Charles Douglas Gilding Studio Gilding classes

Gold leaf and gilding classes - In-person and Online ZOOM classes


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 Charles Douglas Gilding Studio a must-do resource for all your gilding needs.

March 22 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Gilding For Absolute Beginners

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


March 26 - April 9, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding For Absolute Beginners

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


March 27 - April 7, 2024

Gilding for Works of Art, a Study for Fine Artists

(On-Line) Gilding for Works of Art, a Study for Fine Artists

Students explore the various methods of working with Brass metal leaf, Aluminum leaf, and Gold and Silver leaf on canvas, paper, and panels for both background and embellishment.

Learn to lay a genuine 23k gold leaf ground for painting while discovering the use of MSA varnish and GAC200/500 for protection of tarnishable metals and providing isolating coats for painting in acrylics and a discussion of options in oils.

Instructor Charles Douglas will patiently take you through the intricacies of working with delicate gold leaf and how to tame it with the proper use of the gilder's tip, pad, and knife. Explore such ancient mordants as gum ammoniac, and glair, and contemporary oil size and acrylic emulsion.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


April 13, 2024

Pastiglia The Art of Gilded Raised Gesso

(In-Person) Gilding For Absolute Beginners - Whidbey Island 2024

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during class to gild an object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) with the use of acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Join us for this excellent Introduction to the ancient world of gold leaf gilding! This new addition to the series of Gilding Classes developed by Gilder and Teacher Charles Douglas has fast become a popular one day Introduction to the Gilding World for students anxious to begin and is now offered in Charles’ Gilding Studio on Beautiful Whidbey Island.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


April 25 - 28, 2024

Pastiglia The Art of Gilded Raised Gesso

(In-Person) Water Gilded Panels & Gilding for Works of Art - New Zealand

This Workshop takes the student through each step of the ancient traditional water gilding method specifically for panels from the laying and gluing of linen, preparing and applying gesso and clay bole to laying, burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf, and an introduction to granito, the technique of punchwork and incision for decorative embellishment.

This course has been developed for the Fine Artist as well as the student of Iconography although this same method of Traditional Water Gilding is also used for Picture Frames and Furniture so students from all fields of study are welcome. All materials including the panel and gold leaf as well as the use of gilding tools and brushes are included in your tuition.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


May 8 - 29, 2024

Pastiglia The Art of Gilded Raised Gesso

(On-Line) How To Gild Anything

Have you ever thought about how you might apply gold leaf to something special? A Rose perhaps, a cup, a stone or shell, chair, frame, or (gasp!) your fingernails?

Throughout the Centuries gilders have come up with methods, techniques, and adhesives to apply precious gold leaf to a wide range of surfaces. Glues and other sticky substances from both the animal and vegetal kingdoms have been used, from rabbit skin glue and egg white to urushi and tree resin. (There are also some other somewhat unmentionables but you can read-up on those in the 12th c book On Divers Arts by the Benedictine Monk Theopholis and you’ll get the idea!).

In this first-ever Online Zoom class, How To Gild Anything, you’ll discover an overall view of many of these techniques and ancient mordants to apply gold leaf to, well, anything. Learn to grind garlic bulbs by hand, apply the juice (Ilinocopia) to a Buddha statue and activate the sticky quality by breathing through a bamboo straw while applying 23k gold leaf. See how you might gild your favorite Rose. Lay a sheet of gold leaf on a pool of water and gild a small wooden ball by dipping down and pushing up through the bottom of the gold (always a favorite one!). And yes, how to gild those nails!

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


May 9 - July 4, 2024

Pastiglia The Art of Gilded Raised Gesso

(On-Line) Antique Dutch Black Frame Finish...with Gilded Inner Edge

During each Class Series, Instructor Charles Douglas creates a completely finished frame with a gilded inner edge for a specific piece of art. During this Series, a Vermeer Print from the Frick Collection in New York will be the featured art.

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 mordant gild the frame’s Inner Edge in genuine Gold or White Gold Leaf and tone it for aging. A rare opportunity to learn this beautiful finish for picture frames!

