Gesso Putty

How to Make your Own for Repairs and Restoration

Although this particular class has ended the Class Recording is Now Available as an Archive Recording and remains viewable with Registration for 1 Year Viewing. Sign up to receive the link to watch this full Masterclass for Gilding and Traditional Gesso Restoration!

ALL LEVELS WELCOME!

Gesso putty - from making, to filling to shaping! Join us for this special one-part 90 Minute Masterclass on this important component in the restoration and conservation of gold leaf gilded frames, furniture, and other antique gilded wooden objects. Most historical and contemporary forms of gilded wood includes the use of gesso, the foundation for gilding which fills the grain of wood and in the case of traditional water gilding, allows for the burnishing of gold leaf.

Whether through damage or natural degradation, gilded gesso can delaminate, suffer gouging, dents, or other loss through impact or other environmental causes. A putty made from the same materials as traditional gesso is often used in the restoration and conservation of gilding.

Learn to prepare gesso putty from a proper mix of rabbit skin glue, calcium carbonate, and water. Gesso Putty is indispensable for its use in filling holes and other areas of gesso loss and for shaping in various situations in preparation for gilding. A must for any serious student of restoration in the gilding arts! ~

Materials: This Gesso Putty Masterclass is intended as a Demonstration. Students are not expected to work along during the class, although they may choose to.. It is generally good to simply watch and engage in the after-session Question/Answer period and practice making putty with the recording. Materials include Rabbit Skin Glue, Calcium Carbonate, and Distilled Water.