Lesson 1Properties of genuine gold leaf: karat, microns, color stability, and handlingCheck out how karat, thickness, an mix a metals affect color, bendiness, an rust resistance in real gold leaf, an learn right way fi handle, store, an cut it fi nuh waste, damage, or bad spots.
Karat ratings and alloy metal proportionsMicron thickness and mechanical strengthColor stability and tarnish resistanceHandling loose leaf on cushion and tipStorage, transport, and contamination risksLesson 2Gold leaf thickness and nomenclature (e.g., 23k, 24k, loose leaf sizes, micron ratings)Clear up how karat marks, leaf styles, an micron numbers link to purity, strength, an feel when workin. Learn fi read maker charts so yuh match leaf type an thickness to project needs an budget.
Reading karat marks and purity standardsLoose leaf book sizes and sheet layoutTransfer leaf formats and backing papersMicron ratings and wear resistanceSelecting leaf type for project demandsLesson 3Surface substrates: wood panel, MDF, gessoed board, prepared masonite — pros and consCheck wood, MDF, gesso panels, an masonite as gildin bases, tinkin bout movement, soak-up, an prep needs, so yuh pick an seal surfaces weh hold strong an stop crackin, liftin, or color change.
Solid wood panels and seasonal movementMDF boards, density, and edge sealingGessoed panels for fine art gildingMasonite and hardboard preparation stepsPrimers, sealers, and barrier coatsLesson 4Types of size (adhesive): oil size formulations, water-based sizes, and modern synthetic sizesCheck out oil, water-base, an fake sizes, dem open time, shine, an mix wid leaves an surfaces, an learn fi test stickiness, control dryin, an dodge common stick fail or show-tru problems.
Oil size open time and curing stagesWater-based size behavior and limitsModern acrylic and synthetic size optionsTesting for proper tack before laying leafCommon adhesion and print-through problemsLesson 5Imitation leaf varieties: composition, cost, durability, and when to useCompare usual fake leaf mixes, dem look, cost, an age behave, an learn when money, place, or design make dem better or risky pick over real gold fi inside, outside, or short-time jobs.
Copper, brass, and aluminum compositionsVisual differences versus genuine goldOxidation, sealing, and long-term agingCost planning for large surface projectsChoosing imitation leaf for specific contextsLesson 6Transfer leaf vs loose leaf: advantages, limitations, and handling differencesCompare transfer an loose leaf fi control, speed, an surface quality. Learn when each one shine, how fi change style fi flat or carve work, an how fi cut waste, crease, an extra gildin.
How transfer leaf is manufacturedAdvantages on flat and vertical surfacesLoose leaf for carved and delicate detailsTechnique changes between the two formatsAvoiding waste, overlap, and stuck backingLesson 7Tools and consumables: gilder's tip, cushion, knives, brushes, transfer paper, cotton glovesPick an use right gildin tools an tings, from tips an cushions to knives, brushes, an gloves, an learn clean-up ways fi keep edges sharp, hairs clean, an surfaces free from dust an oil.
Gilder’s cushion, knife, and cutting techniqueGilder’s tip loading and leaf transferSoft brushes for skewings and finishingTransfer paper and masking materialsGloves, dust control, and tool careLesson 8Traditional bole and its formulations: clay bole, color choices, and effect on warmthKnow wha bole is, how clay, glue, an color mix, an how color pick affect warmth, shine-back, an polish. Learn mix, put-on, an sand ways fi smooth, ready grounds fi water gildin.
Components of traditional clay boleMixing bole with glue to usable consistencyApplying and leveling bole layersColor selection for tonal warmth controlBurnishing response and surface sheen
