Decorative Gilding Techniques:

Decorative techniques for water gilded surfaces:  Pastiglia, Sgraffito, Granito/ Amati, Sablé 

2026 Society of Gilders Conference:  2 full days Monday and Tuesday

NOTE:  This is an intermediate class. Water gilding experience is required. 

The objective of these courses is to teach decorative techniques for water gilded surfaces:  Pastiglia (relief gesso), Sgraffito (engraving through egg tempera paint layers to reveal gilded designs/decorations), punching and incising.

During these two days, the student will learn these 4 timeless decoration techniques, which comprise learning how to make tempera paint, gesso sottile, bol rouge, and gilding tempera.   

PASTIGLIA:

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.

SGRAFFITO:

Sgraffito is a technique consisting of covering the gilding or silvering with an opaque layer of paint called tempera. This is then partially removed with a wooden stylus, tracing patterns that reveal the metal. This decor appeared around 1500 AD and more particularly on shrines, and altars religious ornaments.

GRANITO/ AMATI

This technique of the late 15th century or so, consisted in making drawings using round punches, star, moon… on the gilding (ex: in the halo of the Saints)

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 adhering river sand on the wood before being gilded. This sand symbolizes the Jordan in which Jesus was baptized.

Materials:

Students will be provided with 2 prepared frames: one in white gesso, and one with water gilding, ready for use in class.

Proposed designs will be provided based on a few models: One from the cloisters in NY Altar Frontal from the church of Santa Maria de Ginestarre

And other models or students could create their own.

Please bring these materials and tools needed for this class:

• Minimum of 4 oz of powdered Pigment- color of your choice
• 1 Agate burnisher
• Gilding punches, or a big nail, if possible
• small hammer
• Punching tools will be available to share within the workshop
• 2 cups  
• two brushes: a flat watercolor type brush (about size #6) and a small round, pointed watercolor brush for application of fine details; a #1 or #2

• 2 cups of meudon white (calcium carbonate)  aka Champagne Chalk 
• 2 organic eggs

If you need assistance, please contact Bruno Toupry  bruno.toupry@nombredor.com 

Class Fee

March 1 – April 15 early reg:  (SOG members only)  $825.
April 16 – May 15  open registration :  $845

Maximum:    10 students

Materials Included: 

• 2 prepared frames, one gilded; wooden stylus
• Rabbit skin glue, fish glue, sand, other materials used in class 

Many thanks to our Sponsor Sepp Leaf Products for providing leaf for this class!

Instructor  

Bruno Toupry

BrunoToupry is the founder of Atelier du Nombre D’or in Paris.

He’s a master artisan as recognized by the City of Paris.  Over the years this specialized work blossomed into an expertise in creating luxuriously decorated surfaces of many kinds, from interior murals to harpsichord decoration. Bruno has been teaching for over 20 years and enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge with the next generation.

Agrément Mobilier Nationale — Médaille d’argent ville de Paris
Maitre artisan doreur a la feuille
Fournisseur officiel du Mobile National.