Charles Douglas Gilding Studio Gilding classes

Gold leaf and gilding classes - In-person and Online ZOOM classes


Professional Gilding Classes by one of the industry's most respected Master Gilders - Charles Douglas.

The GildedPlanet.com is excited to partner with the Charles Douglas Gilding Studio to provide you with the highest quality, hands on training for the gilding arts. These exciting classes and weekend seminars provide you with basic to advanced techniques and principles for a variety of gilding applications. Whether you're an interior designer, architect, professional gilder, artisan or someone simply interested in this ancient craft, you'll find the classes offered by the Charles Douglas Gilding Studio a must-do resource for all your gilding needs.

Nov 2 - Dec. 28, 2023

The Antique Dutch Black Finish...with Gilded 6k Inner Edge

(On-Line) The Antique Dutch Black Finish...with Gilded Inner Edge

Online Class Project:
Frame: Each Class Series the Dutch Black Finish class creates a completely Finished frame with a gilded inner edge for a specific piece of art.

Join us as we go through each step of the Antique Dutch Black Finish as inspired by 17thc frames from Holland. Before we're finished we'll mordant gild the frame’s Inner Edge in genuine Gold or White Gold Leaf and tone it for aging. A rare opportunity to learn this beautiful finish for picture frames!

All classes are Live on Zoom and Recorded for viewing. Recordings remain accessible for six months. Question and Answer Periods provided during each session.

Learn more and register!


Nov. 7 - Dec. 12, 2023 - On-Line

Pastiglia The Art of Gilded Raised Gesso

(On-line) Pastiglia - The Art of Gilded Raised Gesso.

Pastiglia is an ancient aspect of the art of Traditional Water Gilding. Its raised characteristic was used as Relief ornamentation for frames dating back to the Italian Renaissance and discussed in Cennini’s 15th c Treatise Il Libro Dell’Arte. It remains as an intriguing decorative element today for Frames, Panels, and Furniture.

Students will be guided through the process of making and gilding Pastiglia Relief on a pre-gessoed Birchwood Panel including preparing the rabbit skin glue size and gesso, drawing the raised gesso design, applying clay bole, and gilding and burnishing in 23k gold leaf.

Learn more and register!


NOVEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 27, 2023

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-line) Traditional Water Gilded Picture Frames

Water Gilded 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.

Learn more and register!


NOVEMBER 11 - 25, 2023

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-line) Oil Gilding: The Fundamentals of Gilding Wood, Metal, and Stone

Oil Gilding, also known as a form of Mordant Gilding, is the application of a specially formulated oil-based varnish to a non-porous surface as an adhesive for gilding. This varnish which comes in both Quick Size and Slow Size versions can be used with any precious and non-precious metal leaf including gold leaf, silver leaf, brass, aluminum, palladium, and platinum leaf.

Suitable for both Interior and Exterior applications, Oil Gilding has an extraordinarily wide range of applications, from frames, furniture, and architectural detail to any object made of wood, metal, or stone.

Learn more and register!


NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 29, 2023

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-line) Gilding Kolcaustico Venetian Plaster

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.

Learn more and register!


January 2 - 23, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding For Absolute Beginners

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 their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!


January 5 - April 5, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-line) Water Gilded Panels… from Pastiglia to Sgraffito

Kicking off the New winter Series for 2024 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).s

Learn more and register!


January 16, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Gilding For Absolute Beginners

Location: Sepp Leaf Products Showroom Studio, 381 Park Ave S. 13th Floor) NY, NY

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 their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!


JANUARY 17, 2024

Gilding for Works of Art, a Study for Fine Artists

(In-Person) Gilding for Works of Art, a Study for Fine Artists

Location: Sepp Leaf Products, 381 Park Ave. South, Rm #1301

This popular one-day Intensive gilding class for Fine Artists returns to New York City for Winter Gilding Week 2024!

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.

Learn more and register!


