Brief Description of Course:
Course participants learn the basics of water gilding using dutch metal leaf, and silver leaf. The course also covers the use of gold size and decorative techniques involving the finishing, oxidizing, and antiquing of gilded surfaces. The courses take place within a large well-lit artisan studio school in the artisan district of Florence, where students can observe and learn from their surroundings as well as from the teaching. See our work spaces.

Students of the introductory course take home two small ornamental gilded frames, done with different methods using dutch metal, a silver leafed frame, plus several sample panels all made during the course . The cost for a week long course running 3pm to 7pm for 5 days (Monday to Friday) is €550 euros including all course materials.

Projects per student:
1 small frame gilded with false leaf- gold size method
1 small frame gilded with false leaf- water gilding method
1 small frame silver leafed- water gilding method
punch work sample panel
possible additional samples depending on speed of student

*Please note that projects pieces may vary slightly

For Advanced Gilding course click here.

Schedule:

Monday 1	Tuesday 2	Wednesday 3	Thursday 4	Friday 5
intro to workshop and viewing of CD rom on decorative painting styles	make gesso, bole,albumin gesso, apply to sample pieces	gilding with dutch metal leaf on small frames	burnishing and retouching trays and frames	work on finishing panels and trays
set rabbit skin, albumin, and fish glues to soak	apply base colour and gold-size ornament to sample panels	gilding with dutch metal or silver leaf on trays	gild or silver leaf corner samples	some antiquing techniques
choose design for tray.	apply bole to trays	apply bole to corner samples	work on sample panels
apply gesso to trays	apply gesso to corner samples	burnish sample strips and start punch work	apply colour and design to trays
apply walnut stain to corner samples	apply false leaf to sample strips		start antiquing
apply bole to small frames

 

Times: Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For more information and registration please write to In North America call or fax our toll free number: 1 800 420 5531 or see the contact us page

Please keep in mind that August is a traditional summer break in Italy. Most schools, artisan workshops, businesses, etc. are closed, therefore courses and the Artisan Quarter tour may not be available during that month. Check Italian public holidays before you plan your trip.

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