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In this workshop we will be trying our hand at making an illuminated letter (Gold Leaf), on some worthy watercolor paper . Approx 5×7 inches – 8×10 framed.
Not sure of how much we can accomplish within our 2 hour envelope so we’ll be putting the gold leaf glue on first, letting it dry for 40min before we attempt the gold leaf.
In the meantime I dont think it will hurt if we put a little color down. I have picked out a letter design that appears doable for beginners.
Our first step will be to trace over the lines in a charcol pencil and or ink pen. I’m thinking that a finer line around the exterior leafs would be better. The charcol pencil seems to be a bit fat and it bleeds into the green color.
After the lines are defined we’ll add the transparent glue in the areas selected to recieve the gold leaf.
On hand, we’ll have some matt board pre-cut with beveled edges suitable to frame your illuminated letter if so desired.
Here’s an example of one I colored in with pastel pencils, minus the gold leaf of course, which will be where the yellow is now.
My guess is that there won’t be time to fully color the letter in the time we have, as this took me a solid hour to trace and color, mistakes and corrections included.
The gold leaf glue isn’t brushed down like paint, there’s a special technique involved that takes some time. So including the half hour to put the glue down and the half hour to put the gold leaf on, were pushing the 2 hour time frame.
I’ll have some colored pencils around. However, if you are going to finish the coloring at home as I suspect, you might want to bring your own coloring supplies/pencils/markers/pens, so you have what you need to finish it when you get home.
Notice all the smudges. We’ll have to be careful and clean it up before we mount the matt board and frame around it.
Date: June 11th, 2024 –