JANUARY 18, 2024

Gilding for Works of Art, a Study for Fine Artists

(In-Person) Gilding for Works of Art, a Study for Fine Artists

Location: Sepp Leaf Products, 381 Park Ave. South, Rm #1301 NYC, NY

Join us for this New 1-Day Intensive Masterclass on The Art of Gilded Raised Gesso! Pastiglia is is an ancient technique used in the art of Traditional Water Gilding. Its raised characteristic was used as Relief ornamentation for frames dating back to the Italian Renaissance and discussed in Cennini’s 15th c Treatise Il Libro Dell’Arte. It remains an intriguing decorative element today for Frames, Panels, and Furniture.

Learn more and register!


JANUARY 19, 2023

Sgraffito

(In-Person) Sgraffito

Location: Sepp Leaf Products, 381 Park Ave. South, Rm #1301 NYC, NY

Sgraffito, Italian for ‘scratched’, is a decorative process used in gilding where design elements are etched into an egg tempera paint which is applied over a burnished water gilded surface revealing the brilliant gold leaf ground underneath..

The use of this medieval decorative approach was used on early gilded and tempera panel paintings, frames, and statuary and continues today as used as embellishment in the centuries-old tradition of finely handcrafted picture frames. Oil Gilding and Water Based Adhesive as a mordant may also be used for the gilding.

Learn more and register!


JANUARY 27, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Whidbey Island ~ Gilding for Works of Art

This popular one-day Intensive gilding class for Fine Artists is among the Series of Gold Leaf Gilding Classes developed by Gilder and Teacher Charles Douglas. Held in such cities as New York, San Francisco, Christchurch, New Zealanf, and Owen Sound, Ontario this particular focus of study is now offered at Charles’ private Gilding Studio on beautiful Whidbey Island, WA where a small group of artists are invited to study incorporating gilding into their own works of art.

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

Learn more and register!


FEBRUARY 6 - 27, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Sculptural Glass Gilding

The beauty of Gold Leaf Gilded Glass will be thoroughly explored during this New 4-Week Online Gilding Class using various select shades and Karats of genuine gold leaf including 23k, 6k White Gold, Palladium, and Moon Gold.

As opposed to the art of Verre Églomisé where the glass is gilded on the reverse of glass, etched, and combined with oil paints, our focus for Sculptural Glass Gilding is gilding the front of glass with an emphasis on gilding varying glass shapes and design and gilding special glass treatments such as glue frosted/sandblasted and chipped glass, as well as multi-colored blown glass to explore how underlying colors impart tonal shifts in the gilding while learning to develop gilding technique in handling gold leaf for varying degrees of complex glass objects.

Learn more and register!


March 26 - April 9, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding For Absolute Beginners

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 their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!


May 10 - August 2, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-line) Water Gilded Panels… from Pastiglia to Sgraffito

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).s

Learn more and register!


July 2 - July 16, 2024, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding For Absolute Beginners

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 their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!


October 15 - 29, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding For Absolute Beginners

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 their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!


October 18 - December 28, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-line) Water Gilded Panels… from Pastiglia to Sgraffito

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).s

Learn more and register!


JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 21, 2023

Sgraffito

(On-line) Sgraffito

Sgraffito, Italian for ‘scratched’, is a decorative process used in gilding where design elements are etched into an egg tempera paint which is applied over a burnished water gilded surface revealing the brilliant gold leaf ground underneath.

The use of this medieval decorative approach was used on early gilded and tempera panel paintings and statuary and continues today as used as embellishment in the centuries-old tradition of finely handcrafted picture frames.

Learn more and register!


FEBRUARY 1-3, 2023 - In-Person

gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Traditional Water Gilded Panels

Location: Sepp Leaf Products, 381 Park Ave. South, Rm #1301

This 3 day class is designed for Fine artists in Egg Tempera, Oils, and Acrylics and takes the student on a journey through each step of the ancient traditional water gilding method. Students learn the laying and gluing of linen, preparing and applying gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 24k gold leaf with an intriguing introduction to granito, the technique of punchwork and incision for decorative embellishment.

Developed for the Fine Artist as well as the student of Iconography and framing, this unique class addresses each specific step of the process. Materials are included and students may use the studio gilding tools during class (optional gilding kits are available through gildedplanet upon request).

