Using gold leaf in painting
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- čas přidán 19. 02. 2022
- Gold leaf has a bit of a scary reputation. It is viewed as expensive and difficult to work with. But that does not have to be the case. While professional gilders are highly skilled, there are short cuts which the artist can take to add a beautiful hint (or indeed, bucket load) of gold to their work.
In this film, I introduce you to gold leaf - real and imitation, look at its forms (loose leaf, transfer, flakes, variegated) and then show you how I use it in my paintings. I don't show how I painted the birds, but if you are interested it is ink and watercolour on a wooden panel. You might like a course I have over at www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk
I love gold leaf. It brings a shine you would simply not get with gold ink, gold acrylic or even enamel paint. You can add tiny touches and highlights, or big swathes of it. The choice is entirely yours, but the process will be the same.
I work in watercolour and ink. These are particularly challenging as water media will not adhere to the gold leaf, so you have to add it afterwards and cut in round your work. However the short cuts I share will be as useful to the acrylic and oil painter, as to the watercolourist.
If you like gold, you might also enjoy this talk and demonstration I did for ShopKeepArty: • How to Gold Leaf and G...
Each week on Sunday at 2pm I share a tip, trick or technique, I wish I'd known about ages ago. If you enjoy this, please like and subscribe and hit the notification bell so you will know about the next one.
If you live in the UK and would like to join me on a workshop, I am holding a one day 'Using metal leaf with watercolour' course on 7 October 2022 in Berkshire. You can find out full details on this and other courses I run at www.lizchaderton.co.uk/workshops and please subscribe to my newsletter while you are there to be kept updated.
If there is a topic you want me to make a film about, please comment or message me.
#lizchaderton #goldleaf #watercolourtips - Zábava
I should call you Sherlock Holmes for taking the mystery out of using gold leaf. Thank you for sharing.
it is highly addictive….just like opium
I've got a tip for you that will allow you to paint over gold leaf. I use egg tempera, and it was a common practice in the middle ages and Renaissance to lay down a gold ground, basically to gild over whole sections and then add paint on top. What you'd do is lay down the gold, then when the size had finished setting, lay down a layer of egg medium - just plain with no pigment mixed in - and allow it to dry. This creates a grippy surface on the gold that allows you to use egg tempera paint on top. This was then often used as a "sgraffitto" - that is, you'd scrape away the paint in patterns according to where you wanted the gold to show through. I'm an iconographer and the name of the saint in the icon has to be inscribed when the painting is finished. This is often done on top of the gilding - real gold, of course - and when I started I used acrylic paint for this, which does grip on top of a gold ground. But I've started using the old technique of laying down a thin layer of egg medium where I want the letters to go, and have found it works well.
That sounds fascinating. I have a friend who is Greek Orthodox and has a stunning icon. Is there somewhere I can see your work?
Thanks Hilary, painting acrylic over the gold is just what I wanted to find out about. Though Liz's watercolor is gorgeous and the gold!? My, my.
Thank you for taking the "fear" out of using gold leaf (real or imitation).
it’s wonderful and highly addictive!
I just recently started experimenting with gold leaf. I'm so glad I found your video. It was extremely helpful. I use pastels and found it easier to cover to whole board. After all layers and final sealer has dried a day, I sketch the subject using pastel pencil then paint clear gesso just where I'm going to use the pastel. Works pretty good and I love how the gold simmers through the pastel.
That sounds great. I guess pastel is more opaque than watercolour, so that would work beautifully
Thank you so much for your knowledge of gold leaf. I am NEW to This. I am experimenting with acrylic paints, and I just purchased imitation gold, silver and rose gold leaf. I'm so excited now that I have watched your video. I am about to retire, so I will try this technique and send you my beginning pictures!!!😊
Wonderful! Be warned it is highly addictive and the leaf get ev-er-y-where!
Thank you for this video! I love to use gold, copper, silver...you get the picture😊 in my work. Your tips and tricks are invaluable! The paint in the size is brilliant! It makes me feel like a dummy for not thinking of It! I've spent hour squinting over my work to put the sizing in the right place only to have to fix it later. Your art is fabulous! My husband and I ooo'd and aaah'd over each piece! And, I'm definitely going to use your idea of the textured background...It looks so awesome with the gold leaf on it. So glad I found this video!
so glad you found it useful. Being able to see size certainly helps 😊 Is there anywhere I can see your work. If you fancy staying in touch I do a fortnightly update and you can sign up at www.lizchaderton.co.uk
Hi Liz, that was great! I love the vinegar tip…..can’t wait to give that a go. Thanks very much!
You are so welcome!
I have been studying goldleaf for a couple of years now. Still have not actually created anything with it. You have inspired me to make the jump! Well done.
Be warned, it is very addictive 😆
Particulary love the goldfinch one & that embossed background...BEAUTIFUL WORK!
Thank you so much!
Thankyou so much Liz - so informative! And your paintings are so beautiful! ❤️
You are so welcome!
Such a great video Liz!! Thank you for the tips! 💖
You're so welcome!
I have just started trying gold leaf for the first time ever and after going a bit mad looking for resources and guidance, this has to be the best most informative video ive seen. So much actual helpful information!! Thank you so much, and you are actually feally entertaining to listen to as well so it felt like a good conversation 🤗
what a lovely comment 😁 Be warned gold leaf is seriously addictive!
Loved this lesson and your birds are just amazing!!
Thanks so much! you can see more of my work on www.lizchaderton.co.uk or on Instagram @lizchaderton
Thank you so much! That was extremely helpful. Your work is beautiful!!
Glad it was helpful and thank you
I wish i had this info when I started. Excellent video Liz, thank you anyway. I use real and imitation gold leaf in card making and oil painting. I keep a pot for all the bits of leaf that break of our are to small to use. I mix up coloured metal leaf too. Then I can make my own variegated metallic back ground either using size, dropping the leaf bits on and then buffing smooth. Alternately double sided tape on card instead of size. This makes a lovely unique substrate with all sorts of possibilities.
ooh nice tips - thank you 😊
I am loving your channel,Liz. Its a real inspiration to get on with some projects during the blustery winter days. Thank you so much!
That’s great to hear. I’ve been tucked away in my shed hoping a tree doesn’t come down on it!@@michalcooperman201
Wow, Miss Liz, your videos are like a little master classes! Thank you!
Glad you like them!
Simply amazing! I adore your art work. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. ✨🎨
My pleasure 😊 And thank you for the complement!
love your art work! very Beautiful! And THANK YOU SO MUCH for your very helpful and really informative (the best Ive seen) instruction video!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for this! I’ll be sure to use some of your techniques
Hope you enjoy it!
Your paintings are beautiful. Thanks for simplifying this process for me
Glad you like them!
such great timing, i just got myself some materials to try it out myself so this guid was much appreciated
Glad I could help!
Liz, WOW! Thanks so much! Terrific information!!! I’m a new-be to gold leaf!
You are so welcome! I think it is so effective
Very helpful tutorial thank you, it has given me inspiration for my decoupage work
That’s great to hear 😊
Thank you for gold leafing experiments, knowledge. Your work is very beautiful
So nice of you
This is really very informative. thank you so much.
I’ve always wondered how to do imitation gold leaf. Thank you for a very informative video.
Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely well done. A good lesson. Well taught
Glad you liked it! And thanks for watching
Lovely! thank you so much for all the tips!
My pleasure. Glad you like them!
Thank you so much for such a wonderfully beautiful and informative lesson! I once did a workshop for using both real and imitation gold leaf in calligraphy and have made tentative steps in trying it with painting, so this lesson is so useful! I really appreciate your time and effort in explaing this. I have a very large piece of heavily embossed wallpaper which I'd love to use as a gilded background, so am keen to have a go now I've watched you! Thank you again for all your help and encouragement!
You are so welcome! I love adding the embossed background. I’m a menace in wallpaper shops!
Good info thanks. Love your work. I'm looking for inspiration currently and you helped.
Glad to hear it!
Thank you so much for this very informative video! I remember you mentioned somewhere that you bought some very cheap (and rather nasty) Chinese imitation gold leaf. Well, here i was and did exactly the same a couple of years ago. And yes, it does look very cheap and tacky! Now, I'm not sure how this could work out with water colours,as i mostly work in oils and acrylics, but somewhere which has actually worked for me, is to use the cheap stuff (really just for experimental purposes though) and rather than varnishing it with a high gloss finish (it DEFINITELY doesn't need any more gloss 😂), ive varnished it with a satin or even a mixture of half and half matte and satin varnish, which has worked wonders. It basically takes away the worst of that garish cheap looking gloss, and brings it back to something whish looks a lot more like the better quality imitation leaf. Of course I wouldn't advise this technique for large surfaces,but if you are going to use it as a background for acrylic or oil painting, or just to add smaller metalic accents afterwards, I think it can still be really useful for practicing or "lesser value" artwork. 😊
That is an excellent idea! I’ll give it a go
Wonderful information, thank you Liz! Like many others I am interested in the vinegar distressing. Love that "antique" look. I will play around on a separate canvas since it seems it's just a matter of experimenting. If you do a video on it I am interested!
There isn’t a formula, so experiment is the way to go…..
That was great. I am rough and ready like you!!!! Thank you.
my pleasure
Thank you Liz!
Any time!
Muy buena la lección. Gracias por sus aportes.
You are welcome!
So helpful!
So glad!
Thank you! You answered my query (without knowing it) that one can add gold leaf over an oil painting. Just need small areas done. Very helpful, thank you so much - all the way from South Africa!
And your work is beautiful.
Glad that helped without me knowing it!😂
Gorgeous!!
Thank you!!
loved the video, it was very helpful. when I was brushing off the excess and it was flying just a bit, I got out my hand vaccuum cleaner and it worked brilliantly to catch the bits and pieces. I'm afraid my last step, the spray on sealer left it cloudy and dull. I am beginning again and will test some other sealers. thank you again
I’m so sorry to hear the sealer didn’t work. A lint roller is another way of cleaning up too
I love this! If you need an idea for another video, I'd love to see the different ways to age/patina goldleaf and how to. I'll be trying the vinegar one, but I don't know how, so I guess, I'll experiment!
There isn’t a formula for the vinegar (I sometime dissolve salt in it too) so it is always an experiment. Thank you for the film suggestion!
@@LizChadertonArt Time to experiment!
Soooo beautiful and helpful! Thank you so much for this video! Would love to see how you do this amazing background with the ornaments?!
it is collage with embossed paper
Muchas gracias por las ideas...
De nada!
This was absolutely awesome and informative, thank you very much. Although I do acrylic you taught me so much that I cant wait to get hold of that gold leave.😅😂😂
Glad it was helpful! if you paint with acrylic check out Nancy Reyner. she’s written a great book ‘Acrylic Illuminations’
Kudos and thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Big thank you for great lesson :)
my pleasure!
Very informative video. Would love to try gold leaf on my paintings
be warned…it’s quite addictive!
New Subscriber here, Liz! Thankyou. - I’d never have thought to add a colour to the size - you’re so clever! I’ve only used the imitation, and yes, it. Is fun. You don’t seem to plan the direction you put down the leaf. I also like to distress my leaf, and love scratching into it. Thankyou.
Welcome! is there anywhere I can see your work?
@@LizChadertonArt - Thanks Liz. - You’re so delightful. And I just love your paintings. No, sorry, I’m a newbie. I studied art in the 8Os, and dabbled in many media for years, then took it up seriously about 10 years ago, sold a big painting, kept dabbling, but was frustrated for many, many years because I was working, and all I wanted to do was throw myself into my artwork….. I’ve just retired. I don’t have anything on social media, either. I figured once I get into the swing of things and start producing, then I’ll upload. Til then, I’ve been trying to work out what artwork I’d like to concentrate on, for my Etsy shop, which isn’t live yet. I don’t seem to be able to get away from flowers… I paint realistically and have been trying to move away to a looser, more whimsical style… I’ve also been dabbling with digital art as well. Sorry, long answer…
Great answer! I love knowing about other peoples art journey! I hope the next stage goes well.@@reefprayerresin
@@LizChadertonArt - ❤
thank you the best
You're welcome!
WOW! Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to try the vinegar trick. Did you dab it on with a brush, or maybe spray it on? Thx! 👍🙏🏻🖌
I’ve done both. Generally a spray looks more random.
Stunning work, subscribed :)
Thanks for the sub!
Thanks for the detailed explanation for using the leaf. I'm curious about how you added the beautiful texture to the background of the second painting.
it’s wallpaper I collaged in place 😀 this is similar czcams.com/video/Pco-mU5c61E/video.html
I am in love with the embossed and gilded background! Your tutorial is perfect and I am very thankful for you sharing. I am going to try my hand at it this weekend. Hope to replicate the embossing with a stencil and moulding paste. Might you have any suggestions for me?
I have done texture with modelling paste and a stencil. it was tricky to get precise edges and shapes. luckily I’m not a precise person. there’s quite a lot of drying time involved too. I have also put on paste with a palette knife and then guided for a more abstract background, which worked well.
@@LizChadertonArt thank you. Here I go at it!!
Beautiful! You inspired me to use metal leaf on the background of one of my bird paintings. That brings up the question, how do you sign your work over the gold leaf? Thank you for all of your helpful watercolor tips.
It’s really hard to sign on top of the gold leaf. I tend to sign on tge image or reverse.
On that last photo, how did you get that raised embossed surface? Your art is stunning by the way
Glad you like it. I used a textured paper which I cut to shape and stuck down and then applied gold leaf. It a bit fiddly but looks lovely!
Hi watching again😊 I have a question. Did you use textured wallpaper on your finch like you did on your dodo bird? I've been looking for a stencil that looks like that beautiful texture pattern on your finch. I can't find one. Any suggestions on where I can find one I would be most appreciative. I can't stop thinking about your gold leaf birds and animals. I really want to give it a go. Thanks so much. Scrollwork is another of my passions😁
Yes I did. it is wall paper. I think you could do small scrolls with modelling paste and a stencil, but all over like this would be hard.
Great informative video . Thank you so much .
I have a question - would you use the same adhesive to gold leaf over a layer of oil paint on canvas ? I already put a colour of oil colour down and I am apprehensive . Even when it’s dry ! Appreciate your video thank you
I am not an oil painter, but you can paint oil over acrylic and not acrylic over oil, that I do know. So my gut reaction is no. I know you can paint oil over gold leaf, so I personally would gold leaf first. if you are in the UK, I would contact Wrights of Lymm and ask their guidance for the best gold size. Oil takes months to fully dry so go careful
Wonderful work!!
I’m wondering what type of varnish your using? I have Amsterdam acrylic varnish and it makes my black kind of gray. And, that’s no fun.
Again love you work!!
Grey is no good! I used a Golden gloss with uv. I have used Brush on gloss acrylic, Villarejo.
I wanted to edit but no go - sorry, but thanks for the lesson below on Shop Keep arty! Loved the badger. I also saw the horse you did with the folks in the States and it was wow! Did you use modge podge or an acrylic gel medium for it? I like the gel because it keeps the paper flat it doesn't warp like the modge podge. Here in SA it's called Qualigel - "a transparent gel medium for creating artistic textured effects on surfaces". I wonder if it would work to make the grounds with the gesso. (Still to do project).
Which project do you mean? and I will try and remember what I used....
Excellent video Liz! New information and inspiration goes a very long ways! Definitely inspired for a new painting! Thank you!
So glad! it is wonderful when a new painting starts flying around your head
Awesome! This is full of tons of information I find very useful. I learned *tons* watching this. I've experimented a bit with imitation gold leaf and found that applying watercolor ground over it will allow application (though possibly limited) of watercolor over the foil. Have you tried this and if so what kind of results did you have? Thanks for all you do!
Glad it was helpful! yes I have tried transparent ground over imitation gold and I found it horrible. I lost all the gorgeous shine and it turned to a nasty yellow ochre colour. If the subject is very defined, I have just put the white ground where it is, then painted it. this worked, but doesn’t allow for soft edges. it’s a lot easier with acrylics or oils!
@@LizChadertonArt I luckily haven't had a color shift in my foil, but I did notice the loss of shine. I thought I was doing something wrong (still experimenting/learning). Thanks again for the additional tips. I'll keep them in mind on my next foiled project!
Liz this brings back memories! As a pewter artist for 18 years (who never thought she could draw or paint - that only came about 2 years ago) I used gold copper and silver sizing on my pewter for extra pizzaz. Glitter was also my favorite (& very popular). I used to adhere the glitter with the sizing which even sticks to pewter - FYI 😉. That stuff goes everywhere if a puff of wind. I still think I have some gold & copper in my stash...mmm. I like the collage. Did you use a acrylic gel or modge podge? I like the Qualigel ( Here in SA) because the paper doesn't warp. PS thank you for the extra lesson on Shop keep arty. I saw the last one - loved it! (The badger)
yes, it goes EV-ER-Y-WHERE! hope you sr
till have some and have fun!
New sub here. I’m here present and ready to learn. Teach on my friend 😊
Thanks and welcome
Thanks so much for this video! Can you tell me please what brush you used to remove the gold from areas that had no sizing?
it was just a soft flat brush. one I don’t mind possibly damaging. no brand, as such. any soft brush will work.
@@LizChadertonArt Thanks!
Thank you, I’m off to order some artificial gold leaf 🥰
Have fun!
@@LizChadertonArt thank you ☺️ how do I know if it is a good quality artificial gold leaf? Do you have a link?
Are you in the uk? try Wrights of Lymm@@34littleb
Amazing info and stunning work, thank you so much. Can you let me know where you get your supplies, it would be good to get a decent gold leaf immigration. Also would love to know best way to etch patterns into gold, any tips?
if you are in the UK try Wrights of Lymm
@@LizChadertonArt Thankyou…I really appreciate that. I meant imitation….ha😅in my last message, so glad you understood what I meant.
@@jaynitremaine9428 😆
Love this video. I was wondering about the varnish you use? Is it a spray or liquid varnish from “golden”? And how many layers of varnish do you apply to seal the gold leaf / painting? Your videos are amazing! I love how much detail you do in all your work!
If I am varnishing over watercolour at the same time as leaf I use a spray. if only gold leaf you can brush or spray. I use gloss so not to dull the shine. The Golden one I sometimes use is Gloss Archival Varnish mineral spirit acrylic aerosol with UVLS. Always use outside! I’ve also use Vallerejobrush on acrylic varnish. You can use traditional shellac…. so many options!
@@LizChadertonArt Does the spray alter the look of the watercolour?
Gee...thank you!!
You're welcome!
Did you use modeling paste for the textured background?
No, I collaged textured paper and then applied gold leaf. If you check out the dodo film on this channel it show you how I did it.
Can I paint over shellac varnish over metal leaf then acrylic paint over?
I’m sorry, but I don’t use acrylics at all, so I don’t know the answer. Shellac is the traditional varnish, but I think I would use an acrylic varnish if I were using acrylic paint. Nancy Reyner is the artist to look at and she’s written a lovely book called Acrylic Illuminations which would give you the answer. czcams.com/users/nancyreynervideos
❤
thank you!
How do you paint such detail on bird over wallpaper
the bird is painted on a panel and then I cut out the shape and collage tge paper around it before gold leafing. you are right, it would be hard to paint on the texture.
Are you painting the watercolors on canvas before the gold leaf? Or is it acrylics ? I have you book for watercolor on canvas!
This is ink and watercolour before the gold leaf
how do you use vinegar to distress the gold, do you just wipe it on?
sometimes I sparky it on, sometime brush and sometimes drops. I have mixed it with salt too, which makes it more corrosive. It is not an exact science!
Would it be possible to apply the gold leaf all over first then go over it with clear Gesso when it is done and dry and then paint the water colour on top?
No, regretfully that won’t work. I tried transparent watercolour ground over gold leaf and it dulled and discoloured the leaf.
@@LizChadertonArt Too bad obviously you've tried it all. Thanks so much for the video = so helpful
@@Frankhh007 yup! I’ve tried it so you don’t have to 😂 it was a mess!
Beautiful! 😍😍
When distressing with vinegar, is it diluted? Do you leave it on, or apply & then wipe off?
I use household vinegar in a spray and leave it on. if you put a drop on, it can eat through the leaf to reveal the colour below. it depends how distressed you want it.
@@LizChadertonArt , thank you!
I hope you see this, how did you do the texture pattern in the last painting?
I try to answer all comments! it is collaged paper, which I then applied god leaf to
czcams.com/video/3-gCCReYoLE/video.html This film shows more too
I’m a little partial to some gold leaf too Liz. Thanks for the tutorial. Have you ever tried real leaf? (-: Marion 🦉
No. I have some, but I am waiting for the perfect project that I am going to charge lots for!!! It is 30 times the price of imitation... The process would be the same, just a lot more careful and save every piece.
What brand of glue size do you use?
Polyvine
do they have gold dust? i want to paint over tiny flower as miniature xD
if you want pure gold for miniatures, then she’ll gold is fabulous. you can make it from real gold leaf. If you want imitation gold, look at Aqua Bronze from Schmincke. it’s a powder with binder and it is really lovely
Is this to be used with acrylic paint only or can I use it with oil paint?
This is watercolour and ink, so not acrylic. You could use the size/leaf as a background for oils, but not over the top, as acrylic won’t go over oil, but oil goes over acrylic
Holy moly, you need a heap of patience! 🤪
on the grebes, yes. but on the goldfinch, no. it’s very satisfying!
Can you varnish the painting like a normal oil painting?
I do not paint with oils, so I cannot give you technical advice. I would contact a decent supplier like Wrights of Lymm and ask the specific question