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


May 10 - August 2, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-line) Water Gilded Panels… from Pastiglia to Sgraffito

Special 12 week Workshop designed for the Fine artist working specifically on Panels in Egg Tempera, Oils, or Acrylics. This extended format of the popular Water Gilded Panels class takes the student on a journey through each step of the ancient traditional water gilding method all the way through the historical techniques of Granito (Punchwork and Incision), Pastiglia (Raised Gesso), and Sgraffito (Traditional Egg Tempera applied over the burnished gold leaf with decorative designs etched through to reveal the underlying gold leaf).

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


May 18, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Gilding for Works of Art - Whidbey Island

This popular one-day Intensive gilding class for Fine Artists is among the Series of Gold Leaf Gilding Classes developed by Gilder and Teacher Charles Douglas. Held in such cities as New York, San Francisco, Christchurch, New Zealanf, and Owen Sound, Ontario this particular focus of study is now offered at Charles’ private Gilding Studio on beautiful Whidbey Island, WA where a small group of artists are invited to study incorporating gilding into their own works of art.

Students explore the various methods of working with gold and silver leaf on canvas, paper, and panels for both background and embellishment.

Learn to lay a genuine 23k gold leaf ground for painting as well as brass and silver colored aluminum leaf. Discover the use of varnish and isolating coats to protect tarnishable metals while successfully painting over the gilding with acrylic and the possibilities with oil and egg tempera mediums.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


June 4 - 8, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Spring Gilding Week - New York City

Students May Sign Up for either the Individual Classes or Register for the All Week Pass.

Traditional Water Gilding

This popular 3-day class is designed for all those looking to learn the Traditional Method of Water Gilding, from Fine Artists to Picture Framers to Furniture Makers and beyond! Students learn to prepare and apply gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as we take a journey through each of the steps in this beautiful ancient method of gilding.

Glass Gilding: An Intro to Verre Églomisé

Explore the beautiful artistry of gilded mirrors and other gilded glass art objects and learn to gild with precious 6k white gold leaf while taking part in a demonstration with 23k gold leaf. This is a hands-on class with a focus on gilding along with general instruction on etching into the leaf and reverse painting.

Gilding For Absolute Beginners

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during class to gild an object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) with the use of acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


June 4, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Glass Gilding: Introduction To Verre Églomisé - NYC

2024 Spring brings the return of the popular gilding workshop Glass Gilding: Introduction to Verre Églomisé to New York by gilder and reknowned instructor Charles Douglas! This special One-Day Intensive Gilding Class, to be held at Sepp Leaf Products in Manhattan introduces students to the art of verre églomisé with a focus on achieving a proper balance between brilliancy and bonding between the gold leaf and the glass. Explore the beautiful artistry of gilded mirrors and other gilded glass art objects and learn to gild with precious 6k white gold leaf while taking part in a demonstration with 23k gold leaf. This is a hands-on class with a focus on gilding along with general instruction on etching into the leaf and reverse painting.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


June 5 - 7, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Traditional Water Gilding For Picture Frames & Panels - NYC

This popular 3-day class is designed for all those looking to learn the Traditional Method of Water Gilding, from Fine Artists to Picture Framers to Furniture Makers and beyond! Students learn to prepare and apply gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as we take a journey through each of the steps in this beautiful ancient method of gilding.

Traditional Water Gilding is the same for any object of wood. The subtle differences between gilding Panels, Picture Frames, and other wooden objects will be discussed while every student gets to take home their project gilded in class.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


June 8, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Gilding…for Absolute Beginners! - NYC

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during class to gild an object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) with the use of acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Continuing with the use of acrylic we move to gilding with genuine 23k gold leaf including a brief but intriguing demonstration of other gilding methods such as traditional water gilding and glass gilding/verre églomisé to help prepare students for future study.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


June 12 - July 31, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Traditional Water Gilded Picture Frames

This popular Workshop takes the student on a journey through each step of the ancient traditional water gilding method, from gesso and clay bole to laying and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf.

