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Gilding Techniques

Gilding is one of the most ancient and beautiful arts dating back thousands ofyears and simple, yet professional results are within the reach of everyone. Thetechnique of water gilding is difficult tomaster, but the results are magnificent, especially on small areas. The secret tosuccessful results lies in the preparationof the surface prior to gilding.

1. Make sure the surface you are gilding isclean and dry. Melt rabbit skin glue agranules in a ha in marie (double boiler).This will take 5 to 10 minutes. When thegranules are dissolved, the size will be theconsistency of runny caramel. Sift justenough gesso power into the meltedgranules to colour the liquid. Heat untilthe liquid is translucent. Paint on to thesurface so that it takes into the grain andleave the object to dry overnight.

2. Melt two parts rabbit skin glue to onepart water. Take off the heat and sift inenough gesso powder to come theliquid. Put back over the heat and stirwell to dissolve all the lumps. While stillwarm, apply the liquid to the surface.Apply up to 12 coats. Try to complete thisstage on the same day and leave the finalcoat to dry overnight. Alternatively, applyup to 12 coats of ready-made gesso inwhite or your chosen colour.

3. To make the gilding water, half-fill a jarwith water. Slowly add methylated spirit(paint thinner) until the water is lightlycoloured. Add a teaspoon of melted rabbitskin glue. Stir well until the solution isthoroughly mixed. Paint a small amounton to the area you wish to gild first. It willenable the leaf to adhere to the surface.

4. Gently place loose gold leaf on to thedampened surface and press down lightlywith cotton balls. Continue painting onthe gilding water and applying the goldleaf until the whole area is covered. Anysmall bare parches can he covered using asable brush and small pieces of leaf. Leaveto dry for 1 hour.

5. When the surface is dry, burnish withan agate burnisher, going over the surfaceseveral times until a deep shine begins toappear. Do not press too hard, since thiswill soften the gesso.

6. To distress the surface to give an agedeffect, gently rub the surface with wire(steel) wool. Do not rub too hard and rakecare to distress only the areas that wouldreceive wear naturally. When satisfied,seal the whole surface with clear wax.Leave to dry, and then polish with a softcloth to improve the lustre.

LIQUID LEAF

1 Apply an oil- or water-based primer tothe surface to be gilded and leave to dry.Paint on a base coat in the desired colourand leave to dr

2 Shake the bottleof liquid leaf andbrush on to thesurface with abristle or gildingbrush. Leave to dryfOr approximately20 minutes. Sealwith a poly-urethane varnishor shellac.

1. Apply an oil- or water-based primer tothe MthiCC Oa) kare to eky Paint on abase coat in the desired colour and alsoallow that to dry.

2. Apply the paste to the surface using ac-kith or brush. Red? it in we)), paFingparticular attention to any areas of detail.Leave to dry

3. Rub the surface with a soft cloth, thensea) with a ?MX Or pedish and polishingrubber if required.

POWDERS

1. Apply an oil- or water-based primerto the surface and leave to dry. Paint on abase coat in the desired colour and leaveto dry. Apply oil- or water-based size andleave to become tacky.

2. Place a little powder at a time on asaucer and dip a brush into the powder,tapping off any excess, and brush on tothe size. Always work in a well-ventilatedarea and a good distance from the powder

3. Seal with a polishing rubber or a coatof French enamel varnish. The colour ofthe varnish adds a lovely jewel-like finishto the gold.

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