Charles Douglas Gilding Studio classes

(On-Line) How To Gild Book Edges

Join us for this very special 4-week series on Book Edge Gilding on Zoom! Online series, the art of applying gold leaf to the paper edges of books. Designed for the beginner, students will learn to prepare and seal the paper edge, apply a clay bole ground, prepare an egg white size known as glair, and gild and burnish the book edges with genuine 23k gold leaf.

Intended as an entry-level introduction to this beautiful method of gilding for book edges this series is well-suited for creating gilt edges for personal use and a perfect starting-point for further study in the book arts.

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(In-Person) Gilding… for Absolute Beginners! - NYC

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during class to gild an object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) with the use of acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Continuing with the use of acrylic we move to gilding with genuine 23k gold leaf including a brief but intriguing demonstration of other gilding methods such as traditional water gilding and glass gilding/verre églomisé to help prepare students for future study.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(On-line) Water Gilded Panels~ Pastiglia to Sgraffito!

Kicking off the New winter Series for 2025 with this Special 12 week Workshop designed for the Fine artist working specifically on Panels in Egg Tempera, Oils, or Acrylics. This extended format of the popular Water Gilded Panels class takes the student on a journey through each step of the ancient traditional water gilding method all the way through the historical techniques of Granito (Punchwork and Incision), Pastiglia (Raised Gesso), and Sgraffito (Traditional Egg Tempera applied over the burnished gold leaf with decorative designs etched through to reveal the underlying gold leaf).

Students learn the laying and gluing of Muslin or fine Linen, preparing and applying gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as well as adding embellishments through the techniques of granito, pastiglia, and sgraffito. We apply the raised gesso to the panel corners, prepare and apply traditional egg tempera, and incorporate punchwork and incision into the exposed gold leaf that lies below the egg tempera highlighting our sgraffito, an ancient method for catching and reflecting the light.

Each lesson addresses a specific step of the process, keeping it challenging while not overwhelming. Students will need a set of gilding tools such as the pad, knife, and tip, various brushes, a book of 23k gold leaf and a raw wood panel to gild.

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(On-line) Gilding Kolcaustico Venetian Plaster For Interior Walls

Venetian Plaster has been traced back by some sources to the 1st century AD in Mesopotamia, intriguingly the same origin as gilding some centuries before. It remains today as a wall finish of elegant depth and complexity.

A Contemporary Acrylic Venetian Plaster by Kolcaustico has become popular in the architectural field. Due to its nature of allowing the development of texture it lends itself as an intriguing medium that can work in tandem with the ancient art of gold leaf gilding.

For both the interior Finisher and Fine artist working on Panels these gilded textures can take on extraordinary expression while working with a variety of metal leafs, from genuine 24k gold to Palladium, Caplain, and Moon Gold, to Brass and Aluminum metal leaf.

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Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person) Gilding… for Absolute Beginners! - NYC

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during class to gild an object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) with the use of acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Continuing with the use of acrylic we move to gilding with genuine 23k gold leaf including a brief but intriguing demonstration of other gilding methods such as traditional water gilding and glass gilding/verre églomisé to help prepare students for future study.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person) Traditional Water Gilding For Picture Frame & Panels - NYC

This popular 3-day class is designed for all those looking to learn the Traditional Method of Water Gilding, from Fine Artists to Picture Framers to Furniture Makers and beyond! Students learn to prepare and apply gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as we take a journey through each of the steps in this beautiful ancient method of gilding.

Traditional Water Gilding is the same for any object of wood. The subtle differences between gilding Panels, Picture Frames, and other wooden objects will be discussed while every student gets to take home their project gilded in class.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person NYC) Gilding for Works of Art

This popular one-day Intensive gilding class for Fine Artists returns to New York City for Spring 2025!

Students explore the various methods of working with Brass metal leaf, Aluminum leaf, and Gold and Silver leaf on canvas, paper, and panels for both background and embellishment. Learn to lay a genuine 23k gold leaf ground for painting while discovering the use of MSA varnish and GAC200/500 for protection of tarnishable metals and providing isolating coats for painting in acrylics and a discussion of options in oils.

Instructor Charles Douglas will patiently take you through the intricacies of working with delicate gold leaf and how to tame it with the proper use of the gilder's tip, pad, and knife. Explore such ancient mordants as gum ammoniac, and glair, and contemporary oil size and acrylic emulsion. ~

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(On-Line) Gilding for Works of Art

This popular one-day Intensive gilding class for Fine Artists returns to New York City for Spring 2025!

Students explore the various methods of working with Brass metal leaf, Aluminum leaf, and Gold and Silver leaf on canvas, paper, and panels for both background and embellishment. Learn to lay a genuine 23k gold leaf ground for painting while discovering the use of MSA varnish and GAC200/500 for protection of tarnishable metals and providing isolating coats for painting in acrylics and a discussion of options in oils.

