A couple of Uncles ( Sign Painters) of mine here in Louisiana (one of whom is retired) used to do this. Some of their lettering, decades old, is still there in numerous Government Buildings in Downtown Baton Rouge. It lasts a long time. Fascinating to watch but not so easy to learn.
I just started watching videos on this sorta thing. I’m lost though.. what’s the liquid he is putting on before the leaf? I thought size was brushed on
Hi Giulio - it's a mixture of water and gelatin. Use 4-5 diamonds of gelatin (bakers gelatin) to 16 oz of water. Dissolve the gelatin in the warm water and you are ready to gild.
im trying to make this work on the outside back of some of my aquariams but none of it is working, what supplys are used, how dose it mirror up?what adhesive?
Hi, can you explain how you applied the numbers to your glass i.e. did you use a china graph pencil and sign writing paint or have i got this totally wrong? Fantastic video by the way and thanks for posting it.
From one gilder to another... Nice work! But why did you use full leaf of gold for half leaf letters? The way I get a half leaf of gold is to fold your top sheet back in half, and you can gently drag a curved exacto over the leaf, right at the edge of the fold in the top sheet. It's very light pressure that you need so you don't cut through the next top sheet. I also use my fingernail in the same manner, keeping my fingertip on top of the paper and my fingernail rides along the edge of the fold. I know gold's not too expensive, but if you use half sheets, you conserve your leaf and have some left to use on another job. The leaf begins to pay for itself when you only use half sheets.
Hi Charles - I do half leaves all the time, you can see it on the 9. Usually use a gilders knife. After gilding this style of "1" over 100 times, doing full sheets is best because the serifs that poke out. Sure you could do half or 3/4 leaves for the large stem of the 1 but you also have the serifs so it means you are patching those in. The best gilds usually have the least amount of leaves or patches on them. That and I lay full leaves pretty well and fast enough versus messing around trying to get little pieces in place. I don't need to origami everything into place. On top of that, I usually do these while they are at the house and I'm on a ladder, so that means doing everything really quickly and precisely. There's not even a book of gold in this one so what do I save? A few dollars? Rather have a really solid gild than say save $5.
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf Cool, I just saw like a whole half leaf sticking out and, I know my dad who taught me, he would have went gonzo if he saw me doing it. I had a hunch you might know what I was talking about, but my dad always told me, "There are no trade 'secrets' in the sign business." We all should share and pass along what we know because it keeps the art alive. I never used a gilder's knife and pallet. We always did it straight out of the book, fold after fold. It was fun to watch you. Thanks
Great video ! How do you initially mark your work on the glass before going to black paint? Also, do you varnish the back afterwards? Do you follow cleaning with just a blade?
You can draw the numbers on the front with a stabilo or grease pencil - you could also print out a piece of paper and tape it to the front as well. Pick up a copy of LeBlanc's Gold Leaf Techniques to learn more.
Nice numbers and cool video ! Do you use a mix of water and gelatine for the size ? What will happen if I use 1-Shot for the outlines ? Post more vids, I really like your stuff !
Hey thanks a lot glendizer! I used a mix of 4oz water to one gelatin diamond. Look up bakers gelatin on Amazon- try the "silver bloom" kind. One shot for outlines is asking for trouble. It dries really slow and is a bit soft... it can even lift when you float the water over the glass. I recommend letterhead Sign Supply Back Up Black for outlines. It dries in about a half hour and you can gild over it then. Will upload some more videos and such! They are in the works!
you don't need it in this instance. I only use it in high traffic locations like doors or in restaurants. Otherwise I use marine spar varnish like epifanes
Thanks ! I've just finished a reverse glass guilding work inside a restaurant (enamel as well) a part of the work can be easily reachable, was wondering how to prevent a catastrophy. I just saw your video on screen printing x silver leaf, it's so so neat !
