Special Combination Course Course at the Fattoria di Maiano: Water Gilding and Painting Techniques for Italian Fine Furniture, Frames and Cabinetry including accommodation

Level: 1, 2 or 3
Hours: 35
Duration: 6 days: (check-in: Saturday: 4-7 pm, check-out the following Saturday by 10 am)
Dates: see schedule
Price: 1590 euros (including 7 nights accommodations)

The aim of this course is to give people with an interest in the Florentine decorative arts of painting and gilding a very solid introduction to the basics. We have chosen to do these courses once or twice a year to provide an intensive course for those who want to get in as much learning as possible during their stay and are perhaps unable to get away for long periods of time. The location has been carefully chosen to offer you one of the most picturesque settings imaginable together with very comfortable accommodation. As you'll see, it is an ideal place for creative exchanges and inspiration. On the hillside of Maiano, overlooking Florence with Brunelleschi’s Duomo in sight, we dedicate time and attention to the development of your craft. Mornings and afternoons are spent in the studio painting and gilding the works of art that you will bring home. To add depth to your experience, you'll have personal contact with accomplished Florentine artisans, and seminars are scheduled on some of Florence's world-renowned works of art.

Read more about the Maiano estate or see pictures

Fees:
The fee for the course is € 1590 euros and it includes the following:
- accommodation in double rooms in holiday apartments (ask about a single)
- welcome dinner
- farewell dinner
- tour of the Villa of Maiano
- use of the studio space on site in the historical rooms of the ex-convent
- studio equipment and supplies
- course projects
- course instruction
- encounters with Florentine artisans (presentations, teaching, a tour of the artisan quarter)

Gilding course lessons include:
- preparation of grounds including the making of rabbit skin glue gesso and bole
- techniques of water gilding with 22 karat leaf, silver and false gold
- gold size techniques
- toning, antiquing techniques, oxidation and patinas for gilded surfaces
- techniques for frames and panels
- graffitto, punchwork
- restoration of gilding

Painting course lessons include:
- traditional Italian decorative colour application and decorative painting
- making of colours with glue and pigments
- imitation of marble and tortoiseshell
- decorative brushwork the use of casein paints
- patinas and distressed colour

All projects are prepared step by step by the students, starting from the unfinished wood. Product recipes and procedures are given in the class notes.

Course Descriptions:
Morning Class: Introductory Decorative Painting Florentine Techniques:
We start with making the gesso ground commonly used to decorate Florentine furniture. This is a special gesso that produces a very natural crackle effect. We discuss wooden furniture and its preparation. Students are introduced to the use of casein paints. We make several small projects to explore decorative painting techniques like faux marble, tortoise shell, antique patinas, and the basis of decorative brush stroke work. There is an optional project involving the use of light and shade (chiaroscuro) in decorative painting for more advanced painters.

Afternoon Class: Intro to Traditional Gilding Techniques:
We make gesso and bole, traditional materials used to prepare a wooden surface for water gilding. We go through the steps of preparing the objects to be gilded, carefully preparing the ground for the leaf. After this important phase, we start with the application of gold and silver leaf. We also cover the use of gold size, oxidization, finishing and antiquing of gilded objects, useful for decorative work and in the restoration of antiques.

The projects for each student will be two small frames, a tray and various sample boards. Projects may vary.
Instruction are in English and in Italian with English translation.

About the Teachers:

Roberto Passeri:
Roberto is a Gilder and restorer who taught for many years at the famous school of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, the state authority on art restoration. His specialty is the restoration of wooden objects and gilded surfaces. He has overseen many important restoration projects in Florence, Arezzo and Bologna.

Alison Woolley Bukhgalter:
Alison is and accomplished decorative painter, owner of Florenceart studio, in Florence Italy. She is commissioned regularly to paint furniture by interior designers and private collectors in Europe and North America, as well as for the Italian decorative furniture industry.

For more information and booking please write to
In North America call or fax our toll free number: 1 800 420 5531 (voice mail only)

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