Dates & Time: Thursday & Friday, October 23 & 24, 10am-3pm each day
Location: LeQuire Gallery
4304 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
Instructors: Mitchell & Micki Cavanah
Class Description: This class will explore the various methods of working with genuine gold leaf as well as metal leaf on art panels and paper. Students will learn to create stunning gilded backgrounds or add gilded embellishments to artwork. The creative possibilities are endless!
In this intensive hands on 2-day workshop, you’ll gain comprehensive skills in leaf handling and application, exploring a variety of materials and methods of applying leaf. We will use a variety of leaf starting with composition/metal leaf, variegated leaf, and of course genuine 22karat gold leaf. We’ll cover loose and transfer leaf applications, water-based and oil-based size (adhesives), and the Kolner Instacol method, which produces a highly burnished gilded finish. We’ll cover the process of sealing finished gilded surfaces and creating a paintable surface on gilded backgrounds using isolating sealers.
Students will receive printed basic instructions for each process, and we encourage you to bring a notebook to take your own notes.
Materials and tools: The following materials kit will be included for use in class: Metal leaf (gold and aluminum), variegated leaf, oil base size, water base size, Kolner Instacol starter set, gilders knife, gilders pad, gilders tip (brush), size brush, skewing mop, and a variety of sealers to test.
Students are required to bring the following materials with them:
- 1 book 22 or 23K loose gold leaf, 1 book 22or 23K transfer/patent leaf. Genuine silver leaf optional.
- Watercolor paper, hot or cold press at least 140lb. or heavier. 3 or 4 pieces 8” x 10” minimum.
- 8” x 10” gesso boards, or primed canvas panels, or both: whatever you like to work with. Bring 3 or 4 panels.
- Glass jar with top for solvents
- 2 – 1” wide brushes, one for oil base, one for water base
- And a variety of artist detail brushes of your choice.
Books of gold and silver leaf will be available for purchase during the class.
Gold leaf is available for purchase in advance at: W&B Gold Leaf wbgoldleaf.com or 920.459.8206
Registration Fee:
SOG Members: $645.00
Non-members: $695.00
Register at Society of Gilders site: https://societyofgilders.org/events/gildingforartists2025/
About the Instructors: Micki & Mitchell Cavanah have a long history in the gilding arts as second-generation gilders they have 30 plus years of experience with a variety of gilding applications. They are long-time members of The Society of Gilders, of which Micki has previously served as Vice-President and currently serves on the board of trustees. Their work can be seen all around Nashville and the Southeast. For more information and to see more of their work, visit them at ReedsGoldLeaf.com
Feel free to contact them with any questions you may have at info@reedsgoldleaf.com
