Download: Gold Leaf, Paint & Glass

Download: Gold Leaf, Paint & Glass

Back into the studio, at last

After a whole year of other work, my first project in the studio is to make a reflective or mirror-like panel that is to be hung on the wall behind this mantel clock (1). I was given some recycled window glass 48 x 23 in/117x 59 cm.  I could envision the side panel (2) of pierced brass as engraved gold, and I could simulate the background in a translucent pink.
 

1. Clock, front

2. Clock, side 
The first thing is to make the design fit the glass. By chopping off the bottom set of scrolls it fits well, and I go on to square it up so I can enlarge the design to life size. (3)
(By the way, it is proving a nightmare to organize the pics and text so I shall just carry on with the commentary and hope it is clear. I shall have to learn how to do this.)

3. Squaring up the design

But he design of the pierced brass is degraded, that is to say it has been copied over and over with the result that all the detail has broken down. I study the back of the clock (4) which is engraved steel but the style of ornament there is quite different! It is earlier, rococo, when it was fashionable to turn classic acanthus ornament into forms such as waves and clouds. The two styles are miles apart.

I will have to go back to basics so I have more information and better understanding of what I am doing. To do this, I turned to the source, Michelangelo Pergolesi, c. 1780's, (5) and now attempt to marry all 3 styles.

4. Detail, back of clock

5. Pergolesi

6. Charcoal, first drawing

I make a start with charcoal (6). Then I trace this and carry on till I had the whole thing is drawn up (7). I transfer to the glass and tweak the drawing. (8). I ran out of black, which explains the red.

Next to do, draw the other half, all on the front of the glass (using tracing paper),, turn over, clean thoroughly and gild!

Removing window putty, nasty job.

7. Drawn onto tracing paper

8. One half is drawn out

More in part Two. 

Its been ages I know and if anybody has been missing these riveting bulletins, I must apologise.
Life is full, as for so many people, and though I do of course have stuff to say, you know, the fact is much of it can wait. None of it is that important, but here is a brief update.
First... see this review!

This is probably the most condensed (and refreshingly so), yet comprehensive book to date on gilded and painted glass. Concise and easy to read it mainly covers the most widely used cold process of gold and painted decoration on glass. Frances wastes no time in pointing out and clearing up the true meaning of the term Verre Eglomisé, now commonly used as a general title for any type of decoration applied to glass, but let’s not give too much away. This is all covered, including both cold and hot methods, in the opening paragraphs and under the Terminology section.

There are many old books from medieval manuscripts to un-translated documentation, so this book is very welcomed. There has been a long gap in the market for gilded glass, but now the art of glass decoration is enjoying such a revival, and with so many new and varied designs, this couldn’t really be better timed.

The book moves from techniques (ancient to modern day) to origins and the development of glass decoration throughout the world. Fabulous examples of historic and important pieces are illustrated, each with a brief description of techniques and materials used. Some of these examples show a real diversity in design and methods used.

The step by step approach for the entire gilding process is also explained and shown in great detail, covering initial design process for geometric and free hand patterns, the process of laying the leaf, engraving and colouring. Recipes, materials & tools, suppliers and useful references to websites make it easy for even a complete beginner or an amateur who has never laid a single leaf, but may wish to try their hand.

Even for the professional there is nothing comparable to this book. It is up to date, an excellent concise reference manual with a wealth of useful information, in essence it is a book that can teach even the most experienced restorer or gilder something new. Dominic Schuster for BAFRA  28.10.12

And these also came in:

….This book brings together the results of years of research by the author... time-tested arcane formulae have been thoroughly modernized; intricate order-sensitive processes are thoroughly explained. Anyone practicing today has to get many things 'right' if they expect their work to last really long-term: that is why this book is so very important.     William Gudenrath, Resident Advisor at The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass, NY, USA

I enjoyed the book enormously, and thought it very clear, practical and informative.   Karen Lawrence, glass artist, London

I started reading your book and I think that it is great...  it contains amazing amounts of information and yet it doesn't beat about the bush.                                                        Nina Binnington, mirror specialist, Germany