Probably wouldn't last long even if it was sealed assuming you have marble counter tops. This stuff is incredibly thin. You'd need a 2part pourable table top resin to make it last
Hi Raul - in America we use 4-5 diamonds per pint of heated distilled water. You can purchase sheets of bakers gelatin at a grocery store or online. Not all are the same so do a little experimentation.
Hello Gentleman Scholar Signs, I am confused why the gold leaf will mirrors up when it dries. Is it because you use gelatin to glue? And, if the gold leaf are not applied in reverse (to gild on something out than glass), is it possible to get it mirror up? Thank You.
Hello, im just started to learn water gilding. When my gold leaf is dry. Only a bit of my gild become mirror look. The other is blurry with a bit crack pattern when i see it at close. What should i do? i already use distilled water and degrease the glass. Or its because i use imitation gold leaf?
Am i using to much gelatine when i wake up to a seethrough jar of jelly? :D (Me who uses the powder and not the diamonds, again). Does your water also stiffen over night as it cools?
2-3 diamonds per pint. If your using the powder, take a dime and scoop the gelatin out of the package so that there's a cone on top of the dime and use that for the mix.
amazing work =) quick question, I'm ready to buy Raymond leblanc book but which one there is like 4 different ones that come up on ebay. mostly older books but is there one in specific or are they all the same
Is that what you use for the sizing? Distilled water and gelatin? That goes on before the gold only where you want the leaf to go? Then you use it again wet to apply the leaf?
Hello there. I just have to ask about your mix of water. Is it only water and gelatine? If yes, what is proportional correct? I´m using gelatine powder if yes... Greetings from Denmark
Are you not able to get it in crystal form? I used it for the first time today, and oh boy the shine does come out.. I guess it´s the same thing basically but it truly works. Anyway, things a million for the inspiration. I allways wanted to mke thing top shine gold leaf and your video just shovd me over that edge so that you a million. And a happy new year to you! Greetings from M-
@@mortenhansen3455 i honestly don't know the ratio for powdered gelatin but it is probably only a very small amount. Good to know this got you inspired! Check out the full Paul McCartney album too
I already did hehe. Hella good working music! And i´ve got my first mirrord effect with gold already. The powder form works great, But we might have to go on the look out for colourdistortion since the powder is a little yellow. But my eyes can´t tell :-/
Hi Alex - I suggest you buy the book Gold Leaf Techniques by Raymond LeBlanc. Furthermore, I suggest you enroll in a workshop - Letterhead Sign Supply, Noel Weber, Dave Smith and Roderick Treece all teach workshops.
Your work is awesome! Question: How do you remove the gold outside of the black outline? Also, did you back this with anything? Is it possible to do gold leaf on glass without an outline?
Anna Hileman Hi Anna, yup answer your questions in order -water and cotton -back up paint -yes. you should look into taking a gold leaf workshop if you want to actually learn how to do this. You can't really learn much of it from RUclips to be honest. There's too many really important small details that if you goof on can ruin a piece
please stop this nonsense! :D I want to make a coffee table with glass top, is this the same method? or the leaf is covered with glass from both sides, meaning : they gild one side the glue 2nd piece of glass to prtect it? do you know... pleease? :)
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf It's RUclips, no one wants to see a how to video that doesn't show you how to. It's great that you can have payed courses too, special videos por Patreon supporters etc but make the content you choose to put on RUclips actually useful. Or don't of course, but that explains your subscribers and likes
Also because you answer all the basics in the comments, which makes no sense then. I just think it's a shame because your technique is amazing and you obviously wanted to share it on YT so it just seems like a missed opportunity.
Shamim Zadhe it's not easy to gild sand blasted glass in my experience. Use a clear varnish to cover the inside of the letters them proceed to gild with a water size as seen here or with an oil based size. Good luck
Thanks for posting this. I used to be a sign painter, and this brought back good memories, as well as refreshing me on the technique.
Would have been nice to see how all the excess was removed
That's in another video.
ruclips.net/video/egsUJ1OsLX0/видео.html
A couple of Uncles ( Sign Painters) of mine here in Louisiana (one of whom is retired) used to do this. Some of their lettering, decades old, is still there in numerous Government Buildings in Downtown Baton Rouge. It lasts a long time. Fascinating to watch but not so easy to learn.
