One caveat for all the viewers interested in working with composition leaf or genuine silver leaf: If you're not painting or glazing over your applied leaf, don't ever touch the leaf with your bare fingers, as the oils from your skin will absolutely tarnish the leaf. You won't notice the tarnish until after you've sealed it with a clear coat, it develops over time; but there's no kind of remorse quite like discovering that mistake on a completed surface that you put hours of effort and artisanship into....(don't ask how I know this...) I always wear latex or vinyl disposable gloves when working with Dutch metal/composition leaf or genuine silver leaf). With genuine gold leaf or aluminum leaf it's not a problem, because neither can tarnish. Hope this helps, happy creating to all :)))
@@pinkibagchi7123 absolutely you can, just know that if you use composition leaf, you'll need to seal it with a solvent-based clear coat (gloss preferred) like a quality varnish.
I know nothing about art and I don't draw either, but I watched a gold leaf making video and I was curious about it's uses. This is a very specific and thorough tutorial, I'm only half way through but I'm really enjoying watching it! And your art is amazing! ❤
Step by step teaching technique is done beautifully! Thanks for being a great teacher! I paint furniture, but you're getting me interested in art. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you for this really fascinating and informative video. It's really helpful and inspirational. I also love your artworks displayed in the background. They're very beautiful.
this is an excellent video! Thanks for sharing. I have applied copper leaves onto a table that I wanted to renovate and it turned out very nice but I made a few mistakes here and there. I did use real copper leaves so didn't need to apply the sealant. I will try your techniques for my next project !
Hi Nancy! Thank you so much for this video, I have learned so much from it and you are a wonderful teacher. I also really appreciate your responses to questions in the comments section. I have scrolled through almost everything, learning as I go, so I don't make you repeat yourself again and again. I still have a few questions, however. I am working with gold leaf on an oil painting and was wondering if you've had any experience with the leaf acting up if the paint isn't 100% dry underneath (i'm on a time crunch) or the issue of oil paint on stretched canvas being too flexible for the gold leaf over time, causing it to crack or tear. Also, I am working on large stretched canvases, but would prefer the small spots of gold leaf to not show the canvas texture underneath. Is it possible to put a layer of molding paste on top of oils and then leaf on top of that? I have heard that mixing modeling paste with gesso would allow me to apply it to a flexible surface like stretched canvas, but I don't know if this is true, or if I'm able to apply it on top of oil paints. Thank you so much for being a wonderful source of information. I, and everyone else who has seen your videos or bought your book, am very grateful.
Hi Nancy, I am taking your course on Skillshare, for some reason I was unable to make a comment, so found you here. My question is; do you use an electric sander in between gesso layers, and if so, which sander would you recommend?
Hi Georgina, I'm glad to answer your question here. Sorry you couldn't find a way to make a comment on Skillshare. There is a place called "Discussions" on that site, and if you write to me there, I can answer you there too. To give you the best answer it would be great if you emailed me at nancy@nancyreyner.com and let me know which course you are taking and what you want to accomplish with sanding. I'm assuming you are taking the gold leaf course? I do use an electric sander to sand off areas of paint that are too heavy over the leaf, or painted areas I don't want remaining. However I rarely sand in between gesso layers. If I want a smooth surface under leaf, I first apply sealer, then gesso, then the red (or other color) paint. Then at this point, right before I'm ready to apply the adhesive for the leaf, I usually pour an acrylic pouring medium over the entire surface to get it smooth. Another way to do this is to sand just once, using an electric sander, after applying all the gesso layers and some paint as well. That way there is enough paint layers to sand. That's all I can think of to tell you until I get more info from you. Let me know and I'll be glad to add more to my answer. Thanks for taking my course! Nancy
Hi Nancy. I have watched this a couple of times through and really appreciate all of your information. I have a question about the sealants. I am planning to imitation gold leaf an old taxidermied dear head which i picked up at a yard sale. would you recommend using the golden’s gac200 for a final coat over the golden’s archival varnish GLOSS spray. i am wondering about the hardness of the varnish over the flexible hairs and how that will hold up (like when i go to dust it). Good idea?
I do not have links for the products. You can probably find them easily online. If you have trouble finding a particular product just send me a message.
Best instruction video ever. Thank you for being so thorough. So many examples and great explanations, dos and don'ts, so helpful with a great delivery. Great teacher.
Soooo much information! This was truly one of the most professional videos I've ever seen by an artist explaining one technique. So many gems in there. Thank you!
Hi Kaitlin,To get clean edges with the leaf in a design make sure you do the following:(1) the adhesive should be very tacky when you apply the leaf. If your surface is very absorbent you may need 2 coats of adhesive to make sure the glue is strong enough.(2) let the adhesive dry for at least 20 minutes before applying the leaf. The adhesive should be tacky but not wet.(3) after applying the leaf make sure you burnish as shown in the video (over wax paper so the leaf isn't scratched) very hard so the leaf really sticks(4) you must wait at least 3 days after applying the leaf before removing the excess. This way the adhesive is fully dry. I like to wait a week.(5) when removing excess don't scrub hard, just lightly flick around the edges moving in the direction going away from the edges (moving from the shape outwards rather than the reverse). In the video I say I just brush over the whole surface, and I do, but if you want super clean edges you may want to take time here to brush each shape more delicately.Hope this helps!
By far the best video on how to use gold leaf! I finally understand the whole process. I'll be continuing on to your next video. Your paintings in the background are gorgeous!
