Patinas for Gilded Surfaces  

2026 Society of Gilders Conference    1 Day – Friday

In this one-day class, participants will learn techniques to add a patina to the gilded surface to simulate natural wear and age and take newly gilt to the age of 50 to 200 years! 

Class work includes preparing and applying the preparations in the traditional manner. Bring at least 3 gilded objects to class to use for practice, which can be gilded with technique of oil (mordant) gilding or water gilding.  

Ideally, these must be a collection of both water gilded objects and oil gilded objects (mixtion).  

Bruno will bring different pieces of gilded wood from the 17th, 18th,  and 19th  century with their original patinas, to use as reference for this work.  He will teach you all the techniques for doing a variety of different patina effects, according to the appearance and style of age you prefer.

Materials & Equipment

Please bring to class—

• up to three gilded objects such as frames, samples, small gilded pieces no more than 15” in size
• 5 empty glass jars with lid  (small, as for jam)
• round artist brushes of different sizes
• 1 or 2 old brushes with stiff, short bristles
• Acrylic and oil paints: raw and burnt umber colours
• a collection of earth pigments of your choice  
• gold colour gilding wax
• Gold colour mineral pigment (mica powders)

Class Fee/tickets

March 1 – April 15 early reg: (SOG members)  $260.
April 16 – May 15  open/late registration:  $280.

Maximum:     10 students
** Must be registered for conference to sign up for this class.

Included  Materials

pigments, paints, waxes, metal and mica powders provided by instructor for use in class

Instructor  

Bruno Toupry, Founder of Atelier du Nombre D’or at Paris

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