Dao Huy Hoang Contemporary & Traditional Gilding Artist
Two workshops. Two approaches. One obsession with gold.
Dao Huy Hoang draws inspiration from Japanese Buddhist painting (Butsuga) and iconography, exploring sophisticated uses of gold in sacred artworks. Rather than replacing traditional methods, his teaching builds upon historical knowledge to develop new artistic possibilities for today's practitioners — bridging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation. Join him in person in NYC for one, or both, of two intensive three-day workshops. These sessions are hands-on and focused: everyone walks away with a beautiful piece of work created with genuine gold leaf.
Gilding Workshops with Dao Huy Hoang
Both workshops are taught in person at Sepp Leaf Products in NYC and run three full days each, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Class size is limited to just 7 students, so each participant receives close, individual attention.
Why Learn with Huy Hoang?
- Rare Perspective: Training rooted in Japanese Buddhist painting (Butsuga) and iconography, applied to both contemporary and classical gilding methods.
- Small, Intensive Classes: Capped at 7 students per session for hands-on, individualized instruction over three full days.
- Real Materials, Real Skills: Work directly with genuine gold and silver leaf, traditional tools, and professional-grade sizing and clay products.
- Two Distinct Paths: Choose a modern water-based gilding system built for reliability, a classical Japanese Nihonga approach steeped in centuries of technique, or take both.
Register now - Two workshops, one obsession with gold!
To register for either workshop, email calligraphy@huyhoangdao.com with your name and the workshop(s) you'd like to join. Spots are limited to 7 students per session.
Contemporary Gilding on Paper & Wood Panels
Using Kölner Instacoll & Burnishing Clay
This three-day, in-person workshop introduces a modern water-based gilding system and polishing ground designed as a reliable alternative for tropical and humid climates — while preserving the brilliance of traditional mirror gilding.
What You'll Learn:
- Day 1: Surface preparation, mounting parchment, and applying Instacoll and burnishing clay
- Day 2: Surface refinement, carving patterns, and applying the first gold layer
- Day 3: Building multiple gold layers, burnishing, and achieving both mirror and matte finishes
By the end of the workshop, you'll complete five pieces, including mirror-polished gilding, raised and recessed patterns, and parchment variations.
Materials provided: wood panels, parchment, papers, bamboo tweezers, and brushes. Please bring: Instacoll products, Kölner burnishing clay, 23K gold/silver leaf, brushes, burnishers, and talc powder.
Register Now »Class Info
Dates: October 13–15
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily*
Location: Sepp Leaf Products, 381 Park Ave S. Rm. #1301, New York, NY (in-person)
Cost: $600.00
ONLY 7 SPOTS AVAILABLE.
*Three full days of instruction.
Traditional Japanese Gold Techniques
Inspired by the Rinpa School and artists like Tawaraya Sōtatsu
This three-day, in-person workshop introduces the principal traditional gold techniques used in Japanese Nihonga painting, rooted in centuries of practice.
Core Techniques Covered:
- Hakuoshi — gold leaf application for luminous finishes
- Kirihaku — cutting and applying shaped gold pieces
- Sunago — scattered gold flakes for texture
- Noge — delicate gold strips and lines
- Kindei — gold powder application
What You'll Learn:
- Day 1: Creating traditional tools from bamboo and deer leather
- Day 2: Cutting techniques (noge, kirihaku) and applying gold leaf (hakuoshi)
- Day 3: Gold powder preparation, hand-polishing, and intentional sprinkling techniques
By the end of the workshop, you'll complete three to five mounted paper pieces incorporating all five techniques.
Materials provided: bamboo tweezers, bamboo tubes/knives, materials for the gold cushion, imitation gold powder (Kindei), mounted panels, nikawa (animal glue), dosa (sizing), and brushes. Please bring: 22K or 23K Japanese gold leaf, silver leaf, colored silver leaves, talc powder, and an agate burnisher.
Register Now »Class Info
Dates: October 26–28
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily*
Location: Sepp Leaf Products, 381 Park Ave S. Rm. #1301, New York, NY (in-person)
Cost: $650.00
ONLY 7 SPOTS AVAILABLE.
*Three full days of instruction.
QUESTIONS?
Email calligraphy@huyhoangdao.com to reserve your spot in either or both workshops. Space is limited to 7 students per session.
Your Journey Starts Here
Whether you're drawn to the modern reliability of contemporary gilding or the depth of traditional Japanese technique, Dao Huy Hoang's workshops offer a rare, hands-on way to work with genuine gold leaf under close instruction.
Register Now »Workshop Disclaimer
Please note that participation in these gilding workshops is at your own risk. We are not responsible for any injuries, material stains, or accidents that may occur during the course of a workshop.
While guidance is provided, we cannot guarantee the quality of your completed pieces, as results depend on each participant's artistic skill and patience.
Refund Policy: No refunds will be issued except in the case of unforeseen cancellations where a session cannot be held.
Cancellation Policy: Enrollment is limited to 7 students per workshop; please notify the instructor as early as possible if you are unable to attend so your spot can be offered to another student.