Each lesson addresses a specific step of the process, keeping it challenging while not overwhelming. Creating a modern ‘Rub’ where some of the gold leaf is gently rubbed away to reveal the overlapping leaves of gold and color of the underlying clay bole is also demonstrated.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


June 25 - July 16, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding… for Absolute Beginners!

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

We then progress to the gilding in our second session, applying brass leaf (imitation gold) to our class project. We’ll also discuss the comparisons between Oil-Based and Acrylic Emulsion Mordants and the applications for both.

Our third and final session we graduate to gilding a second class project using genuine 23k Gold Leaf while learning the techniques of using the gilder’s tools: the Pad, Knife, and Tip with guidance in the care of the tools and in handling precious gold and silver leaf.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


July 23 - September 10, 2024, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gold Leaf Restoration

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


July 25 - August 15, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) How To Gild Book Edges

Join us for this very special 4-week series on Book Edge Gilding on Zoom! Online series, the art of applying gold leaf to the paper edges of books. Designed for the beginner, students will learn to prepare and seal the paper edge, apply a clay bole ground, prepare an egg white size known as glair, and gild and burnish the book edges with genuine 23k gold leaf.

Intended as an entry-level introduction to this beautiful method of gilding for book edges this series is well-suited for creating gilt edges for personal use and a perfect starting-point for further study in the book arts.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


July 27 - 28, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(In-Person) ~ Traditional Water Gilding - Whidbey Island

This ancient method of Gilding has been used to adorn such objects as 13th-18thc Panel Paintings, Early Renaissance to Present-Day Pictures Frames, Furniture, Statuary, Iconography, and Architectural Elements.

This Special 2-Day Intensive Workshop in the ancient art of Traditional Water Gilding was developed by Gilder and Teacher Charles Douglas offering 40 years of gilding experience originating with his early years gilding as a member of the Visual Merchandising staff at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. Held in such cities as New York, San Francisco, Owen Sound, Ontario, and Christchurch, New Zealand this Focus Study for Water Gilding is now offered in a 2-Day format for those needing a short-term class that still provides professional instruction in all of the steps of this beautiful art form.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


September 24 - 27, 2024

The Antique Dutch Black Finish...with Gilded 6k Inner Edge

(In-Person) Fall Gilding Week - New York

Traditional Water Gilding

This popular 3-day class is designed for all those looking to learn the Traditional Method of Water Gilding, from Fine Artists to Picture Framers to Furniture Makers and beyond! Students learn to prepare and apply gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as we take a journey through each of the steps in this beautiful ancient method of gilding.

Gilding For Absolute Beginners

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during class to gild an object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) with the use of acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


September 24, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Gilding… for Absolute Beginners! - NYC

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during class to gild an object using brass and aluminum leaf (imitation gold/silver) with the use of acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. It’s what’s known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans with soap and water but dries permanently creating an excellent bond for gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

Continuing with the use of acrylic we move to gilding with genuine 23k gold leaf including a brief but intriguing demonstration of other gilding methods such as traditional water gilding and glass gilding/verre églomisé to help prepare students for future study.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


September 25 - 27, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(In-Person) Traditional Water Gilding For Picture Frame & Panels - NYC

This popular 3-day class is designed for all those looking to learn the Traditional Method of Water Gilding, from Fine Artists to Picture Framers to Furniture Makers and beyond! Students learn to prepare and apply gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as we take a journey through each of the steps in this beautiful ancient method of gilding.

Traditional Water Gilding is the same for any object of wood. The subtle differences between gilding Panels, Picture Frames, and other wooden objects will be discussed while every student gets to take home their project gilded in class.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


October 8 - 29, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

Fascinated by the thought of gilding but simply don’t know where to begin? Then this is the class to take - Gilding…for Absolute Beginners!

We all need to start somewhere and this Introductory gilding class is designed for those just beginning. Students will learn during their first class how to seal and apply a yellow and red painted undercoat in preparation for gilding with an acrylic emulsion as the gilding adhesive. This adhesive is known as a mordant and like all acrylics, it’s water-based and cleans-up with soap and water but dries permanently, creating an excellent bond for imitation and genuine gold and other metal leafs to a variety of surfaces.