This is the BEST tutorial of gold leaf application. I'm not sure why it has so low views compared to others that are as tacky as it can get but so popular. 🙂
Dear Khawar, The seams where the leaf squares join is not possible to eliminate. It is part of the aesthetic, I think. However, you can reduce the amount of seams by using leaf that comes on a roll instead of squares. The rolls are often used for large expanses, such as leafing a wall. If you are planning on painting over the leaf like I do, then the paint, when applied thickly, will hide whatever seams are under the paint. Another idea is to apply the leaf over a textured surface, like I show in the video, and then the seams are not as noticeable. In summary, you cant eliminate them altogether, but can minimize their effect. For me, it creates a very subtle grid pattern that I incorporate into my painting's image.
Ok I know this was 8 yrs ago, but recently I saw a painting using gold leaf and wanted to try do something similar myself, and I am so ecstatic that I found and watched your video first.... What an amazing lesson. Now my mind is exploding with even more ideas.
5/14/2020 USA Grandpa Bill: In my 72 years this is the finest, most professional, most respectful, and most courteous video I have seen. Nancy, I think you are the best.
One of the best instructional videos ever! Not a single word was superfluous; I truly enjoyed following your process! Question: do you have experience "sealing" the foil with a basic epoxy resin? I am foiling ceramic tiles I made and want to seal them as durably as possible because I will be grouting over them. I realize I'm in an experiment, but I'm ready for any kind of happy mistakes; I just wonder if resin reacts to the silver foil in any way? Thank you in advance!
Sounds like an interesting experiment. If the epoxy resin is oil or solvent-based, it shouldn't tarnish or negatively affect the silver foil. Since the epoxy resin goes on fairly thickly, you might want to brush apply it thinly over the leaf first, let it dry, then pour a second layer thickly. For your purposes over the tiles, I wonder if Polyurethan would be better than the epoxy. I don't have any experience with epoxy or polyurethane over silver leaf - so this is just me throwing out ideas to add to your experiment. It would be great if you post back here with your results. Good luck with it!
@@nancyreyner You're totally right about polyurethane being the next (or better?) option. Should that also be oil or solvent based? I'll try epoxy and poly, and post results, thank you again!
@@tanjabrowne4488 The usual concern is using water-based products on imitation gold leaf, because those usually contain ammonia. Ammonia will tarnish the copper in imitation gold leaf, but since you're using silver (Imitation is aluminum) that shouldn't create any problems. This means you can use a wide variety of products to seal. Looking forward to your post of results.
@@nancyreyner Happy to report good results! I used imitation silver foil directly on some (failed) glazed ceramic teeth I had cut and sanded to shape. The foil attached beautifully. After burnishing I went in with fine grit sandpaper over the foil to darken some of the teeth ridges. I then sealed them with UV cure surfboard resin, just one coat, and grouted them. The finish help up perfectly to the grouting process and cleaned up nicely! Because my tiles were "distressed" to begin with, by the time I finished the whole process the silver had lost a lot of refraction, which actually worked for this particular project - the teeth had this sort of moon landing glow to them that was hard to identify with any other kind of medium I could have used. Very excited to explore more with gold and silver foil! Thank you again!
Dear Lorri, I am glad you wrote back to clarify. I misunderstood your first question about doing this technique on metals. I thought you were asking if you could paint on metal the same way you can paint on leaf. But now I see you are asking if you can add leaf onto metal as a surface. The issue is whether the leaf adhesive will adhere to the metal surface you are working on. The best advice I can give is to call the company that makes the adhesive you are using. Ask them if it will adhere to the type of metal surface you have in mind. You may have to use the solvent based adhesives (these are toxic) instead of the water-based adhesive I use in the video. The tech department of the adhesive manufacture can tell you for sure. You also asked about a color underneath the leaf - between the leaf and metal surface. Color under the leaf is nice if the leaf flakes off in places while you are working with the leaf, then the color comes through in subtle places and looks good. If you are using leaf on metal, then you will have the metal surface color coming through, and may like that instead of a color.
I can't believe I watched this 49 min video and it was SOoooo Interresting that it seemed more like 10 min. and you taught us SO much in such a short time ! Thank you ! 😙💖
Fantastic tutorial! You really think of everything and "protect" the beginner/novice from his (or her) own ignorance! I took lots of notes and have been DYING to get started on my paintings!! I'm going to buy your book, Acrylic Illuminations, too!
Just letting you know how much I appreciate your video! I especially like the way you use the wax paper to put the leaf onto a surface. Thanks for your great ideas!
Great tutorial! Was wondering if I first paint with acrylic on canvas and wait until it dries, can I then use the copper/zinc gold leaf on top? Or would it eventually tarnish? Is there a way to apply the copper/zinc gold leaf onto acrylic paintings without it tarnishing? Thanks
This is absolutely one of the BEST training videos I have ever watched. I have viewed many others through the years, but THIS one is the most informative, easy to watch, easy to listen to and comprehend. At first, when I saw the length of it, I thought it might be too long and drone on and on -- like too many others do. However, with yours every minute was worthwhile, and it is not filled with unnecessary blah, blah, blah. I came across your video by accident while researching the gold leafing process. I am so very happy I found it and you. I am now a true devotee off anything else you may produce in the future. I now am moving forward in attempting my own leafing projects with a lot less trepidation, but I will be holding on to this one for reference and technique reminders. I sometimes travel to Santa Fe, I know it well. If you have an actual studio where one can come visit, I would love to be able to do that sometime in the future. Thanks so much for creating such a beautifully produced, informative video. Enjoy your ice cream. You deserve it! Jana Scottsdale, AZ
Jana Thompson Dear Jana, What a lovely and complimentary note you wrote. I am so glad you have found the video useful for your work. Yes, I do have a studio in Santa Fe where I offer private lessons, and custom workshops for small groups. Please visit my website nancyreyner.com for more info on lessons, and other DVDs I have produced - some free like this one, and others are for sale. My latest book Acrylic Illuminations has an extensive section on gold leafing and painting techniques on leaf. Thanks again for taking the time to add your comment. Best, Nancy
If you tickle off the excess leaf with a cotton ball or soft bristle make up brush you will not scratch your leaf. The hard bristle brush is not a good tool for that.
