How To Prepare and Apply

Clay Bole

A 3-Part Series For Traditional Water Gilding

January 3, 10, 17, 2026 (Once a Week for three Weeks)

4pm - 5:30pm PST

7pm - 8:30pm EST

*(Adjust for Local Time Zone)

All Levels Welcome!

CANCELLATION POLICY: Please Read Below at the bottom of the page.

CLASS SIZE LIMIT: 10 Students Max

ALL LEVELS WELCOME!

Getting scratching in your gilding or brush marks in your clay that are affecting the look of your gilding? Still unsure about the right consistency before the glue is added? Then read on!

Clay Bole, the silky smooth clay comprised of aluminum silicate and iron oxide and applied to the surface of the gilder’s gesso plays an integral role in Traditional Water Gilding. It provides a cushion on the underlying hard gesso and offers a sympathetic color under the extraordinarily thin gold leaf, affecting the overall tone of the gilding, from warm to cool.

The proper preparation of the clay is very important in how the final gilding appears. Too thick and unsightly brush marks will appear under the gold; over-polishing the Clay Bole surface can result in poor adhesion between the bole and the gold.

Session I.

• Rabbit Skin Glue (RSG) vs. Gelatin

• Grinding Dry Bole: Mortar and Pestle, Muller and Slab, Ball Mills

• Achieving the Proper Consistency of the Bole before Measuring for the Recipe

• Brand Availability in the Marketplace (keeping up with the changes!)

Session II.

• Prepare the 10% Gelatin binder,

• Achievee the proper overall Consistency to minimize or eliminate Brush Marks

Session III.

• Apply the Clay Bole to a prepared Gessoed Surface

• Brush Techniques for Detailed Picture Frame Mouldings and Flat Panels

• A Discussion of the varying number of coat applications for different visual effects

Whether you’re currently studying the art of Water Gilding, an experienced Gilder, or returning to the art, this special Masterclass on Clay Bole will serve as an important Course of Study in gaining a greater understanding of this important material used in Traditional Water Gilding and developing the right touch for preparing and applying it for Frames, Furniture, Architectural Elements, Objects, and Panels. ~

All classes are Live on Zoom and recorded for viewing by students. Recordings remain accessible for six months. A Question and Answer Period is provided during each 90-Minute Weekly Session.

A Materials list will be made available upon Registrationf . Contact the Gilding Studio for further information.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Although No Refunds are available, a Full Credit to Any Future Available Class of equal or lesser value will be provided if you need to cancel. Or if you prefer, you may receive the full Recording Series from the class you joined or from a previously recorded series of your online class. Go Here to View the Complete Cancellation Policy.