GWiens2001 wrote:You mention the gold leaf stripe on the door getting some turning to liven it up. How is that done without damaging the gold leaf?
Gordon
When the size, which is a varnish based adhesive, is applied you have to wait until it dries to the correct state which allows the gold to stick but not sink into the size which would dull it. There is fast and slow drying size, each giving a certain window of opportunity of working time. In this case I am using a fast size which is normally ready to leaf in about an hour with a similar "open" time. The gold needs to be applied, brushed onto the size, burnished (lightly rubbed with cotton), within this window. If using a mask it also needs to be removed. Then it can be turned.
The turning is actually manipulating the size underneath the gold before the size sets up to much. Normally a dowel padded with cotton or foam is wrapped with velvet and this is used to spin an impression which makes the gold reflect light differently than a smooth surface. If the size is to soft, to much pressure is used, or if the material is to abrasive, you will tear up the gold or dull it into the size. If the size has dried to much the spin will not create the desired effect. It is one of those things you learn only by practice. I am by no means an expert (actually more of a beginner) and have learned by the school of hard knocks, but I do manage to get it to turn out pretty darn good.
I think I am going to try the slow size next time. It normally takes 24 hours to be ready but allows a very long open time. That would allow a more relaxed working environment but takes a whole lot of patients before you can start. I'm lacking in that department. lol
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 7:05 pm