I've watched the whole video and now know how to apply gold leaf to anything. I've used it in calligraphy, in painting, and also cooking. I think I'm out of control, I've started using it on my sisters, my parents and even the family dog.Have you ever seen a golden dog? I've applied it to all the walls of my room and all the furnishings (rhymes with burnishing like what you do to apply the leaf). My family have moved out, everything inside the house is gold. please send help
hi i'm viewing this video from the UK. As a total novice I just want to say how clear and helpful this video was. The format, content and your delivery were great. Have ordered your book and feeling confident and so excited to try this out . Thankyou
Wonderfull ! Algorithm let me discover your Video and I'm happy about that. I'm a beginner in Goldleafing and your Tips are great! Did you ever try to apply Goldleaf on paper? I had a hard time evaluating the time of drying of the 'Glue'. Again,Thanks for the Video!
Yes you can definitely leaf on paper. But the paper is absorbent, which means the adhesive will sink into the paper and dry quickly. To resolve this you can apply a gloss acrylic medium over the paper, let it dry, then apply the adhesive which will then stay tacky longer for easy applications of the leaf. Or you can apply 2 coats of the adhesive over the paper. Both methods will work well.
Thank you for sharing this has become my new interest as I've been Accenting in Gold paint for years. I've looked everywhere for explanation and have found little, I'm so excited to go on this journey with you ❤
hello! is it possible to put a retouching varnish on top of the gold leaf? like the one you use in between oil layers on a painting? And i used the fold leaf the first time but just applying it on acrylic paint. would that last?? and what should i put on top in this case? thank you
It’s my first time experiencing this gold leaf process. Thanks for explaining it so beautifully. I am in isolation with Covid 19 pandemic, enough of the depressing news. It’s a great time to learn new things.🙏🏻👍❤️
An amazing, wonderful demo. I found myself nodding and responding - even chuckling at the ice cream container bits! 😂 Almost like I was in a sign-up tutorial class myself. Well done & thank you for inspiring me with this illuminating medium.
Cheng. Your next question about what to use over the leaf to obtain the varnish effects, is answered in full in my book Acrylic Illuminations. I have several techniques with all application details, fully illustrated, in there.
+Nancy Reyner Thank You, Nancy I really enjoy the book although I'm a oil painter but there are few technique that i can apply in my paintings. Will you possibly be writing a one that's for oil ?
+Cheng Jason Hi Cheng, I will be writing a blog article on how to use oil on gold leaf. However, since you have my book, you can use almost all of the techniques there, just substitute using solvent for diluting oil paint whenever I say to use water to dilute the acrylics. You can also use the techniques in the book in acrylic, then apply oil paint over them.
Oh my, what an incredible teacher you are, Nancy. This has been so helpful for me, and so much fun, as well. Thank you for all your time and knowledge!
This is an AMAZING video. WOW! Thank you so much for publishing this in-depth tutorial that goes above and beyond the norm. Your generosity is extremely appreciated!! Any tips for the glue and sealant we should use for watercolor paintings?
Thanks so much Nancy. A long video, but very thorough for a beginner like me. I have the leaf, just not the guts--until now. Just what I needed to open the door on leafing. I am wondering, since I bought a jar of tricolor leaf bits, just how should I use them to get the best result? Now I want to leaf everything! Perhaps my husband would look good shiny. Great tute. XOXOJane
Thank you SO MUCH for providing such comprehensive and well laid out instructions! You have definitely reduced my fear of the gold leafing process (that wax paper trick alone is an absolute revelation!). I've added your book to my to-buy list, and I look forward to trying out all of the crazy painting techniques that I can possibly manage! Best of luck with your art career, and may the inspiration always be with you.
Watching this in India. My liking for gold leaf got me to your video and loved how professionally and thoroughly you explained things. Im just beginning to paint, and god there's so much to learn 😅. Thank you so much. Fan of your art work too!!
Thank you so much, Nancy for this wonderful video and your method of sharing your knowledge, that I appreciate so much. Love your artwork. I've seen your videos several times already, because even watching you work is an art itself. Gorgeous pictures and colors. I'm going to buy your book too, so I can enjoy seeing your work any time I want to. One day I might give it a try using gold leaves. So beautiful! Thank you so much being so kind and inspiring.
Such a thorough and easy to understand tutorial on the method ,usage, techniques on gold leaf. Yay! I'm thinking about doing tears flowing from a drawing of my eyes, looking at my daughter who passed during covid . I always thought the adhesive had to be thin to adhere. After seeing your dripping method( which looks dimensional), I will practice on something before I attempt it on my drawing. Tks a million❤️
it is the very first time i watched an entire video, you are a very pleasant lady with a very pleasant voice! i can watch you over and over again and still keep a smile on my face. very helpful, THANK YOU!
