How to Gold leaf instructional classes.

Online gilding classes by Master Gilders. During COVID-19 all classes are taught via ZOOM

These hands-on instructional classes for gold leaf gilding include traditional water gilding methods, gilding on glass, gilding for works of art and canvases and much more.Online classes now on ZOOM!


Gilding Classes from Charles Douglas Gilding Studio

Professional Gilding Classes by one of the industry's most respected Master Gilders - Charles Douglas.

The GildedPlanet.com is excited to partner with the Charles Douglas Gilding Studio to provide you with the highest quality, hands on training for the gilding arts. These exciting classes and weekend seminars provide you with basic to advanced techniques and principles for a variety of gilding applications. Whether you're an interior designer, architect, professional gilder, artisan or someone simply interested in this ancient craft, you'll find the classes offered by the Gilding Studio a must-do resource for all your gilding needs.

Charles is a committed teacher of the gilding arts and offers classes in a variety of gold leaf gilding methods and techniques in Seattle and New York.

About our Gilding classes
gold leaf classes

Gilding Classes

Each class is designed to specifically address different substrates, including objects, furniture and picture frames. Traditional techniques, including historical overview, are paired with contemporary processes. You'll learn proper terminology, dive into materials and various uses depending on your project. You'll also have first hand troubleshooting and problem solving experience directly with Master Gilder Charles Douglas. Each course is paired with a full materials list, a one stop location for all your course supplies. For attendees of each course, GildedPlanet offers a special materials discount. Purchase the whole materials package at a reduced 'kit' pricing, or individual products to expand your current tool kit.

Review our course offering below and embark on a path to creativity incorporating the wondrous world of the Gilding Arts!


Gilding for the holidays

Holiday Special

Gilding for the Holidays!

Ever wish you could add a touch of gold to your holiday festivities? Learn to add a bit of gilding to your favorite delicacies, from Viennese Sachatorte to Chocolates, Champagne, and Perrier!

During this special class we'll work with edible gold while also exploring simple ways of adding genuine gold and silver leaf to decorative holiday items that can inspire you for your own personal, sacred, or family traditions, whether brightly gilded glass ornaments for trees, deckled edged paper, or savory Gulab Jamun!

Join us for this annual fun gathering, all levels and traditions welcome!

Learn more and register!


Class One
Sacred gilding gold leaf classes

Sacred Gilding...Gilding the Buddha

Zoom! Online Masterclass Tutorial - Sacred Gilding...Gilding the Buddha

Join us Online during this first installment of the Gilding in the Sacred Realm series.

We begin with a brief discussion of the use of gilding in Sacred practice, from Christian Orthodox Iconography to the gilded altars of Hare Krishna with an emphasis on the technical use of the Oil Gilding method.

Gilder Charles Douglas will demonstrate applying a thin coating of oil size to a small replica of one of the 29 named Buddhas while using traditional gilder's tools in gilding with genuine loose 23k gold leaf. Students may use their own tools, gold, and materials to follow along during this very special 90 minute Masterclass Tutorial or simply sit back, watch and enjoy!

Learn more and register!


Class Two
Water gilding gold leaf classes

Traditional Water Gilding

Be guided through each step of this beautiful, ancient method of gold leaf gilding for use on such objects as picture frames, furniture, and architectural detail. Students will learn Online to prepare rabbit skin glue, traditional gesso, and clay bole grounds followed by laying and burnishing genuine 23 kt gold leaf and basic toning.

Learn more and register!


Class Three
gold leaf classes

Verre Églomisé

Glass Gilding. The use of gold or Silver leaf on glass goes back to early Roman times and was a popular technique used for Looking Glass Mirrors during eighteenth and nineteenth century England.

Glass Gilding... the Foundation for Verre Églomisé - Learn the beautiful ancient art of reverse glass gilding and discover the steps involved in achieving a strong and brilliant bond between glass and leaf. Students will learn to properly clean the glass, prepare gelatin size, gild the glass with genuine white gold and be introduced to the concept of engraving the gilding in reverse before the final step of backpainting...plus abrading, candlesmoke, and Black India Ink for special effects!

Learn more and register!


Class Four
gold leaf classes

Gold Leaf Gilding for Works of Art...a Study for Fine Artists

Students explore the various methods of working with gold and silver leaf to create a 23k gilded ground as an element of composition for painting. Discover the many uses of gilding within works of art through online instruction including gilding of high-relief for embellishment, an intro to traditional water gilding and pastiglia, and use of glair, oil size, acrylic emulsion, and gum ammoniac as mordants for gilding.

Learn more and register!


Class Five
gold leaf classes

Gold Leaf Restoration of Gilded Frames and Furniture.

This new Online class provides students with an introduction to the essential methods and techniques of gold leaf restoration including preparation and use of gesso and gesso putty for infilling, crackle gesso, mould casting for the repair of broken or missing decorative elements and the basics of traditional water gilding, oil gilding, and toning.

Learn more and register!


Class Six
antique dutch black classes

Creating the Antique Dutch Black Finish...

with Genuine Silver gilt edge

Join us as we go through each step of the Antique Dutch Black Finish as inspired by 17thc frames from Holland. Before we're finished we'll gild the frame Lip in genuine Silver Leaf and tone with an antique wash. A rare opportunity to learn this beautiful finish for picture frames!

Note: Materials list will be provided for all classes. Dutch Black will require shellac (ruby, orange or clear in order of preference). Also, casein paint: black, raw umber, and yellow ochre as well as denatured alcohol and a raw wood picture frame or other raw wood object which you would like to apply this finish.

Learn more and register!


Cancellation Policy ~

If student cancels class or a date postponement is needed due to an event outside of the control of the Charles Douglas Gilding Studio such as COVID-19, a full tuition credit, which does not expire and of same or equal value, will be provided for any available future class and any available location. Full tuition refund if instructor cancels class (student airfare not included; airfare insurance recommended).

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