We then progress to the gilding in our second session, applying brass leaf (imitation gold) to our class project. We’ll also discuss the comparisons between Oil-Based and Acrylic Emulsion Mordants and the applications for both.

Our third and final session we graduate to gilding a second class project using genuine 23k Gold Leaf while learning the techniques of using the gilder’s tools: the Pad, Knife, and Tip with guidance in the care of the tools and in handling precious gold and silver leaf.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


October 10 - December 5, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Glass Gilding/Verre Églomisé

A new full 8 week Online Gilding Course introduces students to the art of Verre Églomisé with a focus on achieving a proper balance between brilliancy and bonding between the gold and silver leaf and the glass.

Students will learn to properly clean the glass, choose the appropriate backup paint and explore the following Glass Gilding Techniques:

- Single Gilding, Double Gilding, and Spot Gilding

- The Verre Églomisé technique of Etching Reverse Designs into the Gold to be seen from the Front

- Abrading the Leaf for Antiqued Effects

- Gilding Designs in Positive snd Negative Space

- Gilding the Exterior of Glass as a Decorative Finish

Explore the beautiful artistry of gilded glass and mirrors In both Modern solid gild and abraded ‘antique’ Finishes in 23k Gold snd 6k White Gold Leaf.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


October 16 - November 6, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) Gilding for Works of Art

Students explore the various methods of working with Brass metal leaf, Aluminum leaf, and Gold and Silver leaf on canvas, paper, and panels for both background and embellishment. Learn to lay a genuine 23k gold leaf ground for painting while discovering the use of MSA varnish and GAC200/500 for protection of tarnishable metals and providing isolating coats for painting in acrylics and a discussion of options in oils.

Instructor Charles Douglas will patiently take you through the intricacies of working with delicate gold leaf and how to tame it with the proper use of the gilder's tip, pad, and knife. Explore such ancient mordants as gum ammoniac, and glair, and contemporary oil size and acrylic emulsion. ~

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


October 18 - December 28, 2024

Water gilding gold leaf classes

(On-line) Water Gilded Panels~ Pastiglia to Sgraffito!

Kicking off the New winter Series for 2024 with this Special 12 week Workshop designed for the Fine artist working specifically on Panels in Egg Tempera, Oils, or Acrylics. This extended format of the popular Water Gilded Panels class takes the student on a journey through each step of the ancient traditional water gilding method all the way through the historical techniques of Granito (Punchwork and Incision), Pastiglia (Raised Gesso), and Sgraffito (Traditional Egg Tempera applied over the burnished gold leaf with decorative designs etched through to reveal the underlying gold leaf).

Students learn the laying and gluing of Muslin or fine Linen, preparing and applying gesso and clay bole, gilding and burnishing genuine 23k gold leaf as well as adding embellishments through the techniques of granito, pastiglia, and sgraffito. We apply the raised gesso to the panel corners, prepare and apply traditional egg tempera, and incorporate punchwork and incision into the exposed gold leaf that lies below the egg tempera highlighting our sgraffito, an ancient method for catching and reflecting the light.

Each lesson addresses a specific step of the process, keeping it challenging while not overwhelming. Students will need a set of gilding tools such as the pad, knife, and tip, various brushes, a book of 23k gold leaf and a raw wood panel to gild.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


November 25 - December 18, 2024

Absolute beginner gold leaf classes

(On-Line) How To Gild Book Edges

Join us for this very special 4-week series on Book Edge Gilding on Zoom! Online series, the art of applying gold leaf to the paper edges of books. Designed for the beginner, students will learn to prepare and seal the paper edge, apply a clay bole ground, prepare an egg white size known as glair, and gild and burnish the book edges with genuine 23k gold leaf.

Intended as an entry-level introduction to this beautiful method of gilding for book edges this series is well-suited for creating gilt edges for personal use and a perfect starting-point for further study in the book arts.

Learn more and register!

Purchase class kit and materials


CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY - More great classes coming soon!


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