Hi Nancy I have watched your video through a couple of times. Thank you for taking the time to put that together for everyone. I plan to gold leaf some fake fur very short in length, like what you might find on a deer. I am curious as to the sealing in the end to keep the fake fur from moving around when I dust my object covered with the fake fur (it will be hanging on a wall and will need to periodically dusted). What sealants should I apply (using fake gold) to keep the fabric hairs in place and not fall apart from the dusting that it will need in the future. Thank you in advance for your advice.
Hmmm that's an interesting question. I have two ideas. The first idea is to spray the fur before you leaf it. Use a clear gloss Krylon spray. After a couple of spray coats, see if the hairs stay put. If so, then you can leaf over that using an oil based adhesive instead of the waterbased adhesive. The second idea is that after you leaf over the fur (without spraying it first) you can then apply a couple of spray coats using the Krylon. Apply as many coats as needed to flatten the fur. I suggest using the oil based leaf adhesive for both methods as this will adhere better to the fur. These are just theories as I have never worked on fur before. I recommend experimenting on something you don't care about first before working on your important piece.
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. 😊 Would you finish with the oil based krylon as a final coat, or would the two different coats you mentioned in the video be better advisable for the final coating?
@@karenanddj Yes use the Krylon as a final coat. You do not need the archival varnishes I mention in the video. Archival varnishes are removable for cleaning purposes. Since you will not be removing the varnishes to clean them, like you would a fine art painting on a flat surface, you don't need to spend the extra money for these products. Also, a removable varnish would not be as permanent as the Krylon.
Nancy, you're a godsend. I needed a fast, simple explanation of the process and yours was by far the clearer and most concise. Good thing i found you early in my search. I'll be able to finish my pieces in time. Many many thanks.
Thank you so much Nancy. I was given some gold leaf but have never really used it. This was so informative and I am looking forward to giving it a try.
It works just fine, used for centuries. Just remember that if you want a mirror finish you have to put your gold on a gesso or similar so you can burnish it, so it's under the paint or aside it. If you put it on oil or an oil based size it will be matte, because the surface is covered in ripples, so you won't get the full light out of the precious metal. But it's way easier. Oil must be almost dried, slightly sticky to you finger when you run it on the surface. If it's still too "wet", you can have bad surprises, like your leaf tearing up as the paint dries. Oil-based size is pre-cooked to dry quickly, but it's the same oil as the paint basically.
Yes you can definitely use oil paint under or over leaf. If leafing over oil paint you should use the oil-based adhesive instead of the water-based adhesive.
One caveat for all the viewers interested in working with composition leaf or genuine silver leaf: If you're not painting or glazing over your applied leaf, don't ever touch the leaf with your bare fingers, as the oils from your skin will absolutely tarnish the leaf. You won't notice the tarnish until after you've sealed it with a clear coat, it develops over time; but there's no kind of remorse quite like discovering that mistake on a completed surface that you put hours of effort and artisanship into....(don't ask how I know this...) I always wear latex or vinyl disposable gloves when working with Dutch metal/composition leaf or genuine silver leaf). With genuine gold leaf or aluminum leaf it's not a problem, because neither can tarnish. Hope this helps, happy creating to all :)))
Onley if it's imitation gold leaf, I would assume
Can we apply gold leaf to an oil painting ?
@@marcconley7037 composition leaf = imitation gold leaf; different names for the same product type...
@@pinkibagchi7123 absolutely you can, just know that if you use composition leaf, you'll need to seal it with a solvent-based clear coat (gloss preferred) like a quality varnish.
Thankyou !! ❤️
I know nothing about art and I don't draw either, but I watched a gold leaf making video and I was curious about it's uses. This is a very specific and thorough tutorial, I'm only half way through but I'm really enjoying watching it! And your art is amazing! ❤
Thank you so much for making this video. You answered ALL of my gold leaf questions that other videos didn't answer.
Glad it was helpful!
Step by step teaching technique is done beautifully! Thanks for being a great teacher!
I paint furniture, but you're getting me interested in art. Thank you for the inspiration!
Brilliant! I learned so much. You're a great teacher, Nancy. Thanks!
Thank you for this really fascinating and informative video. It's really helpful and inspirational. I also love your artworks displayed in the background. They're very beautiful.
You're such a good teacher!! I watched the whole video and learnt so much!! Thank you :)
Dear Nancy, your presentation is absolutely perfect
What a lovely thing to say! Thank you very much.
this is an excellent video! Thanks for sharing. I have applied copper leaves onto a table that I wanted to renovate and it turned out very nice but I made a few mistakes here and there. I did use real copper leaves so didn't need to apply the sealant. I will try your techniques for my next project !
Sounds like a great idea, I'd love to see the end results if you'd like to share them one day. Good luck with the project!
Hi Nancy, thank you so much for this demonstration. Your works are beautiful from your heart.
how very interesting and very clearly and concisely explained without any waffle you find in other videos. brilliant thank you
Glad you liked it.
🙏🏼 thank you.. I am so inspired right now.. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
super duper explanations, thank you!
amazing class
Hi Nancy! Thank you so much for this video, I have learned so much from it and you are a wonderful teacher. I also really appreciate your responses to questions in the comments section. I have scrolled through almost everything, learning as I go, so I don't make you repeat yourself again and again. I still have a few questions, however.
I am working with gold leaf on an oil painting and was wondering if you've had any experience with the leaf acting up if the paint isn't 100% dry underneath (i'm on a time crunch) or the issue of oil paint on stretched canvas being too flexible for the gold leaf over time, causing it to crack or tear.