Peter Duffield very cool! Those signs are national treasures and hopefully the tradition is carried on by the next generation.
I just started watching videos on this sorta thing. I’m lost though.. what’s the liquid he is putting on before the leaf? I thought size was brushed on
It’s gelatin mixed with water. This is water gilding.
Can't wait to see the other half of video on cleaning up the excess
Great video thanks for sharing !
Hi man! GREAT WORK! Can I make a question? Which kind of glue did you use for gold? Thanks for the advice... Hi from Italy ;-)
Hi Giulio - it's a mixture of water and gelatin. Use 4-5 diamonds of gelatin (bakers gelatin) to 16 oz of water. Dissolve the gelatin in the warm water and you are ready to gild.
Do you have any online courses or anything? Or accept apprenticeships?
Can someone please tell me what allows the gold leaf to stick and the unnecessary parts to come off so perfectly?
Good job! Excellent results.
Peter Duffield thanks Peter!
Hola 👋 me encantan tus trabajos ! Te quería consultar con qué quitas el excedente de papel oro para que no se despinten las letras ?
Cotton, a little bon ami and a little water.
how are you backing the gold up? do you use a stencil since you cant see through the gold? it has to be easier than im making it..
so.....how did you cut the gold away from the outline once it dried???
Scrubbed it off with cotton and water
Sir i want to know about your applied on glass is glue or it's just the water please let me know
Wow all the trim just magically disappeared . How about showing us how you removed that please
im trying to make this work on the outside back of some of my aquariams but none of it is working, what supplys are used, how dose it mirror up?what adhesive?
Usually a gelatin/h2o mix as the size(adhesive) which contracts while drying compressing the leaf against the glass, therefore mirroring up.
Hi, can you explain how you applied the numbers to your glass i.e. did you use a china graph pencil and sign writing paint or have i got this totally wrong? Fantastic video by the way and thanks for posting it.
sign writing paint. Nazdar gloss enamel to be exact
Gentleman Scholar Signs thank you for that
From one gilder to another... Nice work! But why did you use full leaf of gold for half leaf letters? The way I get a half leaf of gold is to fold your top sheet back in half, and you can gently drag a curved exacto over the leaf, right at the edge of the fold in the top sheet. It's very light pressure that you need so you don't cut through the next top sheet. I also use my fingernail in the same manner, keeping my fingertip on top of the paper and my fingernail rides along the edge of the fold. I know gold's not too expensive, but if you use half sheets, you conserve your leaf and have some left to use on another job. The leaf begins to pay for itself when you only use half sheets.
Hi Charles - I do half leaves all the time, you can see it on the 9. Usually use a gilders knife. After gilding this style of "1" over 100 times, doing full sheets is best because the serifs that poke out. Sure you could do half or 3/4 leaves for the large stem of the 1 but you also have the serifs so it means you are patching those in. The best gilds usually have the least amount of leaves or patches on them. That and I lay full leaves pretty well and fast enough versus messing around trying to get little pieces in place. I don't need to origami everything into place.
On top of that, I usually do these while they are at the house and I'm on a ladder, so that means doing everything really quickly and precisely. There's not even a book of gold in this one so what do I save? A few dollars? Rather have a really solid gild than say save $5.
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf Cool, I just saw like a whole half leaf sticking out and, I know my dad who taught me, he would have went gonzo if he saw me doing it. I had a hunch you might know what I was talking about, but my dad always told me, "There are no trade 'secrets' in the sign business." We all should share and pass along what we know because it keeps the art alive. I never used a gilder's knife and pallet. We always did it straight out of the book, fold after fold. It was fun to watch you. Thanks
Great video ! How do you initially mark your work on the glass before going to black paint? Also, do you varnish the back afterwards? Do you follow cleaning with just a blade?
