A gilding tutorial, using shell gold - with Jeea Mirza

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no extra cost to you.
A simple step by step tutorial to show some of the processes and techniques involved when creating illuminated manuscripts. These techniques are used in both medieval and Islamic manuscript illuminations.
For more information and tutorials about art supplies, tools, equipment and other resources please visit my website at www.jeeamirza.com
For additional information about this tutorial please check the Q&A on the accompanying blog post on my website
www.jeeamirza.com/blog/2018/2...
Links to supplies:
1. Walnut ink: amzn.to/2RD6ntQ
2. Brush - size 000: amzn.to/2uciy93
3. Paper - Arches Hot press block: amzn.to/2NDa7KT

[@jdemaestri4300]

Thank you very much,this is extremely helpful and well done video! I look forward to seeing more of your gilding techniques.

[@JeeaMirza]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annickmorin5796]

Thanck you so much, Jeea, for this Gold painting, and for your lovely pattern. Also, i like you take your time !

[@lgude]

Watched before I sat down to apply my first shell gold. In my case to etched glass, but now I know the process and why I should use pure water and glasses for burnishing! Excellent.

[@barneylamar4380]

Thank you so very much for your thorough and outstanding presentation. It provides an excellent description of the process and should be invaluable to anyone learning how to use shell gold.

[@JeeaMirza]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nazirabibi3233]

Excellent, thorough and detailed walkthrough of the entire process. Awesome sauce! x

[@JeeaMirza]

thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@101mosioatunya]

What a very clear and helpful video. Thank you so much for posting it. I usually water gild onto gesso panels so this technique of using shell gold on watercolour paper is very interesting to me. Particularly helpful is the technique of burnishing the paper which is a really new one to me. The second really interesting tip is the burnishing of the gold through glassine paper.

[@JeeaMirza]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lesleydavies39]

Jeez, that was brilliant (literally!) and so so useful! Thank you for taking the time to show the whole process so clearly!

[@JeeaMirza]

Lesley Davies thanks Lesley!! So glad you found it helpful!

[@labany7421]

Thank you very much for sharing your technique .. It is very helpful ... I really appreciate it. To the point and very professional. Well done and thank you again.

[@mollyhillstrom1388]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge...this is a very thorough tutorial and it is much appreciated ❤️

[@JeeaMirza]

My pleasure - glad you found it helpful!

[@zeldabee]

Thank you! Now I just have to gather the courage to actually use the gold I have. Very much appreciated!

[@JeeaMirza]

zelda beth o. Totally understand how you feel, but my advice is to try to use it on a small project, so you feel less intimidated 🙂

[@tonyennis1787]

I didn't know this existed. Thanks!

[@anangrymarine9174]

This is absolutely amazing! A half-trained ape would make a better painter than me, but this trick will spruce my calligraphy right up!

[@bumblebee3358]

This was very interesting, thank you!

[@leontovitsch]

Excellent demo! Thank You!

[@joebalabuszko8863]

Great short tutorial using shell gold. I have had a pellet of shell gold for years, never got around to using it.You have prompted me to find it in my tons of art supplies. My job till retiring was as a journeyman sign painter in Chicago, USA. Much of my work was gold leaf work, first and second surface. The first surface work was all mordant [ oil size ] , a very enjoyable way to make a living. Thanks again for such a precise, and clear tutorial.

[@penandinksketchanddraw]

excellent tutorial - thank you!

[@veroniquejeannedemarbre5630]

Many thanks for sharing this interesting technique.The result is very fine and It offers a lot of possiblities of artístic creation.

[@JeeaMirza]

You are very welcome

[@susandobrian4405]

Fabulous, Jeea!!!

[@JeeaMirza]

Susan Dobrian glad you found it helpful Susan xx

[@bebeveritas7306]

Very good and helpful video, thanks!

[@ellenniemann3611]

Very helpful - thanks!

[@mspelleri]

Beautiful!

[@Mike-rt4mh]

What an excellent video - thank you so much.

[@JeeaMirza]

You're very welcome!

[@jadwigakowalska893]

Thank you!

[@Cyriljayant]

Nice video and thank you.

[@susanmitchell4744]

I would it inadvisable to touch your paper with your hands as this transfers oils to the surface?

