Class Descriptions
Class Descriptions
Following are descriptions of some of the typical classes that the Society of Gilders offers. Course content may change to reflect instructor and the student interests and strengths.
Traditional Water Gilding
Students learn the fundamental techniques of water gilding, on a frame or panel provided to them by the instructor. They learn how to prepare rabbit skin glue, chalk gesso, bole, gilding liquor and toning materials. The instructor will demonstrate how to properly apply materials, then each student will work on their own piece. Students will learn how to gild out of a book of gold leaf, as well as work from a gilder’s pad. Various techniques and types of gilding options will be discussed. Students may use their own tools and supplies, or purchase materials and tools.
Antiquing & Toning
Through toning, gilders create an authentic antique finish. Toning techniques can create a patina of age on repairs or new work. The best toning looks completely natural, like no human hand was involved. Toning may also be done to make a frame harmonize with a work of art, or to make the gilding have a special look for a work of art. Different karats of leaf, bole color, glue, shellac, pigments, acids, and wax are some of the materials used in toning work. Work on a variety of karats of leaf and with silver, to make an antique vermeil finish.
Frame Repair & Restoration
The basics of repair/restoration for picture frames along with touching up various finishes, including gilded finishes. Learn how to properly evaluate a frame for structural damage, loss of ornamentation, and surface stabilization, and how to attach a cradle to the back of a frame. This class may include repair and re-create missing compo ornament, creating molds/ castings, and then finish repaired areas, touch up of repaired areas using gold leaf as well as other products and methods to match the patina of the antique piece.
Ornament Restoration and Mold Making
This class covers the basics on how to replace missing compo ornaments, making molds and casting; repairing gesso losses; and matching tone of repairs. Basic gilding skills are required. Students work on actual antique frames which they bring to the class.
Oil Gilding: Metal Leaf Finishes
In this hands-on course participants are guided through the centuries old techniques of oil gilding. From preparation to final antiquing and toning, each participant will learn the proper procedures to prime, prepare size, gild and seal many samples. Working with Dutch metal, aluminum, copper and silver leaf, members of the class will experiment with mat and broken leaf techniques, double gilding, inlays, distressed finishes, and flash gilding with mica powders and other effects.
Florentine Gilding
Includes Pastiglia Technique, Gilding, Burnishing, and Egg Tempera on Gold, Sgraffito, Incising, Shell Gold, Punch Work (Bulinatura) and Finishing
Variations of these techniques are taught individually as well as in combination depending on the instructor or class plan.
Sgraffito
Sgraffito is the technique of scratching through a layer of paint to the gilded surface below. The water gilded surface is painted with a hand-made egg tempera paint and once it dries, patterns are scraped and drawn into the surface allowing the gilded surface to show through. Fabulous effects are created which give another dimension and detail to a gilded surface. Often this technique was used in Renaissance panel painting. This is a great technique to use on reproduction frames and furniture.
Sable
This technique was widely used on French frames during the reign of King Louis IV (1643-1715) until the 19th century. It consists of sticking river sand on the wood before being gilded.
Pastaglia
This technique consisted in making reliefs using gesso sotille, on vellum (lamb skin parchment). Later, in the 16th century in Italy, this technique was used to make ornaments on gilded wooden frames.
Granito / Amati
This technique of the late 15th century or so, consisted in making drawings using round punches, star, moon etc. on the gilding.
Loose Leaf Gilding with Noble Metals
Develop your hand skills with 23Kt Gold Leaf, and Palladium leaf, using the traditional gilders tools: a gilder’s tip, a gilder’s knife, a skew brush and a gilding pad. Classwork includes methods to improve for cutting and applying loose leaf to a flat surface, use of both single and double tips, making and using stencils with gilding, and understanding oil size and how to obtain a high sheen and a bright luster. The skills involved in loose leaf gilding are different than working with patent leaf. Working directly out of a book of loose leaf, or from a gilder’s pad: these hand skills are an important part of having success with gilding.
The Methods and Materials of Medieval Manuscript Illumination
The class begins with an illustrated overview of the art form, which first evolved for use in sacred books, followed by a show of samples and demonstrations of the illumination process, including laying adhesive and gilding and burnishing gold leaf, and traditional painting techniques, using gouache and tempera, culminating with precise outlining in ink and highlighting in white. Authentic tools and materials are used throughout the class.
Panel and Furniture Gilding
Water Gilding Substrates for Panels or Furniture
Gilding flat panels using traditional techniques and materials. All steps of preparation and application will be covered from making and applying gesso to completing a single gild matt panel, using silver and gold leaf. Techniques for creating consistent application, remedying flaws as well as methods for handling multiple panel production are discussed. The techniques taught in this course can also be used on furniture.
Verre Églomisé, Reverse Painting and Gilding on Glass
The basic steps of reverse painting and gilding on glass as well as more advanced eglomise skills, using multiple metals, along with more complex decorative paint finishes and techniques. This class varies by teacher and may include sign gilding or fine art applications.
Professional Gilding and Sign Painting
Gilding fundamentals, hand lettering with One Shot enamel, and horizontal and vertical silk screening. Traditional methods meet modern-day applications. Learn about gilding terminology, tool use and materials, make and use traditional water and oil sizes on prepared surfaces, be introduced to gold types and textures and how they might be combined, lay leaf on glass and three-dimensional objects, produce patterns using lettering types and layouts for signs, and practice the basics of hand lettering with One Shot lettering enamel, as well as combine all three mediums
Wood Carving for Picture Frames
This class explores basic carving techniques. The students will learn how to carve 3 relief border designs including beads, a hollow rounded dentil pattern or a rope design. Sharpening techniques and safety will be discussed and emphasized. Students will be provided with one basswood frame, basswood carving blocks, course syllabus, drawing paper, tracing paper and pencils.
