How to Gild Botanicals

Celebrate your love of nature by creating stunning botanical art works.

Choose and clip a variety of botanical specimens. I recommend choosing more than you think you'll need, as a few may not work after they are dried. Lay botanicals face-down on paper towels on a hard surface, making sure all leaves are straight and placed appropriately: they will dry just as you position them. Top with another layer of paper towels and lay heavy books or magazines on top. Make sure to locate this in a place that can remain undisturbed for several days.

Here's what you will need: Clippings from yard (choose sizes and textures that will look nice when gilded and framed) / Frames in sizes of choice (the ones shown are 16x24 poster frames) / Brass gilding liquid 
/ Small angled brushes / Archival rubber cement 
/ Spray adhesive /
 Colored mat board in size of choice 
/ White mat board in size of choice (should be at least 2 inches smaller than colored mat board)

You may want to gild some of the plants fully, while others look nice with the tips gilded or just part of each leaf. Reapply an additional coat if necessary after one hour. Allow the final product to dry for several hours before framing.