[@wendywhitter2768]

Hi, will the shell gold work on vellum , and would the metal tool tool that I have for working on the vellum that's the same shape as your burnisher work to save buying another tool. I must try this type of gilding on my cards. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@lindamclean8809]

Thankyou very much. Very good

[@steveatch]

I am looking for a way to apply 23.75 kt shell powder to raised surfaces made of painted on acrylic gel on paper. The gel dries clear as glass, and I'm sure could be made receptive, and I'm a bit stumped for this art project. Any medium for the gold must stick to acrylic, and allow for burnishing once dry. Any ideas from you tech mavens?

[@salvistoscano]

great video, thank you.

[@JeeaMirza]

Glad you liked it!

[@TheHennaRealm]

This was VERY informative! Do you go over the inked lines again afterwards?

[@JeeaMirza]

I wouldn't re-ink the outlines in this style of painting (which is called "negatif") - but in other styles it is normal to outline in black

[@sniperrana]

please teach us more regarding gold painting techniques .... Jazak Allah

[@judygallucci-grow457]

Wonderful instructions, very detailed and easily understood. Thank you, would like a materials listing including online addresses if possible.

[@JeeaMirza]

Judy Gallucci-grow Hi Judy, thanks for commenting and apologies for the late reply! Will do my best to add info on supplies in future videos- for now please have a look at my website, as I have a general art supply shopping section which may help

[@patytrico]

Thank you for showing me a new technique :)

[@JeeaMirza]

:-) Your're welcome

[@helensydenham65]

Brilliant and thank you for sharing. Where did you get burnish come from? I would like to buy it. Thanks.

[@JeeaMirza]

Burnishers are available from any art supply retailer that sells gilding supplies. I list several of these on my website www.jeeamirza.com/equipment-materials I personally bought my burnishers from Cornellisen's www.cornelissen.com/water-colour/burnishers.html Hope this helps!

[@101mosioatunya]

I've been looking at buying glassine paper and it is quite expensive. Is there any reason that greaseproof paper couldn't be used instead as it is much cheaper?

[@JeeaMirza]

Hi - not sure about prices, I bought quite a lot a few years back from Jacksons Art Supplies in the UK and so not bought again. If you are struggling, suggest you burnish through a piece of fine tissue paper. I have used that before and get equally good results.

[@bastoubach]

Very helpful, thank you! :)

[@JeeaMirza]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@lvbailey1]

❣️Thank You❣️

[@JeeaMirza]

Thank you so much!

[@RaquyDanziger]

This is awesome!!!! Thanks! Question: I have some shell gold I was told I need to put gelatin, but I’m vegan… would gum Arabic make a good substitute?

[@JeeaMirza]

Yes, absolutely - essentially the gelatine or gum arabic act as the binder which adheres the fine gold particles to the paper. Caution is needed though as you only need the smallest amount of gum arabic - too much and your gold will not shine. If that happens you can wash the gold out to remove the excess gum

[@gorway7]

Thankyou, I have been looking for information on applying shell gold for some time now and particular the burnishing process - You have covered everything I needed here excellently. Do you have any experience of Handover shell gold from Jacksons? or can you recommend a brand in the UK? I am looking for only a small amount for piece I'm planning. I have used synthetic Kremer Irodin 320 gold watercolour paint which is ok, but I'm looking for a more polished look in this piece.

[@JeeaMirza]

Hi Peter - firstly thanks for the feedback.I'm afraid I haven't used the shell gold from Handover so couldn't comment. But if it is anything like the pre-made stuff from Cornellisens it may have too much gum arabic in it - if you find it doesn't attain a good degree of shine, give the gold a wash (I talk about this more on my website in the original blog post that accompanied this tutorial)

[@rakhshindaharis]

Great tutorial love it , I want to ask two questions? Can we do shell gold painting on white paper? Is it necessary to do tea stain or corn starch layers on paper first before applying gold?

[@ilonakrause2308]

Thanks for the wonderful tutorial! I have another question: What object is used to smooth the paper in preparation for transferring the motif?

[@JeeaMirza]

Hi Ilona you can use a paper burnisher or a cowrie shell - anything which is essentially smooth and hard will work!

[@ilonakrause2308]

@@JeeaMirza Thanks and a happy new year!

[@saimasyed7317]

Please tell me what is this tracing paper.

[@marywhittemore8424]

I have not found this shell gold in the US. Could you recommend a merchant that carries this product in the UK.Thank youMary T

[@JeeaMirza]

Hi Mary - powdered gold can be purchased from Cornelissen's in the UK (there may well be other sources but this is the one my teacher uses I believe) www.cornelissen.com/water-colour/genuine-gold-and-silver-powder.html

[@shhhhlemon4936]

Thanks! 😀

[@JeeaMirza]

Huzaifa Memon so glad you enjoyed it!

