Tutor Jan Mehigan
10am - 4pm
Lunch & afternoon tea provided
Click here for Timings & Refreshments
This workshop is designed for all skill levels including beginners
Workshop Details
Learn the art of decoration and illumination using gilding techniques and real gold. Enjoy creating a single Initial Historical Letter or small Historical Miniature enhanced with vibrant colour and real gold that can be placed in a frame. An initial design will be provided to use on the day, but you may wish, and are most welcome to, bring one of your own ideas.
You will begin the day by learning how to perfect and transfer a design using tracing paper. You will then be taught how to expertly attach the real gold to your design using PVA gum. Once you have illuminated (gilded) your letter, the design will then be painted with bright clean colour using watercolour or gouache paint. By the end of the day, you will have produced a delightful and vibrant piece of work that can be enriched by a small amount of calligraphy or a miniature that can be framed. It is easier than you think and very satisfying! Those with some experience will further improve on gilding techniques and application.
Skills/Techniques Covered
Materials
Materials are not included in your booking fee. Some materials such as Transfer Gold (one sheet of real 24 carat gold) and PVA gum will be provided by the tutor. Also included will be a letter or motif on good quality watercolour paper. The approximate cost of these will be about £5, cash payable to the tutor during the class. You may prefer to supply your own gold, PVA and design in which case there is no charge.
The items you will need to bring with you are listed below.
Please bring with you:
We advise that you do not buy any materials required for a course more than two weeks in advance, because occasionally a course is cancelled due to low enrolment.
10am - 4pm
Lunch & afternoon tea provided
Click here for Timings & Refreshments
This workshop is designed for all skill levels including beginners
Workshop Details
Learn the art of decoration and illumination using gilding techniques and real gold. Enjoy creating a single Initial Historical Letter or small Historical Miniature enhanced with vibrant colour and real gold that can be placed in a frame. An initial design will be provided to use on the day, but you may wish, and are most welcome to, bring one of your own ideas.
You will begin the day by learning how to perfect and transfer a design using tracing paper. You will then be taught how to expertly attach the real gold to your design using PVA gum. Once you have illuminated (gilded) your letter, the design will then be painted with bright clean colour using watercolour or gouache paint. By the end of the day, you will have produced a delightful and vibrant piece of work that can be enriched by a small amount of calligraphy or a miniature that can be framed. It is easier than you think and very satisfying! Those with some experience will further improve on gilding techniques and application.
Skills/Techniques Covered
- Forming letters drawn with a pencil or pen
- Enhancing the design using tracing paper
- Learning the correct way to apply the PVA
- Applying gold correctly
- Understanding, mixing, and applying bright or subtle colour
- Final presentation of work
Materials
Materials are not included in your booking fee. Some materials such as Transfer Gold (one sheet of real 24 carat gold) and PVA gum will be provided by the tutor. Also included will be a letter or motif on good quality watercolour paper. The approximate cost of these will be about £5, cash payable to the tutor during the class. You may prefer to supply your own gold, PVA and design in which case there is no charge.
The items you will need to bring with you are listed below.
Please bring with you:
- a sharp HB and 2H pencil
- a small selection of gouache and watercolour paints
- two paint brushes with excellent points: a No. 2 plus a finer brush (perhaps a No. 00 or No. 000)
- a Fineliner pen, such as Micron or Uniball, in black or dark brown
- an old paintbrush for mixing paint
- a sheet of layout paper, photocopy or cartridge paper for the creation of your designs
- a sheet of tracing paper
- some good-quality paper: about ¼ sheet Hot Pressed (smooth) paper such as Waterford or Fabriano
- a small piece of silk for polishing your real gold
- a burnisher (optional)
- kitchen towel or cloth for wiping brushes or pens
- a pen and various nibs if you wish to add calligraphy to your design
We advise that you do not buy any materials required for a course more than two weeks in advance, because occasionally a course is cancelled due to low enrolment.