Materials:
old wooden picture frame in desired size
picture frame glass cut to fit frame
silver leaf (available in art supply stores)
gilder's tip brush
unflavored gelatin granules
distilled water
2 soft-bristle brushes about 1-1/2" wide flat (from art supply stores)
black or charcoal gray acrylic paint and 2" soft brush
cardboard or foam core board cut to fit back of frame
Note: Try this technique with gold leaf or mix the two together for a unique look.
Steps:
- Mix together 1tsp. gelatin and 1 cup distilled water in small pot and heat over medium to low heat stirring with one of the 1-1/2' brushes until gelatin dissolves completely (this is sizing solution). Keep mixture over low heat throughout project.
- Clean glass and lay flat on a surface covered with newspapers or brown kraft paper.
- Make sure the room is draft-free (this will silver leaf sheets easier to work with).
- Starting at one corner of glass, apply sizing to a 3-1/2" area with 1-1/2" brush.
- Hold silver-leaf booklet at a downward angle and with gilder's brush tip, gently slide a sheet of leaf about 1/2" over edge of booklet.
- Gently touch edge of leaf to edge of wet glass and then pull booklet away. The sheet should slide off and onto sized square on glass.
- Repeat until glass is totally covered with silver leaf. Slightly overlap edges as sheets are added. Try to have as few wrinkles as possible in each sheet.
- Let mirror/glass dry for about one half-hour.
- Once dry, use the second 1-1/2" brush to gently brush over all silver leaf on glass to flatten out wrinkles and remove any excess or loose leaf. If there are any large holes or gapes, add more leaf to these areas using sizing. It's okay if there are some small imperfections, as this will enhance the look of the finished piece.
- Paint a coat of black or charcoal gray acrylic paint over leaf. Let dry overnight.
- Place mirror in frame with ungilded side facing out. Put a piece of cardboard or foam core board over backside of mirror, finish off like any framed picture and add desired hanger.
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