Gold Leaf And Size.

This week we’ll talk about the difference in some of the leaf and the size used to apply it..

There are many many colors of leaf available, dark, light, white, and variegated. You can also get leaf in copper and aluminum. It’s also available in rolls from ½ on up, which is very useful for doing long lines. The variegated leaf is imitation gold but it can produce some very interesting effects and available in many colors. Pretty well all leaf can be of the imitation variety if you so choose to use it. For learning purposes. I would stay with the imitation leaf. It’s much less costly, so mistakes won’t cost you all that much. The real karat leaf comes in what is known as loose leaf, or a bonded leaf. My thoughts on this are stay with the bonded leaf. It’s stuck to a carried sheet. Therefore, it’s much easier to use and less waste. The loose leaf is just that, and has to be picked up with a guilders brush. However, the imitation leaf is of the loose-leaf variety

Looking at real gold leaf you’ll notice the different color between the 23 and the 18-karat. The 18-karat has more copper in it. Therefore, it doesn’t have as much gold in it as the 23 karat. This gives it a more red color. Therefore, it’s also less costly.

Size

Sizing is what is used to attach the leaf to the subject your going to apply the gold leaf to. It’s available in a mineral base or a water-soluble base. We won’t concern ourselves with the later as it’s normally used on porous surfaces. Such as picture frames, (i.e. wood, plaster, etc.) The mineral base size is available in from several manufactures such as Rolco, La Franc and One Shot; it also comes in various drying times, from a few minutes to days. It just depends on the size of the job your doing as to the type you buy. For example, you wouldn’t do a semi trailer with quick size. Then again, I can’t imagine doing a semi trailer in the first place. I particularly like the Rolco quick size. It gives you about forty-five minutes to get the leaf applied. This is just perfect for doing bikes and cars. One shot and La Franc are good too. I just started with Rolco and stayed with it. Although La Franc is a little slower drying, so it is more suitable for doing much larger jobs. One Shot is basically the same as the Rolco, but I think is more susceptible to brush marks. I also find the Rolco Quick size, once it’s brushed out dries as smooth as glass. Just be careful of dust getting in it. The leaf is very thin a will telegraph through.

Now you need a brush to apply it. I just use a plain craft brush. One, that’s ½ inch wide, with synthetic hair in it. Which is taklon? I find it will give me very light smooth coats. Now you need some kind of masking medium. Use a good quality masking automotive tape, or you can use the masking paint vinyl that’s used in vinyl cutters. (Plotters) Lay out your design with the tape, and then apply the size. Go easy don’t use too much, you just want to cover the surface and brush the size starting from the edge of the masking tape, and work to the center. Don’t brush up to the tape, brush away from it. You definitely do not want to build up an edge. Here’s a little hint. If you have it just add a drop or two of One Shot metallic gold into your size. This will do two things. One it will allow you to see where your applying the size a little better and since it’s gold. It will give your gold leaf a little more depth to it. Now pull the tape off as soon as you can. This will give you a nice clean sharp line. If it’s left on until it’s ready for the leaf, you’ll end up with a ragged edge. Ok now it’s time for the leaf, no not yet. You need to do a squeak test to see if it’s ready for the leaf. After ten minutes or so. Very very lightly. Drag your finger across the size, it should squeak with out any marks being left behind. Another little hint, off to the side of your work just apply a little sample swipe of the size. That way you don’t need to drag your finger through your work and chance ruining it. Well, that’s about the size of it for now. Sorry couldn’t resist. Next, we’ll apply the leaf, and get into burnishing and some special effects .So stay tuned.