Also, I am working on large stretched canvases, but would prefer the small spots of gold leaf to not show the canvas texture underneath. Is it possible to put a layer of molding paste on top of oils and then leaf on top of that? I have heard that mixing modeling paste with gesso would allow me to apply it to a flexible surface like stretched canvas, but I don't know if this is true, or if I'm able to apply it on top of oil paints.
Thank you so much for being a wonderful source of information. I, and everyone else who has seen your videos or bought your book, am very grateful.
Beautifully explained....Thank you so much
Hi 😊
This is such a great, useful and informative video - I’ve subscribed 👍😊
Thank you 🙏🏽 Nice job and very clear explanation, it will help me a lot !
Great! Glad to help.
great video!
Hi Nancy, I am taking your course on Skillshare, for some reason I was unable to make a comment, so found you here. My question is; do you use an electric sander in between gesso layers, and if so, which sander would you recommend?
Hi Georgina, I'm glad to answer your question here. Sorry you couldn't find a way to make a comment on Skillshare. There is a place called "Discussions" on that site, and if you write to me there, I can answer you there too. To give you the best answer it would be great if you emailed me at nancy@nancyreyner.com and let me know which course you are taking and what you want to accomplish with sanding. I'm assuming you are taking the gold leaf course? I do use an electric sander to sand off areas of paint that are too heavy over the leaf, or painted areas I don't want remaining. However I rarely sand in between gesso layers. If I want a smooth surface under leaf, I first apply sealer, then gesso, then the red (or other color) paint. Then at this point, right before I'm ready to apply the adhesive for the leaf, I usually pour an acrylic pouring medium over the entire surface to get it smooth. Another way to do this is to sand just once, using an electric sander, after applying all the gesso layers and some paint as well. That way there is enough paint layers to sand. That's all I can think of to tell you until I get more info from you. Let me know and I'll be glad to add more to my answer. Thanks for taking my course!
Nancy
Great video Thank you
Hi Nancy. I have watched this a couple of times through and really appreciate all of your information. I have a question about the sealants. I am planning to imitation gold leaf an old taxidermied dear head which i picked up at a yard sale. would you recommend using the golden’s gac200 for a final coat over the golden’s archival varnish GLOSS spray. i am wondering about the hardness of the varnish over the flexible hairs and how that will hold up (like when i go to dust it). Good idea?
also do you have links for all the products you are using I'd like to get them
I do not have links for the products. You can probably find them easily online. If you have trouble finding a particular product just send me a message.
I had to subscribe, soo much wonderful information 👌👍
Patricia
Thanks and welcome
Thank you many blessing
Wow, what a model of clarity and helpfulness. If only more TH-camrs were this professional!
Pourinc auf Vasen
Everyone is an artist. Professional is how you feel. Expressions in the art is the importance. Never worry about skill.
I agree very professional in your teaching methods. Artistic talent is not in doubt. Beautiful work.
Couldn’t agree more!
Absolutely fantastic tutorial and wonderfully detailed. Thank you very much. Will be watching it again and again. ❤
Wonderful!
Truly awesome video Nancy - one of THE BEST tutorials I've ever watched!!! Thank you, thank you!!
Best instruction video ever. Thank you for being so thorough. So many examples and great explanations, dos and don'ts, so helpful with a great delivery. Great teacher.
Ditto to that! This is the finest presentation that I've seen on any art-related subject on the web. Great job, Nancy!
I agree! Very great teachter!
I appreciate your taking the time to add a positive comment. Thank you! Glad you liked it.
@@nancyreyner8417 You are so kind to reply in great detail, about my entry ceiling. Super teacher. Thanks for helping this Georgia girl!
Pamela Ricks You are very welcome!
Soooo much information! This was truly one of the most professional videos I've ever seen by an artist explaining one technique. So many gems in there. Thank you!
This was one of the best teaching videos I've ever seen. You are so detailed and easy to follow.
Hi Kaitlin,To get clean edges with the leaf in a design make sure you do the following:(1) the adhesive should be very tacky when you apply the leaf. If your surface is very absorbent you may need 2 coats of adhesive to make sure the glue is strong enough.(2) let the adhesive dry for at least 20 minutes before applying the leaf. The adhesive should be tacky but not wet.(3) after applying the leaf make sure you burnish as shown in the video (over wax paper so the leaf isn't scratched) very hard so the leaf really sticks(4) you must wait at least 3 days after applying the leaf before removing the excess. This way the adhesive is fully dry. I like to wait a week.(5) when removing excess don't scrub hard, just lightly flick around the edges moving in the direction going away from the edges (moving from the shape outwards rather than the reverse). In the video I say I just brush over the whole surface, and I do, but if you want super clean edges you may want to take time here to brush each shape more delicately.Hope this helps!
watched the whole video, now I know how to apply gold leaf. You go girl !!!
By far the best video on how to use gold leaf! I finally understand the whole process. I'll be continuing on to your next video. Your paintings in the background are gorgeous!
I have been looking for a video like this for years. This is the most thorough of any art vid I have seen. Over the top great. Very generous!
I am very happy that my content is so helpful to you!
Step by step with so many important tips. Thank you! Your art is beautiful.
Wonderful video!! You're a great teacher. Thank you for sharing!