You can draw the numbers on the front with a stabilo or grease pencil - you could also print out a piece of paper and tape it to the front as well. Pick up a copy of LeBlanc's Gold Leaf Techniques to learn more.
Nice numbers and cool video !
Do you use a mix of water and gelatine for the size ?
What will happen if I use 1-Shot for the outlines ?
Post more vids, I really like your stuff !
Hey thanks a lot glendizer! I used a mix of 4oz water to one gelatin diamond. Look up bakers gelatin on Amazon- try the "silver bloom" kind. One shot for outlines is asking for trouble. It dries really slow and is a bit soft... it can even lift when you float the water over the glass. I recommend letterhead Sign Supply Back Up Black for outlines. It dries in about a half hour and you can gild over it then.
Will upload some more videos and such! They are in the works!
Thanks a lot for your answer/advice ;)
One more question: What's the best varnish to use for a good/enduring protection on enamel or gold leaf ?
you don't need it in this instance. I only use it in high traffic locations like doors or in restaurants. Otherwise I use marine spar varnish like epifanes
Thanks !
I've just finished a reverse glass guilding work inside a restaurant (enamel as well) a part of the work can be easily reachable, was wondering how to prevent a catastrophy.
I just saw your video on screen printing x silver leaf, it's so so neat !
If I want to use imitation gold leaf on my kitchen counter, how should i seal it to make sure it holds up long term?
Probably wouldn't last long even if it was sealed assuming you have marble counter tops. This stuff is incredibly thin. You'd need a 2part pourable table top resin to make it last
wow .... excellent work, very beautiful, what is the proportion of water and jelly you occupy?
Hi Raul - in America we use 4-5 diamonds per pint of heated distilled water. You can purchase sheets of bakers gelatin at a grocery store or online. Not all are the same so do a little experimentation.
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf
Nice. What size did you use and was that imitation gold leaf?
That's real 23k gold leaf and it's called water size. You have to make it yourself.
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf Thank you.
Magnifique 😍 j’adore la technique et le résultat 👍🏻👍🏻 vous utilisez de l’eau pour coller la feuille?
Font name? Great job!
Hi Alejandro - this is actually not a font, it's custom. The numbers are based off of old numbers seen on Victorian transoms in San Francisco.
Nice job mate. What glue did you use on this?
It's called water size. It's a mixture of bakers gelatin and water
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf thanks for that.
Does the gold "polished" itself?
The water behind the leaf is drying out over time and revealing a mirrored finish
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf amazing. Thank you
Hello Gentleman Scholar Signs, I am confused why the gold leaf will mirrors up when it dries. Is it because you use gelatin to glue? And, if the gold leaf are not applied in reverse (to gild on something out than glass), is it possible to get it mirror up? Thank You.
Van Chung Chan gelatin and water is how it mirrors up.
the gelatin in the water causes it to shrink up against the glass when it dries..
Hello, im just started to learn water gilding. When my gold leaf is dry. Only a bit of my gild become mirror look. The other is blurry with a bit crack pattern when i see it at close. What should i do? i already use distilled water and degrease the glass. Or its because i use imitation gold leaf?
I have the same problem. Did you find a solution?
What water can this be. Stick gold foil
Google "water size formula"
Am i using to much gelatine when i wake up to a seethrough jar of jelly? :D (Me who uses the powder and not the diamonds, again). Does your water also stiffen over night as it cools?
2-3 diamonds per pint. If your using the powder, take a dime and scoop the gelatin out of the package so that there's a cone on top of the dime and use that for the mix.
amazing work =) quick question, I'm ready to buy Raymond leblanc book but which one there is like 4 different ones that come up on ebay. mostly older books but is there one in specific or are they all the same
Reyes Carrillo any will do. The most recent one is still out of date but will probably be the best
i didn't know Seth Rogan was so talented
great work! what is the name of this liquid material did you used for paste golden leaves on glass?
It's a mixture of distilled water and gelatin.
Is that what you use for the sizing? Distilled water and gelatin? That goes on before the gold only where you want the leaf to go? Then you use it again wet to apply the leaf?
