How (not) to Gold Leaf Pt.1

[saflami]

He´s funny!!!! .... If you want to laugh, watch this!!!! huahuahuahuaaaaa...

[medusavolvo]

oh jesus that was the worst tutorial I have ever seen...

[sp00nman88]

Rub the ox hair brush (if thats what you have) across your hair a few dozen times, or find a woolen sweater and rub it across that vigerously. What you want is for the brush to develop a electrical charge (common static electricity) If you had a HAIRY arm, it might work, but for those who dont have hairy arms, it isnt going to work well. Make sure you have clean hair as well (not greasy and dirty like mine & most artists :P) No static = hard time gilding. Good luck mate..

[labyrinthiansmile]

Haha! So funny, and also helpful to know that I'm not the only one that struggles with the cutting! Thanks for posting.

[judecalverttoulmin]

@iwens 1966 ahahahahahahaha you miserable old scrote bag!

[supermetalmario101]

Your voice sounds alot like the doctors voice from Doctor Who.

Also mind the name. Old account. Too lazy to make a new one.

[M4R1N4]

Glad to know I'm not the only one... :)

[RubiconXing]

Hahaha this is so funny!!! Thanks for the vid I'm just starting to use this on my oil paintings and thought I was the only one going insane!!!

[SuzyQhendrix]

I liked this video becasue it shows you how it really happens, especially to novices, the videos that edit the faliures out, are not nearly as informative or realistic. thank you

[SuzyQhendrix]

I liked this video becasue it shows you how it really happens, especially to novices, the videos that edit the faliures out, are not nearly as informative or realistic. thank you

[freeskier92314]

Why did you upload this to youtube?

[typhoon320i]

it should be Titled "gilding fail".

[nancynibs]

oh-oh, and this is why I should read previous posts before I open my mouth. sorry mate!

[nancynibs]

don't know if anyone has already said this, so apologies if I'm repeating, but if you rub a tiny, and I mean tiny, amount of vaseline on your forearm, then stroke the gilders tip across if, it picks up the leaf much easier. Happy gilding :-)

[iwens1966]

I truely regret wasting the 7 plus minutes of my life watching this rubbish.

[artbizness]

@iwens1966 Happy New Year to you.

[slivertin]

@artbizness LOL!! ME TO.....

[mrbluenun]

Hi, continuing on from the first piece.

Why not sharpen your knife a little, then polish it, and if you are worried about the rust, taken it down with anything up to 1000 grit and then, is it on to gild the brush so it does not go rusty again? You should really have a small square of pad to lay the gold leaf on, tied to your wrist. That way you can video and use the gold as a demonstration,

Take care,

mrbluenun

[mrbluenun]

Hi artbizness,

My Dad and Uncle did a lot of Gilding in several Churches, and they both used to drag the brush across their hair on their head, as long as you do not use 'jel' it works fine.

But I have tried and it is a little like juggling soot I admit!

Good luck.

mrbluenun

[RratsArtStudio]

Boy, you don't have a bloody clue of what u are doin. Good grief man... just take your clothes off for the camera...that would be nicer.

[bimbosk8]

I really don't know if anyone here has tried this, but i use "Rabbit" glue or Carpenter glue disolved in water with a little alcohol to set the leaves, they don't wrinkle as much as with Mixtion, this glue kinda stretches the leaves when it's dry.

[joecalder]

5:32 hahahaha yes!

[TheFrankyspicer]

you do not have a clue!!!!! very amusing though.......this is all i do all day for more than ten years , and you my friend need some help , brave to post the demonstration video !!!!!!

[cassey05]

how long does it take wait for the glue to get dry and tacky?

[siddeoz]

Nice video! I like the the technique where you blow on it to flatten it out. Pretty ambitious trying to do this kind of delicate two-hand work while being your own cameraman!

[skip8619]

Has anyone had any experience with using linseed oil for size, or boiled linseed oil?

Thanks

[b1llyb0y]

@gilding This is not entirely correct, many things affect the finish of Gold.

If you are using Japan size as an example, it does not have ample flow time to remove brush strokes, If you are using Charbonnel (Lefranc & Mixtion) you will get a beautiful finish. (although similar shine)

Both are oil based, different formula's to be sure but they provide similar finishes sans brush strokes and other technical details.

[gilding]

@b1llyb0y Yes, I agree, many things affect the look of gilding. Lefranc is indeed considered the best oil size although they went through a period of unpredictability when they reformulated it by removing the lead. They reformulated it once again improving it's quality. Materials such as acrylic emulsion also have the same drawback that you mentioned of not settling out and leaving brush strokes.

[akatim456]

I watched the video 2 first.... A 1950's style eating knife is perfect for cutting, available at any car boot sale, or borrow one of granny's (no serrated edges)

[LearnCalligraphyUK]

You need to pass the brush through your (clean) hair to pick up the gold leaf. It's the static that lifts it - not grease from your skin. You should keep your brush clear of your skin ... the gold can stick to grease and you may not get it off the brush.

[gilding]

Respond to this video...

[gilding]

It actually is the use of oil from the skin or hair that is used to pick up gold or silver leaf, it is not static. This misnomer has been around for a very long time. Static, when present, makes leaf jump. It may be present on the 'Tip' (brush, or in the room where gilding, but its not what a gilder is trying to generate. The tip is drawn against the arm or through the hair to pick up just the right amount of natural oil.

[b1llyb0y]

@gilding This is also not entirely correct, there are two ways which one can "lift" the leaf.

One is by static (using your hair) which can be witnessed by the leaf beginning to magically float up to the gilders tip.

and two is by using the oils which can reside in your hair (if your hair is oily -- yuck!) and transfer to the gilders tip OR you can use run the very ends of the tip on Vaseline or Butter.

[gilding]

@b1llyb0y Thank you but I still disagree. Yes, static is sometimes present but it isn't what one wants to use to manipulate the leaf, it's too erratic. Static will fight against you, the oil works with you.

[kmoamelin]

its actually aas your video says: how not to... :9

[knibbys]

You have to load the brush for picking up the gold leafs with some static energy, so you may better try to load it by going over your head :)

[gilding]

@knibbys Again, it's not static, it's skin oil. Truly.

[AyalaArt]

This was so funny! I love the video :oD

[Cre8iveSignWorks]

why could you not just use little bits straight from the backing paper?

[strawberrylaralara]

you made me laugh!!  ...:)

[anthonym987]

i want to start using gold leaf in some paintings

is it nessecary to use that winsor and newton medium? or with it just stick to the canvas?

can i use the along side with oils or arylics?

Thanks

[b1llyb0y]

you can use any water based or oil based adhesive, you dont even need to use adhesives (drying paint, drying clear, anything that dries with a tack)

[gilding]

@b1llyb0y Yes, but the way gold leaf looks on a surface depends upon the type of size (adhesive) used. With mordant gilding, there are particular oil sizes that are specially formulated for use with gold leaf. Gold or silver leaf will indeed stick to anything tacky but it doesn't necessarily mean it looks good. The drying times involved with gilding materials can also be used to gauge how satin or bright the gilding will appear.

[Winksartist]

Although you did't quite make it, I found this video more useful than others I've watched. What I really want to know is how to use very small bits of gold leaf on the sterling silver jewellery I make. What do I use for sizing? Can I heat the silver after the gold leaf has been applied? Can I solder the silver after ...? Would I have to varnish the gold leaf afterwards?

[Clakoe]

for the brush version you would need to use the tiniest amount of greese, go ones or twize over your forehead thats enough, should work

[HRHconstance]

Incredibly helpful, and entertaining.

I don't feel like such a clumsy oaf now, either!

;)

[HRHconstance]

You could sharpen the knife, no? would be a few bucks or free even.

[88nien88]

haha that was funny.. I just started working with gold leaf. Sometimes it´s so frustrating, it sticks on everything!

I just cut it with a scissor, while the gold is still on the ´protecting paper´. And that works! (Sometimes..) :)