This is the BEST tutorial of gold leaf application. I'm not sure why it has so low views compared to others that are as tacky as it can get but so popular. 🙂
Dear Khawar, The seams where the leaf squares join is not possible to eliminate. It is part of the aesthetic, I think. However, you can reduce the amount of seams by using leaf that comes on a roll instead of squares. The rolls are often used for large expanses, such as leafing a wall. If you are planning on painting over the leaf like I do, then the paint, when applied thickly, will hide whatever seams are under the paint. Another idea is to apply the leaf over a textured surface, like I show in the video, and then the seams are not as noticeable. In summary, you cant eliminate them altogether, but can minimize their effect. For me, it creates a very subtle grid pattern that I incorporate into my painting's image.
Ok I know this was 8 yrs ago, but recently I saw a painting using gold leaf and wanted to try do something similar myself, and I am so ecstatic that I found and watched your video first.... What an amazing lesson. Now my mind is exploding with even more ideas.
So glad this video adds to your inspiration!
5/14/2020 USA Grandpa Bill: In my 72 years this is the finest, most professional, most respectful, and most courteous video I have seen. Nancy, I think you are the best.
Thank you for your kind words!
being an art student is looking up a tutorial less then 24 hours before a deadline lol 😭 thank you so much ma'am you've literally saved my life 🙏🙏
Glad to help!
I really enjoy your style of instruction.Informative without being patronizing.Thank you,ConnieRoberts
One of the best instructional videos ever! Not a single word was superfluous; I truly enjoyed following your process! Question: do you have experience "sealing" the foil with a basic epoxy resin? I am foiling ceramic tiles I made and want to seal them as durably as possible because I will be grouting over them. I realize I'm in an experiment, but I'm ready for any kind of happy mistakes; I just wonder if resin reacts to the silver foil in any way? Thank you in advance!
Sounds like an interesting experiment. If the epoxy resin is oil or solvent-based, it shouldn't tarnish or negatively affect the silver foil. Since the epoxy resin goes on fairly thickly, you might want to brush apply it thinly over the leaf first, let it dry, then pour a second layer thickly. For your purposes over the tiles, I wonder if Polyurethan would be better than the epoxy. I don't have any experience with epoxy or polyurethane over silver leaf - so this is just me throwing out ideas to add to your experiment. It would be great if you post back here with your results. Good luck with it!
@@nancyreyner You're totally right about polyurethane being the next (or better?) option. Should that also be oil or solvent based? I'll try epoxy and poly, and post results, thank you again!
@@tanjabrowne4488 The usual concern is using water-based products on imitation gold leaf, because those usually contain ammonia. Ammonia will tarnish the copper in imitation gold leaf, but since you're using silver (Imitation is aluminum) that shouldn't create any problems. This means you can use a wide variety of products to seal. Looking forward to your post of results.
@@nancyreyner Happy to report good results! I used imitation silver foil directly on some (failed) glazed ceramic teeth I had cut and sanded to shape. The foil attached beautifully. After burnishing I went in with fine grit sandpaper over the foil to darken some of the teeth ridges. I then sealed them with UV cure surfboard resin, just one coat, and grouted them. The finish help up perfectly to the grouting process and cleaned up nicely! Because my tiles were "distressed" to begin with, by the time I finished the whole process the silver had lost a lot of refraction, which actually worked for this particular project - the teeth had this sort of moon landing glow to them that was hard to identify with any other kind of medium I could have used. Very excited to explore more with gold and silver foil! Thank you again!
thank you especially for the environmental tip.. great detailed lesson. Much appreciated
Excellent video. Systematic and Thoughtful process approach as well explanation to viewers. *Like*
Excellent excellent teacher!!!😊
Dear Lorri,
I am glad you wrote back to clarify. I misunderstood your first question about doing this technique on metals. I thought you were asking if you could paint on metal the same way you can paint on leaf. But now I see you are asking if you can add leaf onto metal as a surface. The issue is whether the leaf adhesive will adhere to the metal surface you are working on. The best advice I can give is to call the company that makes the adhesive you are using. Ask them if it will adhere to the type of metal surface you have in mind. You may have to use the solvent based adhesives (these are toxic) instead of the water-based adhesive I use in the video. The tech department of the adhesive manufacture can tell you for sure. You also asked about a color underneath the leaf - between the leaf and metal surface. Color under the leaf is nice if the leaf flakes off in places while you are working with the leaf, then the color comes through in subtle places and looks good. If you are using leaf on metal, then you will have the metal surface color coming through, and may like that instead of a color.
I can't believe I watched this 49 min video and it was SOoooo
Interresting that it seemed more like 10 min. and you taught us SO much in such a short time !
Thank you ! 😙💖
Wow what lovely feedback! I'm so glad you found my video interesting to watch. Thank you!
Fantastic tutorial! You really think of everything and "protect" the beginner/novice from his (or her) own ignorance! I took lots of notes and have been DYING to get started on my paintings!! I'm going to buy your book, Acrylic Illuminations, too!
Excellent tutorial. No faffing around, just clear instructions. So refreshing. Thank you. 👏👏👏🇮🇪
Just letting you know how much I appreciate your video! I especially like the way you use the wax paper to put the leaf onto a surface. Thanks for your great ideas!
Great tutorial! Was wondering if I first paint with acrylic on canvas and wait until it dries, can I then use the copper/zinc gold leaf on top? Or would it eventually tarnish? Is there a way to apply the copper/zinc gold leaf onto acrylic paintings without it tarnishing? Thanks
Very well explained. I have always wanted to learn how to paint and use gold leaf
Glad it was helpful!
This is absolutely one of the BEST training videos I have ever watched. I have viewed many others through the years, but THIS one is the most informative, easy to watch, easy to listen to and comprehend.
