Bill Adair is one of the world's leading gilders. He takes Kitty Bartholomew through the steps of the centuries-old process of gold-leafing. He explains there are many shades of gold leaf, which comes in a book of 25 leaves, 3 3/8" square. He warns that the gold leaf should never be touched by hand. Two of the gilder's most useful tools include a knife used for cutting the gold leaf and picking it up, and a gilder's cushion (
figure A) that blocks air drafts when working with the delicate leaf.
To apply gold leaf:
- Coat the surface with a mixture of water and rabbit skin glue. The glue is very elastic, and can expand and contract with the wood.
- Apply 7-8 layers of gesso--a mixture of chalk and rabbit skin glue. This gives a very smooth surface.
- Apply a mixture of yellow clay and water.
- For added pattern and interest, black or red clay can be dry-brushed on over the yellow clay (figure B).
- Apply a mixture of gilder's liquor (alcohol and water) to the surface. Adair uses vodka, but rubbing alcohol can also be used.
- Cut leaf into thirds.
- Using a squirrel hair tip, pick up a piece of the leaf. Before picking it up, rub a little Vaseline on the side of the hand and lightly rub the ends of the tip over it. The leaf will easily adhere to it now.
- Bring the leaf over to the surface (still damp with gilder's liquor) and simply drop it gently onto the surface (figure C).
- Use a rubbing stone, burnish the leaf and bring up the shine.
Guests Bill Adair
Gold Leaf Artistand Owner, Gold Leaf Studios
Courtyard,1523 22nd St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202-833-2440
Fax: 202-833-2452
Email:
gls@goldleafstudios.com
URL:
www.goldleafstudios.com
Also in this Episode
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