Sgraffito

…For Picture Frames and Panels

August 12, 19, 26, 2025 (Includes All 3 Sessions)

4pm - 5:30pm PST

7pm - 8:30pm EST

**All Classes Are Live Online And Backup Recorded, Perfect If You Need To Miss A Class!

CLASS SIZE LIMIT: 10

(Adjust for Local Time Zone and Daylight Savings Time Changes)

CLASS SIZE LIMIT: 10 Students Max

ALL LEVELS WELCOME!

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

Sgraffito, Italian for ‘scratched’, is a decorative process used in gilding where design elements are etched into an egg tempera paint which is applied over a burnished water gilded surface revealing the brilliant gold leaf ground underneath. This technique can also be applied to mordant gilding and imitation gold and silver to great effect.

This Renaissance Period decorative approach was used on early gilded and egg tempera panel paintings, frames, and statuary and continues today, used as embellishment in this centuries-old tradition.

Join us for this special 3-Session Masterclass as we learn to prepare and apply traditional egg tempera over both imitation and 23k Gold Leaf using a water-based acrylic emulsion Size (adhesive).

• Session 1. We will discuss the traditional water gilding process for Panels and Frames. A pre-Water Gilded 23k Frame Corner Sample will be used for demonstration. We will also create a small gilded Panel useful for beginning students using an Acrylic water-based adhesive and Brass Leaf (imitation gold). Both the Gold and Brass Leaf projects will be used for the Egg Tempera Sgraffito.

• Session 2. We Prepare and Apply the Traditional Egg Tempera

• Session 3. We etch our Sgraffito Designs through the Egg Tempera with pointed wood sticks (Rosewood, Ebony, and Bamboo) revealing the underlying gilding. A demonstration of Punchwork, an element of Granito that adds a touch of sparkle to the gilding will conclude the Series.

We also discuss the use of a weak shellac solution as a protective coating.

This Masterclass is open to all levels. For those who are new to gilding, learning this beautiful historical Technique is beneficial on its own and you are always welcome to explore the wide variety of other gilding classes offered.

All classes are Live on Zoom and recorded for viewing by students which remain accessible for six months.

Materials required for the Sgraffito Masterclass may include:

• An option of a pre-water gilded panel in a size of your choice or a panel gilded in Brass Leaf with water-based adhesive and shellacked.

• an optional picture frame with a flat, suggested 3/4” minimum frame panel

• Water based Adhesive (if not using a water gilded panel)

• A Booklet of Imitation gold leaf Brass Leaf or Aluminum (if not using Gold Leaf)

• Shellac (if using the Brass or Aluminum Leaf)

• Black dry pigment (or other color; French Ultramarine Blue is nice!) ~

Note: A Confirmation will be sent within 24 hours. A Zoom link for Class will be sent a few days before our first Lesson.