At first, when I saw the length of it, I thought it might be too long and drone on and on -- like too many others do. However, with yours every minute was worthwhile, and it is not filled with unnecessary blah, blah, blah.
I came across your video by accident while researching the gold leafing process. I am so very happy I found it and you. I am now a true devotee off anything else you may produce in the future. I now am moving forward in attempting my own leafing projects with a lot less trepidation, but I will be holding on to this one for reference and technique reminders.
I sometimes travel to Santa Fe, I know it well. If you have an actual studio where one can come visit, I would love to be able to do that sometime in the future.
Thanks so much for creating such a beautifully produced, informative video.
Enjoy your ice cream. You deserve it!
Jana
Scottsdale, AZ
Jana Thompson Dear Jana,
What a lovely and complimentary note you wrote. I am so glad you have found the video useful for your work. Yes, I do have a studio in Santa Fe where I offer private lessons, and custom workshops for small groups. Please visit my website nancyreyner.com for more info on lessons, and other DVDs I have produced - some free like this one, and others are for sale. My latest book Acrylic Illuminations has an extensive section on gold leafing and painting techniques on leaf. Thanks again for taking the time to add your comment.
Best,
Nancy
If you tickle off the excess leaf with a cotton ball or soft bristle make up brush you will not scratch your leaf. The hard bristle brush is not a good tool for that.
I've watched the whole video and now know how to apply gold leaf to anything. I've used it in calligraphy, in painting, and also cooking. I think I'm out of control, I've started using it on my sisters, my parents and even the family dog.Have you ever seen a golden dog?
I've applied it to all the walls of my room and all the furnishings (rhymes with burnishing like what you do to apply the leaf). My family have moved out, everything inside the house is gold.
please send help
Yes it can be addicting! Although you've taken it to heights never before reached! Congratulations!
hi i'm viewing this video from the UK. As a total novice I just want to say how clear and helpful this video was. The format, content and your delivery were great. Have ordered your book and feeling confident and so excited to try this out . Thankyou
Glad it was helpful!
Wonderfull ! Algorithm let me discover your Video and I'm happy about that. I'm a beginner in Goldleafing and your Tips are great! Did you ever try to apply Goldleaf on paper? I had a hard time evaluating the time of drying of the 'Glue'. Again,Thanks for the Video!
Yes you can definitely leaf on paper. But the paper is absorbent, which means the adhesive will sink into the paper and dry quickly. To resolve this you can apply a gloss acrylic medium over the paper, let it dry, then apply the adhesive which will then stay tacky longer for easy applications of the leaf. Or you can apply 2 coats of the adhesive over the paper. Both methods will work well.
Very beautiful work, thank you for all the tips, inspirational! Ra
This is the most amazing tutorial I have ever seen! Your art is amazing! Makes me wanna dabble into fine art 😍
Thank you so much 😀.
What was your favourite part of the tutorial, Inkspire Art Studio?
Wonderful, thank you! Incredibly informative.
Wow, I love your precise way of talking!
Thank you for sharing this has become my new interest as I've been Accenting in Gold paint for years. I've looked everywhere for explanation and have found little, I'm so excited to go on this journey with you ❤
ARE YOU ABLE TO USE OIL PAINT ONTOP OF GOLD LEAF AFTER IT IS DRY AND SEALED?
You, are a great teacher. Thorough, to the point, filled with the details necessary. Thank you!
Excellent so well explained I'm going to try it.
hello! is it possible to put a retouching varnish on top of the gold leaf? like the one you use in between oil layers on a painting?
And i used the fold leaf the first time but just applying it on acrylic paint. would that last?? and what should i put on top in this case?
thank you
Best video I have ever seen on gold leafing. I think saved me a lot of headaches!!
Thank you so much for this demonstration! I learned a lot more than other tutorials I've watched about gold leaf. You make such gorgeous paintings!
Best video, I have ever seen! Thank you ...
It’s my first time experiencing this gold leaf process. Thanks for explaining it so beautifully. I am in isolation with Covid 19 pandemic, enough of the depressing news. It’s a great time to learn new things.🙏🏻👍❤️
Glad it was helpful!
Yes you can do that. Apply gesso or a paste to the canvas, then sand it so it’s smooth.
An amazing, wonderful demo. I found myself nodding and responding - even chuckling at the ice cream container bits! 😂 Almost like I was in a sign-up tutorial class myself. Well done & thank you for inspiring me with this illuminating medium.
Cheng. Your next question about what to use over the leaf to obtain the varnish effects, is answered in full in my book Acrylic Illuminations. I have several techniques with all application details, fully illustrated, in there.
+Nancy Reyner Thank You, Nancy I really enjoy the book although I'm a oil painter but there are few technique that i can apply in my paintings. Will you possibly be writing a one that's for oil ?
+Cheng Jason Hi Cheng, I will be writing a blog article on how to use oil on gold leaf. However, since you have my book, you can use almost all of the techniques there, just substitute using solvent for diluting oil paint whenever I say to use water to dilute the acrylics. You can also use the techniques in the book in acrylic, then apply oil paint over them.
What a wonderful teacher you are! I very much enjoyed your presentation.
Thank you so much! Glad you like it.
What an informative tutorial! I feel like I took a whole class without all the hassle. Very nice teaching aesthetic. TYSM!
Nancy I like ur video.The way u explain is very nice nd simple
Excellent teaching, Nancy.
Oh my, what an incredible teacher you are, Nancy. This has been so helpful for me, and so much fun, as well. Thank you for all your time and knowledge!
