The workshop will commence by making manuscript gesso with appropriate health and safety advice. Please note: traditional gesso contains fish glue and a small amount of white lead.

 

 

Participants will learn how to lay the gesso correctly, getting rid of air bubbles. When dry, the design will be gilded with loose leaf gold.

 

 

The gold can be burnished to a high shine. Designs are completed with either watercolour or gouache.

 

 

All materials are included and a selection of medieval designs is available for participants to copy if required.

 

Please note: gilding on gesso takes some practice. A shine as seen on the ‘R’, above, is difficult to achieve initially.