Gilding for Beginners (short course)

This course introduces you to the gilding process, the nature and production of metal leaf and gilding tools and how to choose the right tools and materials for the job. It includes hands-on workshops so you can explore the key materials and techniques, from gesso ground, use of bole, practical water to oil gilding and burnishing. By the end of the course, you will be able to: identify and choose appropriate leaf metal for the gilding of surfaces. prepare a suitable ground for oil or water gilding on wooden substrates. effectively use the tools of the gilders trade to produce a gilded artefact using gold, silver or Dutch metal leaf.