...I have now read four times, ever more slowly and with increasing understanding of the variables. Your experience and comments about what can be laid on top of what have in particular been very handy indeed for working out some potential snags ....I do so agree about repeating basic instructions in each separate context - from the reader's point of view, this is a blessing. Not to have to dash back and forth to re-establish an idea from a previous chapter, keeping a thumb in the page, is genuinely sensible....Thank you for making me even more determined to crack on with one of my better design brainwaves...  One thing I would add - I find that I have put pencil marks all over the pages to remind me of small important details in the text. For me, that is clear proof that this is a book to learn from and work with, not just to gawp at. Raised NEVER to scribble in books (oh the shame!) I now find that I do scribble, but only in the genuinely useful workaday ones....Richard Byrne, UK

It's a work of gilded art! This book will encourage and teach students for years to come. David Smith, ornamental glass artist, UK

I want to say how much I am enjoying the book! Its such a fantastic resource and so inspiring - a real gift to the glass world. Lucy Batt, glass artist, UK.                                                                        

... after so much time, research and careful thought, it is truly an inspiration. I am very keen to explore this use of gold and colour in what I hope eventually will be my own personal expression...  Christopher Ainslie, glass engraver, UK

I just got the book in the post. It's lovely! Really well done, so easy to follow and beautifully illustrated. Lynne Rutter, decorative artist, San Francisco, USA.                                                                                                                

Such a handsome book, and so filled with fascinating photos and text. It is beautifully organized, and will provide many worthwhile hours for readers of all levels. Congratulations, and thank you from all of us in the gilding community. Ina and Allen Marx, conservators and decorative artists, USA

The sales of the DVDs are slower, but will continue to dribble on, I am sure. So far no news on a US distributor as I have had no time to hunt for one!

Finally I am slowly getting back into working in the studio. I have various projects to do and the prospect of drawing and gilding again after a year or more is exciting.  But work is frequently interrupted as caring for very frail parents (we live together, did I say?) takes priority and other family stuff can also happen. As you, dear reader, surely know. At least I am not working to deadline. Putting myself into that position would be stupid (as long as I can control it). I don't deal well with stress.

All the best, f   

admin is a headache

They arrived and the house is full of dvds and books and packing stuff and address lists and more lists.
I managed to send off a bunch of books to people who already had them....  but apart from that it is sort of settling down. It was frankly crazy trying to keep in order who had paid, ordered, received, not received, was waiting......  people have whole departments for that stuff! (and still make mistakes).
ANYWAY, all is good. The book is being very well receievd, and tough I have not sen any of the reviews I have asked for from various groups such as Society of Gilders, BAFRA (British Antique Restorers Assoc.), etc, I have been getting in positive responses.
Here they are:

I started reading your book and I think that it is great – it contains amazing amounts of information and yet it doesn’t beat about the bush. Well done, congratulations!

Nina Binnington, mirror specialist

… Have now read four times, ever more slowly and with increasing understanding of the variables.  Your experience and comments about what can be laid on top of what have in particular been very handy indeed for working out some potential snags ….I do so agree about repeating basic instructions in each separate context - from the reader's point of view, this is a blessing.  Not to have to dash back and forth to re-establish an idea from a previous chapter, keeping a thumb in the page, is genuinely sensible….Thank you for making me even more determined to crack on with … one of my better design brainwaves… 

One thing I would add - I find that I have put pencil marks all over the pages to remind me of small important details in the text.  For me, that is clear proof that this is a book to learn from and work with, not just to gawp at.  Raised NEVER to scribble in books (oh the shame!) I now find that I do scribble, but only in the genuinely useful workaday ones…. 

Richard Byrne

“It’s a work of gilded art!  This book will encourage and teach students for years to come.” David Smith, ornamental glass artist

  

…I want to say how much I am enjoying the book!  Its such a fantastic resource and so inspiring - a real gift to the glass world.” 

Lucy Batt, glass artist

“… after so much time, research and careful thought, it is truly an inspiration. I am very keen to explore this use of gold and colour in what I hope eventually will be my own personal expression”. 

Christopher Ainslie, glass engraver.

I just got the book in the post. It's lovely!  Really well done, so easy to follow and beautifully illustrated.

 Lynne Rutter, decorative artist, San Francisco

Such a handsome book, and so filled with fascinating photos and text.  It is beautifully

organized, and will provide many worthwhile hours for readers of all levels.   

Congratulations, and thank you from all of us in the gilding community.

Ina and Allen Marx, conservators and decorative artists

So there we are. More soon, f

where is our dvd?