You are so welcome!
Thanks Nancy. Very articulate & plenty of tips. Thanks for your generosity--47 more thumbs up for those who thumb downed.
God bless you for taking the needed time to fully explain this. Merry Christmas
Golf leafing was so hard to me until I watched this video THANK YOU,, THANK YOU for sharing your technique
This is an AMAZING video. WOW! Thank you so much for publishing this in-depth tutorial that goes above and beyond the norm. Your generosity is extremely appreciated!! Any tips for the glue and sealant we should use for watercolor paintings?
I like this woman....excellent instructor...appreciate your sharing...cheers!
Thanks so much Nancy. A long video, but very thorough for a beginner like me. I have the leaf, just not the guts--until now. Just what I needed to open the door on leafing. I am wondering, since I bought a jar of tricolor leaf bits, just how should I use them to get the best result? Now I want to leaf everything! Perhaps my husband would look good shiny. Great tute. XOXOJane
Thank you SO MUCH for providing such comprehensive and well laid out instructions! You have definitely reduced my fear of the gold leafing process (that wax paper trick alone is an absolute revelation!). I've added your book to my to-buy list, and I look forward to trying out all of the crazy painting techniques that I can possibly manage! Best of luck with your art career, and may the inspiration always be with you.
Watching this in India. My liking for gold leaf got me to your video and loved how professionally and thoroughly you explained things. Im just beginning to paint, and god there's so much to learn 😅.
Thank you so much. Fan of your art work too!!
Thank you so much, Nancy for this wonderful video and your method of sharing your knowledge, that I appreciate so much. Love your artwork. I've seen your videos several times already, because even watching you work is an art itself. Gorgeous pictures and colors. I'm going to buy your book too, so I can enjoy seeing your work any time I want to. One day I might give it a try using gold leaves. So beautiful! Thank you so much being so kind and inspiring.
Such a thorough and easy to understand tutorial on the method ,usage, techniques on gold leaf. Yay! I'm thinking about doing tears flowing from a drawing of my eyes, looking at my daughter who passed during covid . I always thought the adhesive had to be thin to adhere. After seeing your dripping method( which looks dimensional), I will practice on something before I attempt it on my drawing. Tks a million❤️
Have fun!
Wow! I thought Gold leaf was just about gluing and painting. Thank you so much for this video. It has been very very helpful
What a great help! Very clear and sharp! Thank you very much.
Glad you liked it!
it is the very first time i watched an entire video, you are a very pleasant lady with a very pleasant voice! i can watch you over and over again and still keep a smile on my face. very helpful, THANK YOU!
Hi Nancy
I have watched your video through a couple of times. Thank you for taking the time to put that together for everyone.
I plan to gold leaf some fake fur very short in length, like what you might find on a deer.
I am curious as to the sealing in the end to keep the fake fur from moving around when I dust my object covered with the fake fur (it will be hanging on a wall and will need to periodically dusted).
What sealants should I apply (using fake gold) to keep the fabric hairs in place and not fall apart from the dusting that it will need in the future.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
Hmmm that's an interesting question. I have two ideas. The first idea is to spray the fur before you leaf it. Use a clear gloss Krylon spray. After a couple of spray coats, see if the hairs stay put. If so, then you can leaf over that using an oil based adhesive instead of the waterbased adhesive. The second idea is that after you leaf over the fur (without spraying it first) you can then apply a couple of spray coats using the Krylon. Apply as many coats as needed to flatten the fur. I suggest using the oil based leaf adhesive for both methods as this will adhere better to the fur. These are just theories as I have never worked on fur before. I recommend experimenting on something you don't care about first before working on your important piece.
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. 😊
Would you finish with the oil based krylon as a final coat, or would the two different coats you mentioned in the video be better advisable for the final coating?
@@karenanddj Yes use the Krylon as a final coat. You do not need the archival varnishes I mention in the video. Archival varnishes are removable for cleaning purposes. Since you will not be removing the varnishes to clean them, like you would a fine art painting on a flat surface, you don't need to spend the extra money for these products. Also, a removable varnish would not be as permanent as the Krylon.
Nancy, you're a godsend. I needed a fast, simple explanation of the process and yours was by far the clearer and most concise. Good thing i found you early in my search. I'll be able to finish my pieces in time. Many many thanks.
Thank you so much Nancy. I was given some gold leaf but have never really used it. This was so informative and I am looking forward to giving it a try.
I just discovered you.... love it so much thank you!!!!
You are an amazing instructor and such a gifted artist! Thank you for making this video. I just subscribed!
Wow, thank you!
Hi Nancy, thank you for this very good an infomativ instruction video. Greetings from Bavaria - Tina :D
very helpful, thanks. What about using it with oil paint.. under or over the paint?
It works just fine, used for centuries. Just remember that if you want a mirror finish you have to put your gold on a gesso or similar so you can burnish it, so it's under the paint or aside it. If you put it on oil or an oil based size it will be matte, because the surface is covered in ripples, so you won't get the full light out of the precious metal. But it's way easier. Oil must be almost dried, slightly sticky to you finger when you run it on the surface. If it's still too "wet", you can have bad surprises, like your leaf tearing up as the paint dries. Oil-based size is pre-cooked to dry quickly, but it's the same oil as the paint basically.
Yes you can definitely use oil paint under or over leaf. If leafing over oil paint you should use the oil-based adhesive instead of the water-based adhesive.
There's a lot of really good tips here not only about gilding but also about painting. Thanks so much for sharing!