[@katherinestevens6711]

You said to use mineral water with the gold. What is the difference between using distilled water and mineral water? Can I use distilled? Thank you for the great instruction. I enjoyed it, and now I'm ready to try it!

[@JeeaMirza]

actually I think it is better to use distilled water - but mineral water is easier for me to get hold of. Essentially you want water that is super clean and free of impurities

[@ttk8092]

What paints ur using I don't get

[@Asad_Ahsani]

Can you please tell me from where I'll get that gold powder?

[@JeeaMirza]

I believe you can purchase gold powder from Cornelissen's in London.

[@Asad_Ahsani]

@@JeeaMirza but i live in india

[@crystalartbyasiya]

whats this glass tip pen called? is it burnisher?

[@JeeaMirza]

yes its a burnisher

[@AshQ12]

is this gold a particlar tint? which no brush do u use?

[@JeeaMirza]

not sure about the tint - probably 23 or 24 karat, and I use a Winsor & Newton Series 7 brush, size 000

[@thecheshirecrafter4522]

Again a really helpful tutorial. Do you mind if I ask 2 questions? - If adding gold to a watercolour painting, would you paint first then add the gold? - I think you said the burnishing tool was agate. Can any other crystal or gem be used? Many thanks, Maggie.

[@JeeaMirza]

Hi Sorry for the slow reply.... I typically gild first then paint (because that's hww it was done traditionally) this is particularly important if you are using gold leaf. (Because it will adhere to everything including your dry paint) If using shell gold (as in this video) you have a bit more flexibility as you have a lot of control over where the gold is applied. So really it is up to you :-) point 2: The tool i was using was an agate burnisher, but it is possible to use other hard / smooth gems or even the bottom of a round glass to burnish. Cowrie shells are also really good for burnishing as they have a smooth round edge and fit nicely in the hand (and very cheap to get hold of) hope this helps!

[@dhansheree2003]

Hi Jeep, what ink are you using to outline the pattern?

[@labany7421]

I think she said walnut ink ... I found this random tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmOaqJSiechse5o

[@JeeaMirza]

Yes - I used a walnut ink (available from most good art shops)

[@DandelionCottageDesign]

Why do you use mineral water vs. distilled water? TUFS

[@JeeaMirza]

I can't get hold of distilled water easily - so use mineral water over tap water as it has fewer impurities in it

[@sajidalashkarwala9728]

Which gold powder is this can you plz tell in detail thanks

[@JeeaMirza]

Hi Sajida, Afraid I don't know the exact composition as this was made by someone else. I can tell you the gold powder probably was bought from a shop called Cornellisen's in London. (there are links to the shop on my website) and if you take a look at their gold powders you can choose a colour that you like for yourself. :-)

[@Lovelife90900]

Can you please tell me the materials used for making this shell gold. Kindly. Regards

[@JeeaMirza]

It was made using gold powder and gum arabic

[@AC-cg3bv]

It would be great to have a list of materials used in the description rather than having to hunt. Great tutorial though. Thanks 😊

[@AshQ12]

Did u use ink to outline?

[@JeeaMirza]

only the initial transferred image.

[@privatecitizen1246]

@@JeeaMirza you said it was "walnut" - is that a walnut dye, like gall nut dye we use for fabric?

[@heiditales4834]

❤❤❤❤

[@AlexanderGonzalez-hl8kx]

Would you be so kind to do an Islamic Calligraphy piece of your choice?

[@JeeaMirza]

I'm afraid I am not a calligrapher - that is a very different skill set and takes many years of training :-)

[@heatherkulak8633]

Hi I made my gold powder but I’m having difficulty getting info on how much gum Arabic to water and gold powder to make my paint burnishable Ie i washed my gold four times so no gum Arabic is in the powder

[@JeeaMirza]

Heather Kulak Hi Heather- how much gold powder did you use? We actually want to leave some gum Arabic in the gold (not wash it all out) as that is what binds / adheres the gold to the paper. Depending on how much gold you have I would add several drops of gum Arabic solution and paint a small swatch. Let the gold dry and once fully dry, rub it to see if any comes away on your finger. If it does come away add another drop or two and test again. If it doesn’t come off try and burnish and see how well it shines... if results are dull you added too much gum... hope that helps.

[@etm567]

Why on Earth would you use mineral water? It's full of minerals.

[@gulshanlakhoojewelery2770]

Cannot hear you well

[@owowotsthis11]

Uhm