Picture framing, gilding, decorative finishes and upholstery
Ref: S4D10334
Beginners/Intermediate
£584This course will teach you about the mysterious and fascinating skill of gilding with gold-leaf and other precious metals. You will explore each of the three main disciplines of gilding: water, oil and glass gilding. Each style has its peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses. Using a wide variety of techniques, you will be able to create a full catalogue of desired finishes.
Oil Gilding:
Oil gilding is the most straight forward to learn and produces quick and satisfactory results. It is easily learned by an amateur wishing to develop a new craft. Learn how to apply gold-leaf and other precious metals to a variety of surfaces. Work on sample panels to look at these effects, using a variety of leaf including copper, silver, and pure gold.
Do you have something in mind that you want to gild, such as a small frame, candlestick? Bring it along and we will have a look at the items on the first evening together, so we will all benefit from others ideas and development. Please be aware, however, that you may not have these finished by the end of the course.
Water gilding:
Learn the basics of water gilding - most usually employed to decorate picture frames and furniture. You will produce a small wooden frame (supplied by the College) using traditional water gilding techniques. Make up ancient recipes and apply gesso and bole to the surface, followed by the experience of laying the gold itself.
Sample panels are developed alongside the frame, as we look at different ways to create patterns and texture within gesso. The frames final finish will be burnished, distressed or antiqued according to your taste.
Glass Gilding:
Glass gilding developed a resurgence in 18th Century France. You will celebrate this art by gilding a piece of glass to fit inside the water gilded frame in silver or white gold, creating a functional mirror. There are many ways to decorate the glass with drawn designs, blended finishes or painted areas.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Richard Walker studied gilding at the University of Portsmouth. Gilding for twenty years and teaching for fifteen, he has developed a global reputation to top artists, framers, furniture designers, interior designers and museums, where he is renowned for creating new and interesting ways of gilding surfaces in traditional and modern methods.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.