Paiting on Gold Leaf

[Dalia Klein]

With which kind of pigment/paint can I paint on gold leaf illuminated on parchment?
From what I saw in old manuscripts, the artists put shadows (for example of leaf or flowers) on the background which covers with gold leaf. Thanks, Dalia Klein

[fieldartstudio]

Daila, I was waiting for Patricia or someone else with more experience in this specialty.

From what I have seen; traditionally, egg tempra was the medium of choice.  Acrylic paint is also used by my many modernists.

[michael gilbert]

Dalia,
Painting can be done on gilding on vellum or any other surface with paints that form a colloidal film. Which means that the paint must have the ability to adhere to glass. Egg tempera is the traditional paint to use, but it must be made by the artist. Egg tempera that comes in tubes is an egg oil emulsion, and will not preform well on gold. Casein paint, which is a milk based paint, will also work- I believe the best brand on the market is Pelican Plaka. The third way is to make "glair", and use it instead of water to mix with water colors. Glair is made by beating the white of an egg until a stiff foam is made. Then put heaping teaspoons of the egg foam into a clean jar- for every spoon of egg foam pour one teaspoon of distilled water over the egg. Put lid on jar and place in fridge for 6 to 8 hours, or over night. A milky liquid will result, with some foam floating on top-scoop off the foam, and use this liquid "glair" to paint with your watercolors. Don't add any water. have fun. Michael