Being creative is one of the best ways to relax. Because you're concentrating at the task at hand, you forget about your stresses and at the end you're rewarded with the sense of achievement of having made something yourself. An easy way to start is to learn how to gold leaf. It can be done with very little fuss but will give almost anything a completely new look.
Gilding has been done for centuries and adds instant luxury to everyday objects. The traditional material used for this is sheets of real gold so thin that they resemble foil. Naturally this is quite costly, so you may want to try faux gold leaf instead. It normally consists of copper with some zinc added to it and looks just like the true product.
Aside from the foil itself, you also need special gilder's base coat, top coat, glaze and adhesive. You should also have some sealer if you want to work with an object such as wood, which has a porous surface. Sandpaper, soft brushes, painter's tape, soft and clean cloth and a flat, smooth surface such as a tile are essential as well. You'll find that cotton balls and a bit of petroleum jelly come in handy too.
First smooth the surface you're planning on gilding and wipe away all dust. Then apply tape to the parts you don't want to cover. Apply a coat of sealer to porous surfaces such as wood.
Next, apply the base coat. When it's dry, apply the sizer. This is the special adhesive to which the gold leaf will stick.
The next step is to apply the foil itself. It's easiest to cut it into smaller pieces and let these overlap as you apply them. Remove the backing and place the pieces on the flat surface. Lightly touch a cotton ball to the petroleum jelly and then use this to pick up each piece, which will stick to the cotton ball. Be sure to cover the entire surface and use small pieces to fill in any gaps.
A soft brush will help you apply the gold leaf while the cheesecloth is handy for ensuring a smooth finish, especially where the pieces overlap. Once you've covered the surface, seal it with a top coat and then, if you want, add glaze. Once it's dry, simply remove the painter's tape and your masterpiece is ready.
Gilding has been done for centuries and adds instant luxury to everyday objects. The traditional material used for this is sheets of real gold so thin that they resemble foil. Naturally this is quite costly, so you may want to try faux gold leaf instead. It normally consists of copper with some zinc added to it and looks just like the true product.
Aside from the foil itself, you also need special gilder's base coat, top coat, glaze and adhesive. You should also have some sealer if you want to work with an object such as wood, which has a porous surface. Sandpaper, soft brushes, painter's tape, soft and clean cloth and a flat, smooth surface such as a tile are essential as well. You'll find that cotton balls and a bit of petroleum jelly come in handy too.
First smooth the surface you're planning on gilding and wipe away all dust. Then apply tape to the parts you don't want to cover. Apply a coat of sealer to porous surfaces such as wood.
Next, apply the base coat. When it's dry, apply the sizer. This is the special adhesive to which the gold leaf will stick.
The next step is to apply the foil itself. It's easiest to cut it into smaller pieces and let these overlap as you apply them. Remove the backing and place the pieces on the flat surface. Lightly touch a cotton ball to the petroleum jelly and then use this to pick up each piece, which will stick to the cotton ball. Be sure to cover the entire surface and use small pieces to fill in any gaps.
A soft brush will help you apply the gold leaf while the cheesecloth is handy for ensuring a smooth finish, especially where the pieces overlap. Once you've covered the surface, seal it with a top coat and then, if you want, add glaze. Once it's dry, simply remove the painter's tape and your masterpiece is ready.
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How to gold leaf is a review page that contains all the necessary painting kits you need. To get access to gold leaf supplies right now, visit the website. Your one-stop shop for arts and crafts is only a click away!
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