Traditional Water Gilded Picture Frames

Learn each step of this ancient traditional water gilding method, from gesso and clay bole to laying and burnishing genuine 12k white gold leaf. The focus of this particular class project is a Contemporary 1” flat Slanted profile with a light rub to show the underlying clay bole, a challenging though beautiful water gilded Finish.

Gilding Picture Frames. Traditional Water Gilding for Picture Frames.

Gilding Picture Frames. Traditional Water Gilding for Picture Frames.

This popular Workshop takes the student on a journey through each step of the ancient traditional water gilding method, from gesso and clay bole to laying and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf.

Each lesson addresses a specific step of the process, keeping it challenging while not overwhelming. Creating a modern ‘Rub’ where some of the gold leaf is gently rubbed away to reveal the overlapping leaves of gold and color of the underlying clay bole is also demonstrated.

All classes are Live on Zoom and Recorded for viewing by students which remain accessible for 6 months Links for the Live class are sent to students about a week before the class series begins. Links for the recordings are also emailed to students a few days after each Live session.

A Live Question and Answer Period is provided at the end of each weekly session, a time to gather online and to talk about the many questions related to this beautiful ancient artform.

Students will need a set of gilding tools such as the pad, knife, and tip, various brushes, a book of 23k gold leaf and an object such as a raw wood picture frame to gild. A materials list and helpful links will be provided upon Registration

This is an 8 session class for a total of 12 hours. Each session is 90 minutes.

Date Location Time Price Status Register Now
March 9, 16, 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023 On Line 11:00am - 12:30pm PST (2pm - 3:30pm EST; Adjust for Local Time Zones; US Time Change moves forward 1 hour March 12, 2023) $325.00 AVAILABLE REGISTER NOW

Class Materials

Charles Douglas Classes - Water Gilding

Discount code will be provided during your workshop!

Complete Class Kit - Special

Purchase all the recommended tools from this educational series in one easy step.

CDWG/KIT $ 395.00
 Use discount code at checkout - provided by instructor - to save even more!

Also available, Sepp Leaf Professional Water Gilding Kits. Water Gilding Tool Kit, with gesso (whiting), rabbit skin glue, clay bole and genuine 22kt Gold leaf and our Water Gilding Materials Kit, including Gilders Tip brush, gilding pad and gilding knife at Water Gilding Kits.

Purchase class items individually

Re-load on essential items!!! Every artist knows that If you use your tools right, then they will preform for you. True work horses - and in a pinch, you know which are your "go-to" tools. But even your hardest working friends need refreshing. Now is your time. And enjoy a special discount on the folowing items, exclusively through the Charles Douglas Gilding Studio Workshops. Thanks for participating in our workshops!

Use discount code at checkout - provided by instructor - to save even more!

213K/3.5 $ 90.00
 Pure Sable Kolinsky - Single - 3.5" width x 2" Length - French 		Gilder's Tip
MA13 $ 68.50
 MA13 Agate stone burnisher - Wood Handle - German 		Agate Burnisher
61/2 $ 23.00
 Pure Kazan Squirrel - Pointed Mop - Quill Ferrule - Wood Handle - French 		8mm Brush
625/1 $ 32.00
 Mixed Squirrel - 1" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German		 1" Brush
GK/S $ 39.00
 Gilders Knife - Single edge with square tip 5½" blade 		Gilders Knife
GP/D $ 74.00
 Gilders Pad, Delux 7" x 9.1/2" W/O SHIELD - Italian		 Gilders Pad
CARB3/1 $ 15.00
 Florence Rouge Whiting - Gesso powder - 1 lb		 Dry Gesso
RSG330/1 $ 28.00
 Framers Glue - Rabbit Skin Glue - German Fine Granulated - 1 lb		 Rabbit Skin Glue 1lb.
3355P/5 $ 46.50
 Selhamin Red Bole - 5oz jar - Wet 		Red Bole - Clay
MA23.00DB/B $ 96.00
 Manetti Brand - 23kt Double Gold Leaf Book - Loose Leaf - 18 grams		 23kt Gold Leaf

Related Products

More Gilder's brushes
Gilders Tip Brush

For use with Loose Leaf gold. Various sizes. Allows you to pick up look leaf gold sheets and move the gold to the gilding surface without the need to touch the leaf.

More 22kt gold
22Kt Gold Leaf

This popular leaf is available as packs of 500 lvs, books of 25 leaves, on ribbon gold leaf.

More oils size options
Dux Quick Dry Oil size - gilding adhesive

This solvent based oil size is available in variuos sizes. Self leveling for a high quality finish. Quick size comes to 'tack' in approx. 1 - 1 1/2 hours and has an open time for up to 3 hours.

More Gilder's brushes
2" Gilder's Squirrel mop brush

Ultra soft squirrel hair brush - ideal for polishing gilded surfaces. With a range of sizes, this brush is ideal for removing skewings after the gilding process.