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Gilding and loving it…….
Caught the bug at the Sign Show on the demo stands at the back of the hall. Walked passed a couple of time and the gilding area was always busy. I finally got my hands on try towards the end of the day. The surface was pre-sized and the leaf was laid on for me, so it was just a case of smoothing it out with a mop.
Since then I have bought the basics and started to learn…..The hardest bit to learn is patients !!!!!! I bought a badger tip, squirrel mop, gilding knife, loose leaf, a gilders pad and 12hr size. (All Wrights of Lymm)
First attempt, I was a little too eager and lost the first leaf of gold when it crumpled and I couldn’t get it lying flat. Second leaf out and onto the pad no problem, sliced in half and laid onto the letter. As I mentioned before I was a little short of patients and had not let the size go off ….complete sticky mess.
Second attempt below seems to have gone much better and I am reasonably happy with the results given that I am using loose 23 ¾ carat rather than transfer with the belief that if I can grasp the technique of working with loose, transfer gold will be a doddle, bit like mastering dry vinyl application before going wet!!!
Anyhoo….got some more bits sized up ready for more practicing!!! I have my eyes on a couple of jobs locally that have been painted gold before, and could do with a “proper job”!!!!!
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11 Replies
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Graeme I have always wanted to try guilding, we had a little go when we went to the letterheads meet in Wales.
Lynn
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Only done a couple of bits, but ind it extremely satisfying……looking forward to doing more……
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quote Graeme Harrold:Only done a couple of bits, but ind it extremely satisfying……looking forward to doing more……
Got a dodgy keyboard and keep missing letters…..should read "find" and the title should be Gilding!!!!
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quote Graeme Harrold:quote Graeme Harrold:Only done a couple of bits, but ind it extremely satisfying……looking forward to doing more……Got a dodgy keyboard and keep missing letters…..should read “find” and the title should be Gilding!!!!
And there was me thinking it was going to be GLIDING so was suitably impressed with pictures of gilding & not non-powered flight!
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i have dabbled in it myself mate, its a great finish and something i wish i had time to do a bit more of. i made a traditional letter from SignFoam 2 by hand then applied the goldleaf. worked out very well for a first go. i bought my gear from HS handover and still have it today along with my 3-peice mahl stick and brushes from wrights of lymm bought at the letterheads meet in scotland. 😀 ill get them back out one day! 😛
thanks for sharing the pics mate…
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I wasn’t asked but I thought I’d trow out a couple thoughts on Gilding (in the hopes that I might be helpful 🙂 ).
I describe the application of size as applying a "film", not a coating…..thin is good. It also easier to be consistent from job to job.
Judging the right time to apply the leaf is always a tough nut……especially when starting out. Most methods relie mostly on experience, i.e. trial and error. An easy way to test for the proper "tack" is to size a tin can lid (from the trash), at the same time as the job. To make a test, touch a pointed knuckle to the lid. If the lid lifts easily, it’s too wet. When you have to press pretty hard to get the lid to lift you will get a pretty bright gild.
Gilding is not only fun but it is profitable too……it’s just a bugger to learn to be consistent.
Hope this is helpful.
Joe,
Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
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Thanks for the tips Joe esp withe the test size on a spare lid, if I stopped long enough Id remember that’s what I do with epoxy resin glue!!! I just love the finish and the prestige of it being GOLD :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
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Hiya
Whenever you do a gold job its always good to dab a bit of the size somewhere near where you are working (if you are gilding a window, paint a little area near your work so you can judge the time to gild without wiping marks onto your work!) 😎
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Very pleased to see this!
I have been "gilding" (ahem) for over 10 years now and am finally getting a bit better at it.
Joe was one of my teachers in person at a meet.
He is right about keeping the size thin.
I have had more luck with LaFranc slow size.
And am better off using patent leaf (the kind stuck to the tissue paper)
Keep practicing. This is a nice way to add value to your work.
And it can be very satisfying.
(once you get it right!)
Love….Jill -
Great to see you trying some gilding.
If you can master it, and the piece you’ve shown looks very good indeed, it can open up a lot of opportunities for you.
Keep practicing and honing your skills.
Neil
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quote Neil Davey:Great to see you trying some gilding.
If you can master it, and the piece you’ve shown looks very good indeed, it can open up a lot of opportunities for you.
Keep practicing and honing your skills.
Neil
Thanks every one for the words of encouragement.
Ive never been one to take the easy route, hence Im jumping in with both feet and starting with loose leaf. Spent an hour today practicing moving and flipping a single leaf on the cutting pad. Starting to get comfortable un-crumpling a leaf when its dropped onto the pad……as everyone says…..practice, practice, practice then practice some more.
Only killed 3 leaves!!! 😳 😳
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