An Introduction to Gilding

A one day workshop with Denis Brown
Level: novice to intermediate.
Maximum 20 students.

Real gold leaf work will illuminate your manuscripts, literally. Various types of gilding will be shown, and you will learn how mix gum ammoniac and practice gilding on it with patent gold leaf. Traditional and modern effects will be demonstrated for lettering and decorative treatments. Gilt backgrounds for calligraphy using composition leaf will be introduced, and making gold ink using bronze powders will also be included.

Tools and Materials required by each student:
Patent genuine gold leaf, (supplied on a transfer tissue paper). Three leaves per student will suffice, so a book of 25 leaves may be shared among up to 8 people.
Gum Ammoniac: raw lumps of the gum (called 'crystals ' by paperinkarts.com).
Stirring stick, such as a wooden dowel or even a discarded ballpoint pen.
An old pantyhose/nylon stocking//tights of fine denier, (to be used as a fabric for filtering gum!)
Bronze powder: a small jar or vial of any bright gold or copper color.
Gum Arabic: A small bottle of c. 2.5 fl oz. prepared liquid gum arabic, as distinct from undissolved gum.
A sheet of c. 250gsm hot-pressed watercolor paper and a sheet of colored paper in any warm cream or soft orange color. Also some cheap practice paper.
Plastic teaspoon
Scalpel or scissors
A small plastic kitchen bowl or tupperware container. Anything about 6" wide and a few inches deep is perfect.
4 or more small plastic containers or glass jars with airtight lids, (35mm photo film canisters were ideal before we all went digital!)
A larger glass jar with lid.
Calligraphy dip-pens and broad edged nibs.
Pencils, ruler, gouache paints, a few mixing brushes, palettes.
Old newspaper & cleaning rags.

The following items may be shared among 2 or 3 students:
Powdered pumice: a small c. 4oz container.
Composition leaf, Patent, not loose leaf; i.e., supplied on a transfer tissue paper. (Also known as imitation gold or schlag metal). A book of 25 leaves of any bright gold or copper color could be shared among 2 or 3 students.
PVA glue: c. 8oz bottle
A large flat nylon paintbrush, c. 1" wide.
Finely powdered gum sandarac.

Classroom supplies needed:
Kettle or source of boiling water .