Gold leaf application

For this tutorial i would like to share how i work with gold leaf, im not an expert at it yet, but im getting good results, neither did anyone teach me, its all self taught and trial and errors, i find some useful technique that i learned along the way that may help you in your journey into art.

With gold leaf application, the more flat and hard your surface that you use the more shinier it gets, wood is a good surface to work on for better results, with canvas, it will still show the surface of the canvas, which is still ok.

Its also best to paint an undercoat paint close to the leaf color that your using, i like using any hues of
Orange, or yellow, and the reason i like having the undercoat is when i miss a spot it would not be that obvious.

Then i use a guilding paint, its a stick paint that males the surface more tachy so the leaf sticks to it. It is best to only paint it in areas that you want the leaf, and allow it to clear up before applying the leaf. Wait about 30 to 45 mins. Use your finger if its sticky and does not leave a residue on your finger then it should be ready.

i use this guilding adhesive, cost $11 with no coupon
Then when you apply the leaf its best to aligh it as best as you can, work with in indoors with no air or wind, as these leafs are super light and delicate, over lap each ends so you wont miss a spot, then gently use a brush or you hands with gloves to make it more flat, and slowly peel off the unwanted parts, use the left over crumbs for missed spots.

to summarize it here is a short clip video on my process

I love working with metal leafs, theres 3 colors to choose from namely, Gold, Silver and Copper. Its comes in sheets or crumbs, i like sheets better, i am closely getting more identified with my art. Im really drawn to shiny elegant art, i also work with resin which also is shiny, i like it when it makes your eyes and soul shine, plus we are all drawn to gold going back thousands of years. Actually i find this gold material is more attractive nowadays, i see alot of expensive food when gold is applied. And also i know that sooner or later gold will be back as a currency. It never grows old, unlike paper money, gold and silver is the real currency that has been and always will be.