Instructor Charles Douglas will patiently take you through the intricacies of working with delicate gold leaf and how to tame it with the proper use of the gilder's tip, pad, and knife. Explore such ancient mordants as gum ammoniac, and glair, and contemporary oil size and acrylic emulsion. ~

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(On-Line) Glass Gilding/Verre Églomisé

A new full 8 week Online Gilding Course introduces students to the art of Verre Églomisé with a focus on achieving a proper balance between brilliancy and bonding between the gold and silver leaf and the glass.

Students will learn to properly clean the glass, choose the appropriate backup paint and explore the following Glass Gilding Techniques:

- Single Gilding, Double Gilding, and Spot Gilding

- The Verre Églomisé technique of Etching Reverse Designs into the Gold to be seen from the Front

- Abrading the Leaf for Antiqued Effects

- Gilding Designs in Positive snd Negative Space

- Gilding the Exterior of Glass as a Decorative Finish

Explore the beautiful artistry of gilded glass and mirrors In both Modern solid gild and abraded ‘antique’ Finishes in 23k Gold snd 6k White Gold Leaf.

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(In-Person, New Zealand) Gilding Classes: Christchurch, New Zealand

Water Gilding returns to Christchurch, New Zealand! As taught in New York City this popular 3-day class is designed for all those looking to learn the Traditional Method of Water Gilding, from Custom Picture Framers to Fine Artists seeking to incorporate the traditional method of gilding into their Gilded Panel Paintings, suitable for Egg Tempera, Oils, or Acrylics. As we take a journey through each step of this beautiful ancient method of gilding students learn:

- To prepare and apply gesso and clay bole for both Picture Frames and Panels

- Gild by laying genuine 23k gold leaf

- Burnishing

Punchwork, the embossed design elements of Punchwork and Incision as seen on 13th - 18th c Florentine Panels.

Traditional Water Gilding is the same for any object of wood. The subtle differences between gilding Picture Frames, Panels, and other wooden objects will be demonstrated while every student gets to choose a Frame or Panel to gild in class which they get to take home!

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(On-Line) Flat Gilding on Paper and Egg Tempera

Gilding paper, applying thin leaves of gold leaf to paper is technique used over thousands of years for use in manuscript illumination. It can be done with raised gesso creating a low relief or gilded flat with no height from the page, an approach known as Flat Gilding.

Both methods of Raised and Flat Gilding can be adapted by the Fine artist working in various mediums on paper, such as watercolor, pastels, or egg tempera. A class of special interest to Fine Artists, Caligraphers, Scribes, and Alternative Photographers!

Sgraffito is a technique that is used in gilding where a paint such as egg tempera is applied over gold or silver leaf and then a design etched through the paint to reveal the underlying leaf.

This class addresses the technique of Flat Gilding with applied EGg Tempera Paint for Sgraffito.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person) ~ Gilding for Works of Art

This popular one-day Intensive gilding class for Fine Artists returns to New York City for Spring 2025!

Students explore the various methods of working with gold and silver leaf on canvas and paper for both background and embellishment.

Learn to lay a genuine 23k gold leaf ground for painting as well as brass and silver colored aluminum leaf. Discover the use of MSA Varnish and GAC 200/500 as an isolating coat to protect tarnishable metals while successfully painting over the gilding with your choice of oil or acrylic mediums.

Instructor Charles Douglas will patiently take you through the intricacies of working with delicate gold leaf and how to tame it with the proper use of the gilder's tip, pad, and knife. Explore such ancient mordants as gum ammoniac, and glair, and contemporary oil size and acrylic emulsion.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person) ~ Traditional Water Gilding For Picture Frames & Panels

This popular 3-day class is designed for all those looking to learn the Traditional Method of Water Gilding, from Fine Artists to Picture Framers to Furniture Makers and beyond! Students learn to prepare and apply gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as we take a journey through each of the steps in this beautiful ancient method of gilding.

Traditional Water Gilding is the same for any object of wood. The subtle differences between gilding Panels, Picture Frames, and other wooden objects will be discussed while every student gets to take home their project gilded in class.

Students may choose either a Frame or Panel for their Class Project (email the Gilding Studio to request your preference after Registering and it will be provided to you on your first day of class).

Whether you’re a Professional Custom Picture Framer, Fine Artist working on Gilded Panel Paintings, Iconographer, interested in Architectural Interiors, or a Student looking to learn the Traditional Water Gilding method you will find this class among the most incredibly useful classes offered in this ancient technique. Immerse yourself in three intensive days of gilding!

