve a smooth and shiny surface.

Samples of work by students	A student enjoying the gilding course

Oil Gilding

Oil gilding does not require the same amount of preparatory work. The result will not be as smooth and shiny as the surface cannot be burnished. Oil gilding is used on more detailed surfaces and other materials like metal and stone. It is often used on buildings and architectural objects.

Gilding Features

The course will cover:

Students will be working on prepared panels and on a smaller wooden frame.

• How to make gesso and bole.
• How to apply gesso and bole and prepare the surface in between the different layers.
• Application of loose gold leaf to the correctly prepared surface.
• Burnishing and retouching.
• Toning of the gold to match the existing colour.
• Oil gilding on a plaster mould.
• Trying both techniques on a small wooden frame.

Before	After