Another busy Reggie weekend. The third session of the year-long course. We began the class with gilding. During the second session, we had done some gilding using a Instacoll as a base. It yielded good results but was a little fussy to work with as if you weren't careful with brushing it on, the brush strokes would be seen through the gold. Not very pretty.
During this session, we used two different kinds of bases to give a raised effect. In the photo, the small vial on the left was a bit of gesso colored Pepto pink. Gesso is usually used to seal canvas before painting. Traditional gesso (slaked plaster of Paris, fish or rabbit glue, and white pigment) is also a base used in traditional, raised gilding, but it is fussy to work. Enter acrylic gesso.
The first thing we did was to use Golden Extra Heavy Gloss Medium Molding Paste on the heart. This was used so the gilding would have texture. A bit unusual. The steps we did are hazy for me as we had to work quickly so there wasn't enough time to take detailed notes. So after the molding paste dried, the gesso was applied to the heart and to the compass points. After the gesso layer was dry, a layer of clear Instacoll tinted red or dark pink, was applied over the gesso to raise the base. The coloring was added so it wouldn't blend with the pink gesso. There's a small window of opportunity to gild on the Instacoll. It needs to be dry, but still tacky. If it dries thoroughly, then the metal leaf won't stick.
We got to try out various metals. 24 Kt. Loose Gold, 23 Kt. Patent Gold, 18 Kt. Lemon Gold, Palladium (used in place of Silver as Silver tarnishes over time and Palladium doesnn't, Aluminum (used in place of Silver. Aluminum doesn't tarnish, but it's very thick and hard to work with, Variegated Gold, and Moon Gold which looks a bit like Pewter) Reggie didn't have any 23 Kt. Loose Gold so the dark pink Instacoll base still shows.
Ooh, I like this!
ReplyDeleteYeah, very bling.
DeleteBEAUTIFUL!!! ♥♥♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteIt is very pretty, but I couldn't get a decent photo of all the metals.
DeleteVery lovely, and the way you describe it all makes it fascinating indeed. Do have a splendid week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Blogratti. You have a good week, too.
Deletethat is absolutely amazing! so, so impressive! You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteThanks, but it didn't require much skill or talent. The page was pre-stamped where everything was to go just like a coloring book page.
DeleteBased on your last sentence, I take it you didn't have to buy all those supplies. You would be in the poor house if you did. You did a fabulous job on this page.
ReplyDeleteBesides paying for the class, each month the class meets, we pay a materials fee to Reggie. He brings in items for us to try. Like all the supplies for gilding.He also has items for sale, DVDs, lining guides. He had books of gold and other metals for sale, yesterday. There is an extensive list of items we must have with us for each class, special items for each class, and a large supply of paper that the class purchased to get a discount. Money outlay for the class, supplies, and fees is in the ch-ching range, but the class is so worth the expense
DeleteThat's an interesting technique that I bet they didn't do during the middle ages. (Of course, no acrylic paint then). LOL. But I really like your piece. :) Hope you stayed nice and cool today. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI'm sure if they had acrylics during the Middle Ages, they would have used them. So much easier than having to slake plaster to prepare the gesso. Was really muggy today, but a nice breeze in the sun room.
DeleteAlot of work! Very beautiful!
ReplyDelete