Apparently there was a glitch in its production and 'they' are ironing it out. With the different systems for USA and the rest of the world, it is a complex business and many things can go wrong. After all, it has to work properly!
But it is really frustrating to have clients cry, "where, pray, is my dvd?"
So, where are we up to? Once it is done and ready I can get them off, but also can announce the LAUNCH.
On the website now, www.gilding.net, is a page with a chance to buy:
the pdf, £10
the book, £19.99
the dvd, £15.55, or a combination!  There is a cute Google button to hit to actually BUY.

I have been around the place to sell the books, and the good news is Foyles is taking it, and the very good independent bookshop in South Kensington. I had not expected to get them in there, non specialist shops, but there you go. I have more confidence now and will try other outlets.
There has been no time to attend to the US market. I need a book distributor for that so that will take a while to organize.

Apart from the book life is full on with buying a property to let (I have been to landlord classes to learn how to do it properly!) and with looking after my aged parents in whose house we live and which we are slowly developing.

Work.... ah yes, some of it going on but I am not able to do much. However, these events are coming up, each of which I shall be giving an illustrated talk:

1st.  Conference on Hinterglasmalerei, Augsburg, Germany, Fri/Sat 5/6 October.
2nd.  Just Glass conference, Saturday, 20 October 2012, Venue: Brockway Room, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London WC1 4RL. Time: 10.30am-4.30pm.
3rd. Day long class at West Dean College, W. Sussex, Gift Day, November 13
2 day class, Lommel, Belgium, 24/25 October
5 day class West Dean, 15-22 Feb 2013.

More soon, f

Getting the book into the world

I am getting a couple of rejections, which is interesting.
The V&A and the BM (British Museum) have declined it.... not very sure why, I have to read their emails more carefully. Anyone who has had rejection slips may be like me... a quick scan to see and to grasp the meaning, then put it away in a drawer, and get over it. Never mind the detail.
The dvd is on its way out (through the birthing canal and all that entails) and now I have to find out, somehow, who has paid and is due one. Some will have had a book already, and some books are waiting to be mailed along with the dvd.... but which and who?
Once the backlog is cleared I should be able to handle the orders as they come in.
I have been going around London on my motorbike (which my friend Bridget always insists is a moped.... but its not) delivering and hustling.
I dropped into Foyles (I had been told they were very good for writers) and found the buyer, and presented, and lo, she took 3. Reading the bumph she handed me it stated on NO account just drop in to see a buyer: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.  Sorry.
So there are many more locations to try.... bookshops are on my list as I am encouraged by the South Kensington independent bookshop also taking 3 (sale or return). But I feel a bit wary of museums. I think they are put off by the How To section, but I really dont know.
And then I was sent the encyclopedia (a long list) of book distributors in the US , which I have to carefully sift.  That enormous market has to be tackled soon.   I had thought of organizing a trip to take in several locations, carrying the books.  But they are so heavy, it seems a bit daft. The finances can't possibly work out. How many would I have to sell to only break even? Forget it.
So today I work in the office to catch up with it all before the dvds actually arrive. Once that is due to happen I need friend Simon to help me with getting it all online, with the ebook, the PayPal button and all officially launched.
Cheerio, and do drop me a line if you want to join in with any ideas!  f

Getting it out

It has been an extraordinary time.
Loads of orders for the books, so I take the payments and wait for the first batch to arrive. (Not exactly waiting, as if there isn't enough to do). Some pay with PayPal, (not as easy a system as I first thought) some with cheque, some want book only, some want the dvd too....  I am keeping a list, but once I realised I was billing some people twice I saw I was losing control.  I have go myself into some deep doodoo here, up to my neck.
With the help of my longtime associate we (she) made a spreadsheet and we had to enter EVERYBODY; paid or not; sent or not; dvd or not..... for a regular business this is normal, but not for me.
I have just returned from the Post Office where I sent off over 120 books in individual packs or in multiples, up to 40, all over.     I think the book is going to do quite well, and the dvd too, so now I am over the HUMP and can deal with orders as they come in.
Order for the next 200 lot has been placed.   It will settle down, but you can imagine it is a bit full on.
But the video is very jolly and I always smile when it plays. I hope it spreads quickly. (on You tube and on my first page of gilding.net)
Very best to all. f