Gilding for Beginners

This eight-week evening course provides an introduction to the decorative art of gilding, the application of metal leaf such as gold to solid surfaces. This course is suitable for beginners or for those who would like to refresh or develop existing skills.

More about this course

This course introduces you to the gilding process, the nature and production of metal leaf and gilding tools and how to choose the right tools and materials for the job. It includes hands-on workshops so you can explore the key materials and techniques, from gesso ground, use of bole, practical water to oil gilding and burnishing.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• identify and choose appropriate leaf metal for the gilding of surfaces
• prepare a suitable ground for oil or water gilding on wooden substrates
• effectively use the tools of the gilders trade to produce a gilded artefact using gold, silver or Dutch metal leaf

Who's this course for

This course will appeal to anyone involved in the preservation of gilded artefacts or of architectural interiors as well as those who wish to use gilding techniques in the production of their art or craft work. These might include professionals and volunteers in museums, galleries and heritage organisations such as the National Trust and English Heritage.