Gold leaf - how do u use it?

Question

Just curious - is the material expensive? can you get it anywhere? how do you stick it in a certain surface area?

Answer 1

I was a gilder for a year. I did "water gilding."

The gold comes in books and is over a dollar for a three inch by three inch sheet. The sheet is so thin and light, you cannot feel it in your palm.

A gilder's tip is a wide brush-like tool used for picking up the gold and applying it to the surface. Sometimes you need to rub the brush accross your face or neck and get some oil off your skin to make the brush tacky enough to pick up the gold.

The surface to which the gold is applied can be anything hard and stable, like treated wood, or a painting. The surface needs to be treated with a liquid that can be brushed on just before the gold is put down. The liquid is about three cups water a splas of rubbing alcohol and a few bug drops of rabbit skin glue. Brush this onto the surface about the size of the area you want gold applied.

After the gold is applied. Let it fully dry. Then you can rub it a bit with steel wool for an antique look. You can also burnish it for a polished look. Lastly, spray it with clear acrylic to protect the surface.

Thes materials are at most mail order art supplies like Utrecht and Dick Blick.

Answer 2

I would suggest searching www.google.com for answers

Answer 3

try this site:
http://www.ehow.com/buy_7759_gold-leaf.html