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I would like to try doing some variegated gold leaf but I am not sure which golds to use. I was thinking 23k, lemon gold, and red gold. Would these work and are there any special techniques when doing the var. leaf. Thanks, Andy Stroh ACS Graphics
-------------------- andy stroh acs graphics fremont, in Posts: 12 | From: fremont, in | Registered: Feb 2002
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Oh...Andy! You are going about this one all wrong! You buy Varigated leaf in books, usually about 5" square. It is actually copper leaf (or partially copper) that has changed in color in a varigated pattern. There are quite a few hues of the product, usually leaning towards red, or green, or even blue. It is much thicker than real gold leaf--slightly thinner than foil. Not all of it is created equal, as some I have owned looked like dutch metal with a splatter of color in the center. Others were nicely varigated across the entire sheet. Try contacting Rick Glawson at Esoteric Sign Supply. I believe Inez Sepp also sells it.
You are going to want to experiment with this product before selling a job with it.
Good luck, Mike Jackson
-------------------- Mike Jackson Golden Era Studios Jackson Hole, Wy www.goldenstudios.com/ Posts: 390 | From: PO Box 7850 | Registered: Nov 1998
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Mike's right. Variegated is thick, like copper or aluminum, and you can't water-gild it. it's fine for oil gilding on glass or surface, but do't let your size set up too much, it needs a fairly strong tack.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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unlike real gold leaf...veriegated sheets can actually be handled with your fingertips. small scraps can be picked up and used for patches...dont worry about extra joints...the color variations will hide and seams you end up with.. after you have covered all your size with desired leaf....lay a piece of rouge paper taken from the book,over the leaf and rub briskly with your fingertips.This presses the leaf into size.After setting the leaf..I like to break off excess material with a watersize brush.If you have any skips this method will leave pieces big enough to use for patching.next burnish with authority to get rid of ridges on the seams. I use fast size for vereigated..and as Cam says...get on it while its still quite sticky. I never tested variegated leaf for outdoor use,but have read that it is not suitable for long term exterior application.Also remember learning to clear coat when job is complete. Good item for race cars!
[ August 18, 2002, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: Michael Boone ]
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