Hello there. I just have to ask about your mix of water. Is it only water and gelatine? If yes, what is proportional correct? I´m using gelatine powder if yes... Greetings from Denmark
In America we use sheets of bakers gelatin. 4-5 diamonds per 16 oz/pint of warm distilled water.
Are you not able to get it in crystal form? I used it for the first time today, and oh boy the shine does come out.. I guess it´s the same thing basically but it truly works. Anyway, things a million for the inspiration. I allways wanted to mke thing top shine gold leaf and your video just shovd me over that edge so that you a million. And a happy new year to you! Greetings from M-
But hey anyway, what is 4-5 diamonds compaired to one spoon of crystal gelatine, do you know?
@@mortenhansen3455 i honestly don't know the ratio for powdered gelatin but it is probably only a very small amount. Good to know this got you inspired! Check out the full Paul McCartney album too
I already did hehe. Hella good working music! And i´ve got my first mirrord effect with gold already. The powder form works great, But we might have to go on the look out for colourdistortion since the powder is a little yellow. But my eyes can´t tell :-/
Thank you : )
when you paint the black, do you use reducer?
Yup
what is the hand tool you are using? sources?
you referring to the gilders tip? letterhead sign supply
Gentleman Scholar Signs thanks. i presume the act of running the comb through your hair is to statically charge the comb?
Chad Cooper not necessary. I just brush some petroleum jelly on the top of my hand then, rub it in, then gently pass over the tip to charge it.
I would appreciate it if was wondering how I can start doing this. what do I need or how I can even get close ???
Hi Alex - I suggest you buy the book Gold Leaf Techniques by Raymond LeBlanc. Furthermore, I suggest you enroll in a workshop - Letterhead Sign Supply, Noel Weber, Dave Smith and Roderick Treece all teach workshops.
Thanks I really appreciate it
Your work is awesome! Question: How do you remove the gold outside of the black outline? Also, did you back this with anything? Is it possible to do gold leaf on glass without an outline?
Anna Hileman Hi Anna, yup answer your questions in order
-water and cotton
-back up paint
-yes.
you should look into taking a gold leaf workshop if you want to actually learn how to do this. You can't really learn much of it from RUclips to be honest. There's too many really important small details that if you goof on can ruin a piece
There's also another video on my channel that shows removal with a brush too.
ruclips.net/video/tz6--0m92Nw/видео.html
Thanks so much for your feedback! If you could recommend anyone in the Denver area let me know.
Anna Hileman look up Dan Seese studio.
Thanks so much!
Nice but I’m feeling like we skipped a few steps…
Yup. This isn't a how to video.
where's the whole process man! ?..meh...
fikaso ohh so you want me to give away all the secrets?
please stop this nonsense! :D
I want to make a coffee table with glass top, is this the same method? or the leaf is covered with glass from both sides, meaning : they gild one side the glue 2nd piece of glass to prtect it? do you know... pleease? :)
fikaso that might work. we just use paint to protect the backside. you could use a varnish coat to protect the bc backside too
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf It's RUclips, no one wants to see a how to video that doesn't show you how to. It's great that you can have payed courses too, special videos por Patreon supporters etc but make the content you choose to put on RUclips actually useful. Or don't of course, but that explains your subscribers and likes
Also because you answer all the basics in the comments, which makes no sense then. I just think it's a shame because your technique is amazing and you obviously wanted to share it on YT so it just seems like a missed opportunity.
i have some work of glass jobs, text is sandblasted glass. please advice me. How can i Apply it
thanks
Hashem
UAE
Shamim Zadhe it's not easy to gild sand blasted glass in my experience. Use a clear varnish to cover the inside of the letters them proceed to gild with a water size as seen here or with an oil based size. Good luck
@@Gentlemanscholarsignssf
Would have watched it but the music was irritating
Lol try the mute button bud
I learned nothing about how to do gold leaf from this video. Waste of time.
😀😃😁😆😅🤣😂
Fake sharing. 🙃