Learn To Make Traditional Gesso!

Gilding Class Fridays! ~ An Archive Recording

This is a Special Masterclass Recording on the topic of making Hard and Soft Gesso and the required 10% Rabbit Skin Glue Solution.

Although this particular class from Fall 2022 has ended the Class Recording is still available and remains viewable with Registration for 1 Year. Sign up to receive the links to watch this full class series!

Gesso is the essential foundation for Traditional Water Gilding for frames, furniture, and architectural elements as well as for gilded Panels for gilded egg tempera painting and Iconography. It can also serve as a ground for oil gilding and water-based mordants to fill the grain of any wooden object.

‘Gesso Fridays’ provides a unique opportunity for students to learn this ancient method of making traditional gesso made of rabbit skin glue, calcium carbonate, and water.

During this Single 90-Minute Class we focus solely on preparing Gesso.

• Learn to properly prepare a 10% Rabbit Skin Glue Solution

• Develop your skills in using a Hard and Soft Gesso Recipe which work together to produce the stable surface required for burnishing traditional water gilding

• Explore the simple but important techniques for sifting, stirring, straining, and overall care of your gesso

This special class is offered every Friday for students interested in learning to make gesso in one single 90-minute session and includes a Question and Answer Period. A link to the recording of the Live session is also provided which remains viewable for six months.

Gesso Fridays is suitable for all levels, from those who are just beginning to experienced gilders seeking a greater understanding of traditional gesso with guidance on such issues as controlling pinholes, crack mechanisms in the gesso, and achieving a better burnish in their water gilding.

Materials: To make Gesso you will need the following items with recommended minimum quantities. These items are listed separately which are also part of two water gilding kits that are available through Gildedplanet. To purchase the following materials and the #660D Brush for just making Gesso you can purchase the items on this Gildedplanet page. (Registered students receive a student discount which you will receive in your confirmation email. Or, send a quick note to Charles in the gilding studio!)

• Rabbit Skin Glue, 1 Pound

• Calcium Carbonate, 2 Pounds

• Distilled Water 1 Gallon

• A good general use Brush #660D is available through Gilded Planet

• An assortment of 1 & 1 -1/2inch Soft Flat Watercolor brushes are good to have on hand; a Stiple Dome Shaped brush is good for large panels and furniture.

• For those interested in a full water gilding kit there are two gilding kits available through Gildedplanet that contain the materials, brushes, gold leaf as well as a pad, knife, tip, and burnisher for water gilding. The two kits available for Traditional Water Gilding are: The Basic Water Gilding Kit #CDWG and the expanded Water Gilding Kit for Panels #CDPAN. The individual materials listed above may also be purchased on the Gildedplanet Page.