D. Kim Lindaberry on wed 19 mar 97
Hi Lisa,
I have done a little leafing. Not much but some. If you are indeed using
real gold leaf I would suggest that get your hands on some composition
leaf first to practice with. Composition leaf is much less expensive
than real gold leaf. Any leaf material takes practice to handle. The
problem with composition leaf is that it will eventually tarnish. This
can be a nice effect but just realize it will happen to composition leaf
if it isn't sealed with a clear coating. Shellac is a sealer that might
be used. Another coating I prefer is a clear epoxy finish. You might
also use a clear laquer. Leaf is normally glued in place with "gold
size". I get my leaf and size from "Dick Blick", an artist supply store.
I know that they have a catalog and stores around the country. Sorry but
I don't have their catalog sales number on hand at the moment. Glaze
fire the work and then brush the size on the areas to be leafed. You may
need to use a mask to keep the size to only the correct areas. There are
two kinds of brushes used in leafing. One is a broad fan type of brush
which is used to pickup the leaf. The other is a big round soft brush,
something like a makeup blush brush. This brush is used to gently press
the leaf in place without tearing it. Personally I don't use the first
brush. I've gotten used to actually picking up the leaf with my fingers.
But then I don't use the real gold leaf and don't worry about wasting
the composition leaf. You might check around your area to see if there
is a sign painter that is willing to talk with you. Real gold leaf is
used by sign painters on glass windows all the time (or so I've been
told) A sign painter might have some good tips. I hope this is of some
help. Good luck to you.
Kim
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D. Kim Lindaberry
Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, Kansas USA
To visit my website go to, http://www.johnco.cc.ks.us/~klinda
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