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person) ~ Gilding Classes ~ Kelowna, British Columbia

Gilding For Absolute Beginners ~ June 26, 2025

Gilding For Works of Art: June 27, 2025

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning.

Students will learn:

- To gild a three-dimensional object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) and Genuine 23k Gold Leaf

- How to handle Genuine Gold Leaf with the traditional Gilder’s Tools while addressing common issues of gold sticking to your knife, static in the room, and knicks in the knife that can tear the gold.

- Apply a Contemporary acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. (It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces including artist canvases).

- Learn to prepare and gild with Glair (beaten egg white), an ancient mordant used for paper and glass gilding.

- This is an excellent entry to the beautiful and mysterious world of gold leaf gilding. So bring all of those gilding questions you have had for our hands-on gilding discussions!

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(On-Line) ~ Gilding for Works of Art

Designed for the Fine artist interested in incorporating Gilding into their own Works of Art. Students explore the various methods of working with Brass metal leaf, Aluminum leaf, and Gold and Silver leaf on canvas, paper, and panels for both background and embellishment. Learn to lay a genuine 23k gold leaf ground for painting while discovering the use of MSA varnish and GAC200/500 for protection of tarnishable metals and providing isolating coats for painting in acrylics and a discussion of options in oils.

Instructor Charles Douglas will patiently take you through the intricacies of working with delicate gold leaf and how to tame it with the proper use of the gilder's tip, pad, and knife. Explore such ancient mordants as gum ammoniac, and glair, and contemporary oil size and acrylic emulsion.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(On-Line) ~ The Art of Gilded Raised Gesso

Gilded Raised Gesso, sometimes referred to as Pastiglia is an ancient technique of Traditional Water Gilding often used in Manuscript Illumination. Its raised characteristic was used as Relief ornamentation for manuscripts dating to at least the 12th c as well as frames during the Italian Renaissance as discussed in Cennini’s 15th c Treatise Il Libro Dell’Arte. It remains as an intriguing decorative element today for works of art on Paper, Frames, Panels, and Furniture.

Students will be guided through the process of making and gilding a low Relief for paper while learning to prepare rabbit skin glue size, gum ammoniac, illinocopoia (garlic juice), and gesso. Learn to draw the raised gesso design, prepare clay bole, and gild with breathing through a bamboo straw and burnish 23k gold leaf. Students will also explore Flat Gilding on paper without Relief for contrast.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person) ~ Gilding Classes ~ Logan, Utah

Gilding For Absolute Beginners ~ June 26, 2025

Gilding For Works of Art: June 27, 2025

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning.

Students will learn:

- To gild a three-dimensional object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) and Genuine 23k Gold Leaf

- How to handle Genuine Gold Leaf with the traditional Gilder’s Tools while addressing common issues of gold sticking to your knife, static in the room, and knicks in the knife that can tear the gold.

- Apply a Contemporary acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. (It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces including artist canvases).

- Learn to prepare and gild with Glair (beaten egg white), an ancient mordant used for paper and glass gilding.

- This is an excellent entry to the beautiful and mysterious world of gold leaf gilding. So bring all of those gilding questions you have had for our hands-on gilding discussions!

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person) Gilding… for Absolute Beginners! - NYC

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during class to gild an object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) with the use of acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Continuing with the use of acrylic we move to gilding with genuine 23k gold leaf including a brief but intriguing demonstration of other gilding methods such as traditional water gilding and glass gilding/verre églomisé to help prepare students for future study.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(In-Person) Traditional Water Gilding For Picture Frame & Panels - NYC

This popular 3-day class is designed for all those looking to learn the Traditional Method of Water Gilding, from Fine Artists to Picture Framers to Furniture Makers and beyond! Students learn to prepare and apply gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as we take a journey through each of the steps in this beautiful ancient method of gilding.

Traditional Water Gilding is the same for any object of wood. The subtle differences between gilding Panels, Picture Frames, and other wooden objects will be discussed while every student gets to take home their project gilded in class.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials

(On-Line) Gilding for Works of Art

Designed for the Fine artist interested in incorporating Gilding into their own Works of Art. Students explore the various methods of working with Brass metal leaf, Aluminum leaf, and Gold and Silver leaf on canvas, paper, and panels for both background and embellishment. Learn to lay a genuine 23k gold leaf ground for painting while discovering the use of MSA varnish and GAC200/500 for protection of tarnishable metals and providing isolating coats for painting in acrylics and a discussion of options in oils.

Instructor Charles Douglas will patiently take you through the intricacies of working with delicate gold leaf and how to tame it with the proper use of the gilder's tip, pad, and knife. Explore such ancient mordants as gum ammoniac, and glair, and contemporary oil size and acrylic emulsion.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials