GILDED PICTURE FRAMES

Gilding has been a popular method of decorating picture frames, furniture, and other special objects for centuries. This article explores the different methods employed to create a gilded (also called "gilt") picture frame today.

SUMMARY WATER GILDING OIL GILDING DIY GILDING Complex method Numerous steps in the process Various coatings are usually made by hand Real gold leaf is generally used Simpler method good for beginners Fewer steps required in the process Pre-made coating may be purchased Metal alloys may be used instead of real gold Many simplified tools for home gilding All products can be purchased ready to use, and special brushes are not required Metal alloys are recommended instead of real gold

THE GILDED FRAME

Gilding is the term for the process of applying gold or silver leaf (or an imitation made from metal alloys) to any surface. Wood picture frames have been gilded since the 12th century. There are many different methods for gilding picture frames, though water and oil gilding are among the most popular. Many picture framers or artists take great pride in continuing the traditional gilding methods, some of which are quite complex. Gilded picture frames are not difficult to find, and range in price depending on what kind of metal was used. But aside from purchasing gilded frames, there are many products on the market today which make creating your own gold or silver leaf frames quite simple and inexpensive. Let's take a look at some of the different methods for gilding picture frames.

WATER GILDING

Water gilding is considered the most complex method of gilding frames or other objects. It is adapted from the method used by the ancient Egyptians, and the style has not changed much since the Renaissance. It is called Water Gilding because water is mixed with animal glue and clay powder during the various stages of the process, to create the glazes and coats required to prep the frame for the application of the gold leaf. Gilding Size: mixture of water and animal skin glue, and helps to seal the wood. Gesso: mixture of water, animal skin glue, and calcium carbonate. Bole: mixure of water, glue, and a fine clay powder that colors the mixture red, yellow, brown, black, or pink. The color chosen for the frame will affect the warmth of the final product, and the color that shows though if any distressing is done after the gold leaf is laid. Preparation Layers for Water Gilding: Gilding Size (2 layers) Gesso (8-10 layers), then sanded Bole (6-8 layers), then sanded Distilled Water (1 layer when applying leaf) Once the first three coatings have been applied, the gold leaf can be added. It is cut into appropriate-sized squares and picked up with a special brush called a Gilder's Tip. Just before the gold lead is laid on the surface of the frame, the fourth coating - water - is brushed on the surface. The gold leaf will be draw down onto the wet surface, practically jumping off the tip. It can be gently smoothed out before moving onto the next section. The entire frame is covered in this way, with each piece of gold foil overlapping the last just slightly. Afterwards, a soft, dry brush called a Gilder's Mop is used to "skew" the gilding, which removes little flakes of gold leaf. These flakes can be used to cover any chips that are visible after skewing, in the same method as the first application, but using a small brush. Another coat or two of gold leaf may need to be applied to fully cover the frame. Then the entire surface can be burnished using a burnisher. Traditional burnishers were made from a dog's tooth. This shape is still available in the new stone material, along with many other shapes. Burnishing hides the creased created by overlapping, and polishes the frame. Burnishing is not require, and may be skipped if a textured, "wrinkled" look is desired. The gilding may also be distressed, which removes some of the gold and makes the bole visible underneath. To see the Water Gilding process in action, check out this YouTube video.

A book of gold foil The gilding process A gilded frame

OIL GILDING

Oil gilding is another gilding method that can be used to gild almost any surface that can be painted. It is considered simpler to master than other methods, and is also idea for gilding metal objects and frames, or anything that will be displayed outside. This is due to the oil-based coatings, which are not water-soluble like water-based coatings, and can therefore better stand up against the elements. There are fewer steps involved in oil gilding. Once the surface has been sanded and smoothed as necessary, a primer may be applied if desired. Then, a prepared oil-based gilder's size is applied to the entire surface and allowed to dry until just tacky. The gold leaf - or any less costly, metal alloy leaf - can then be applied, using a gilder's tip as above. The leaf is laid across the entire surface, a dry Gilder's mop is used to remove unadhered pieces, and any touch ups can be applied. The surface may be burnished for a smooth, glossy shine. And that's it! A slightly different oil gilding method than described here can be viewed in this YouTube video.

Oil-based gilding size

DO-IT-YOURSELF SIMPLE HOME GILDING

There are many ways to even further simplify the gilding process to make it an easy, DIY project at home. Until you've become more proficient, you probably want to purchase imitation gold leaf, which is much less expensive, and often thicker than real gold leaf, making it easier to apply without folding or tearing. Gilder's size and bole can be purchased pre-mixed and ready to apply. Traditionally, these coatings are made just before use, warmed on the stove and kept warm while applying. Prepared coatings can be applied straight out of the jar. A simple mixture of vinegar and water can be brushed over the raw wood frame before the size is applied. This will make the surface more ready to accept the coatings and result in a smoother application. You'll still need to sand the bole, if you are choosing to use it. Gold leaf shows off every single imperfection, so unless you want visible texture, a smooth surface is essential. As mentioned above, the unadhered pieces of leaf that are brushed away after the full application can be reused to cover any chipped sections that didn't cover the first time. You can use a multi-purpose, clear shellac varnish to seal the frame after application, to keep it bright and intact for years!

Gilding DIY

GOLD AND SILVER PICTURE FRAMES

At KeenART Media, we offer many picture frame styles gilded with imitation gold and silver leaf for a beautiful, authentic appearance at a fraction of the cost. Our favorite Gold Custom Picture Frames: Gold Luminoso Precious Metals Pure Gold Ridged Gold Gold Leaf Floater Frame Beautiful Silver Custom Picture Frames: Silver Scoop Silver Luminoso Antique Grey Silver Leaf Slant Silver SOHO Floater Frame

If you have questions about any of our services or products, don't hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to assist with answers, advice, or suggestions.

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