Learn more and register!


FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 2, 2023 - On-Line

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding For Absolute Beginners

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.

Learn more and register!


February 15 - MARCH 22, 2023 - On-Line

Roman Gilding bronze powder gold leaf classes

Roman Gilding...a Study in Bronze Powder and other Powder Gilding Techniques

Roman Gilding is a method of applying a finely ground Bronze Powder to a prepared surface in a water based method embedded in rabbit skin glue as a binder. This is one of several methods of working with bronze powders for decorative finishes often used in the early 20th c for picture frames

Learn more and register!


MAY 3 - JUNE 21, 2022

23kt gold Traditional Water Gilding for Picture Frames

(On-line) Gilded Picture Frame Series: Traditional Water Gilding for Picture Frames… in 23k Gold Leaf

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.

Learn more and register!


MARCH 28 - APRIL 18, 2023

how to gold leaf book edges

(On-line) An Introduction to the Art of Book Edge Gilding

The art of applying gold leaf to the paper edges of books

Join us for this very special month long Zoom! Online series on Book Edge Gilding, 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 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.

Learn more and register!


MARCH 29, 2023

How to make gesso putty for gilding and restoration

(On-line) Gesso Putty

How to Make your Own for Repairs and Restoration

Gesso putty - from making, to filling to shaping! Join us for this special one-part 90 Minute Masterclass on this important component in the restoration and conservation of gold leaf gilded frames, furniture, and other antique gilded wooden objects.

Most of historical and contemporary forms of gilded wood includes the use of gesso, the foundation for gilding which fills the grain of wood and in the case of traditional water gilding, allows for the burnishing of gold leaf.

Learn more and register!


APRIL 5 - 26, 2023

Gilding for Works of Art, a Study for Fine Artists

(On-Line) Gilding for 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 oils and acrylics.

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!


APRIL 7 - MAY 19, 2023

gold leaf classes

(On-line) Glass Gilding... Introductiojn to Verre Églomisé

A new 6 week Intensive 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. Explore the beautiful artistry of gilded mirrors In both Modern solid gild and abraded ‘antique’ Finishes. Learn to gild with precious 23k gold and 6k white gold leaf, choose the appropriate oil paint for ‘backing up’, and etch designs into gilded glass, an historical approach to verre églomisé.

Learn more and register!


MAY 3 - 5, 2023 - In Person

Gold Leaf Restoration: Moulds, Casting, Beginning Water Gilding

(In Person) Gold Leaf Restoration: Moulds, Casting, Beginning Water Gilding

Location: Georgian Bay Conservation, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

This exciting week of gilding in Owen Sound offers a 3-Day Intensive in the world of Gold Leaf Restoration of Picture Frames. Explore a non-toxic silicone method of creating moulds for casting missing frame ornaments in hydrocal, gesso putty for filling holes and gouges, preparing gesso and clay bole, and traditional water gilding in 23k gold leaf.

Learn more and register!


MAY 6, 2023 - In Person

gold leaf classes for Fine Artists

(In Person) Gold Leaf Gilding for Works of Art. A Study for Fine Artists

Location: Georgian Bay Conservation, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

This popular one-day Intensive gilding class for Fine Artists returns to Owen Sound at Georgian Bay Art Conservation. Students explore the various methods of working with 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 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 acrylic and the possibilities with oil mediums and other options.

Learn more and register!


MAY 7, 2023 - In Person

Glass Gilding... Introductiojn to Verre Églomisé

(In Person) Glass Gilding... Introduction to Verre Églomisé

Location: Georgian Bay Conservation, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

Spring 2023 brings the return of the popular gilding workshop Glass Gilding: Introduction to Verre Églomisé to Owen Sound, Ontario by Gilder and Teacher Charles Douglas! This special One-Day Intensive Gilding Class, to be held at Georgian Bay Conservation introduces students to the art of verre églomisé with a focus on achieving a proper balance between brilliancy and bonding between the gold leaf and the glass. Explore the beautiful artistry of gilded mirrors and other gilded glass art objects and learn to gild with precious 6k white gold leaf while taking part in a demonstration with 23k gold leaf. This is a hands-on class with a focus on gilding along with general instruction on etching into the leaf and tutoring on backing up the image in oil based paints.

Learn more and register!


JUNE 6, 2023 - In Person

gold leaf classes

(In Person) Glass Gilding... Introduction to Verre Églomisé

Location: Sepp Leaf Products - 381 Park Ave S. Rm. #1301 NYC, NY

For One Time Only during 2023 Spring brings the return of the popular gilding workshop Glass Gilding: Introduction to Verre Églomisé to New York by gilder and reknowned instructor Charles Douglas! This special One-Day Intensive Gilding Class, to be held at Sepp Leaf Products in Manhattan introduces students to the art of verre églomisé with a focus on achieving a proper balance between brilliancy and bonding between the gold leaf and the glass. Explore the beautiful artistry of gilded mirrors and other gilded glass art objects and learn to gild with precious 6k white gold leaf while taking part in a demonstration with 23k gold leaf. This is a hands-on class with a focus on gilding along with general instruction on etching into the leaf and reverse painting.

Learn more and register!


JUNE 16 - 30, 2023

Gilding with Garlic as an adhesive size

(On-line) Gilding with Garlic... and other Ancient Mordants

Gilders throughout history have often depended upon plant gums and resins for use as binders in gilding including gum ammoniac, glair, gum arabic, propolis, and garlic juice (Ilinocopia). They can be seen in manuscript illumination and sacred objects. Join us as we venture into the medieval world of gilding with garlic where we’ll crush these aromatic bulbs with a mortar and pestle, mix the juice with raw gum ammoniac from Northern Africa, and gild with genuine 23k gold leaf.

Learn more and register!


JUNE 21 - 27, 2023

Sacred gilding gold leaf classes

Sacred Gilding...Gilding the Buddha

A Two-Part Masterclass in Gold Leaf Gilding

Sacred Gilding...Gilding The Buddha…This Sacred Gilding Masterclass takes students on a journey to the ancient practice of gold leaf gilding of a Buddha.

We begin with the sound of the Tibetan Singing Bowl followed by a brief discussion of the use of gilding in Sacred practice with an emphasis on the technical use of the Mordant Gilding method. A non-animal water-based adhesive is used in the beautiful gilding of the Buddha in genuine gold leaf.

Learn more and register!


AUGUST 3 - SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

Gold Leaf Restoration: Moulds, Casting, Beginning Water Gilding

(On Line) Gold Leaf Restoration: Ingilding

Mould Casting, Ingilding, Toning

The focus of this Gold Leaf Restoration Series: Ingilding, Toning, and Casting is the repair of the gilded surface with new water gilded gold leaf inserted into areas of gilding loss and applied Toning to blend with the existing Finish. Additional attention is paid to mould casting for missing ornamentation and other areas of Restoration.

Learn more and register!


AUGUST 22 - OCTOBER 10, 2023

Gold Leaf Restoration: Moulds, Casting, Beginning Water Gilding

(On Line) Mordant Gilded Picture Frames

With Egg Tempera Sgraffito Panel

This new Mordant Gilding for Picture Frames Course is designed for the Picture Framer or Fine Artist interested in learning to gild their own frames. Mordant Gilding is a method that involves either an oil or water-based Size or adhesive to adhere the gold leaf or other metal leaf to the surface of the frame.

Students will learn to make and apply traditional gesso, apply a color undercoats, and gild using an acrylic emulsion water-based Size. Brass leaf, also known as Composition Gold, Dutch Metal, or Imitation Gold will be used for the Online frame project. The brass leaf will then be toned and sealed.

Learn more and register!


CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY - More great classes coming soon!


Cancellation Policy ~

If student cancels class or a date postponement is needed due to an event outside of the control of the Charles Douglas Gilding Studio such as COVID-19, a full tuition credit, which does not expire and of same or equal value, will be provided for any available future class and any available location. Full tuition refund if instructor cancels class (student airfare not included; airfare insurance recommended).

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