Gilding with Instacoll for Calligraphers

Here is a video about gilding with Instacoll, done for calligraphers. It will take you through the process step-by-step from the beginning to end. Hope it helps in your calligraphic or illumination endeavors. You can check out my online calligraphy and illumination classes at www.acornartsclasses.org Private online lessons are offered. Enjoy!

[@101mosioatunya]

This is one of the most lucid and comprehensive descriptions of gilding for calligraphy that I have come across. Thank you so much for the time and trouble you have taken to post it. I have taken copious notes and I am sure I will watch this video again and again :-)

[@buiguesa]

Thank you so much for this teaching. It's priceless. Greetings from Valencia, Spain.

[@ShawnHoefer]

I'm not using Instacoll, but the explanation of methods was likely the best I've seen, and helped me make a breakthrough. Thanks!

[@lisajarvis3820]

I have been looking for a video of this for years ~ finally ~ THANK YOU SO MUCH ~ VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

[@TatyanaValdaBelindaHill]

This is the best video on the subject. Thank you so much for posting it (also the introduction to Instacoll).

[@alexandraharris1483]

Hi Harvest! I’m just starting to gild my first project on calfskin Vellum, and was quite nervous, wishing you could review for me everything you have taught at the workshops and praise the Lord. I found this, KZbin! Thank you so much!

[@thecheshirecrafter4522]

One of the best tutorials I have seen. You're so thorough and your finished items are both perfect and stunning. Thanks.

[@katanakhip]

One thing I would've wished you would address is at the end, how to deal with the jagged edges. Yes the tutorial was comprehensive and I do thank you for that. This is the main purpose of KZbin for me, learning. Thank you again for this wonderful video

[@acornartscalligraphystudio7510]

If there are jagged edges, you use a soft brush or Q tip to brush them away. Is that what you mean?

[@johnedwards486]

Thank you for such a descriptive video, a really informative video.

[@helensydenham65]

Brilliant teacher taught me how use the right way. I love it. Thank you for sharing.

[@maryannhartzell2958]

Excellent teacher from a teacher.

[@veroniquejeannedemarbre5630]

Thank you very much for this serie of videos that explains so well this technique. I appreciate very much because I could discover something interesting (the "wet on wet") that will help me to do better un the future.

[@101mosioatunya]

Just thought I would add that the method of transferring loose gold to a sheet of acetate is ACE. I do water gilding onto gesso panel and use loose gold for large areas of coverage using a gilder's cushion, knife and tip. This acetate method would make things so much easier. I've come across the transferance of loose gold to wax paper before but have never tried it but I think I'll give that a miss and cut straight to the acetate. Again, thank you so much for your painstaking and detailed instruction; I've found that the very best artists I have worked with are generous with their skill and learning and you fit that bill to a "T" :-)

[@r.mercado9737]

I like your disclaimer. Also, your gracious demeanor! Thank you for sharing this vital information with us, your audience. Semper Fi

[@JJLewis-so1iq]

What an amazing lesson! Thank you for the details!

[@reneejorgensen4136]

Such valuable information! With practice I look forward to adding gold leaf touches to my work. Thank you Harvest!

[@aokrongly]

Thank you for this very generous video. I have chosen illumination as my art focus. The details in this video are so helpful.

[@naticristellavi8236]

I always wondered how professionals did it. Thank you so very much for this excellent video. I am new at this type of work, it is wonderful to learn how to do things the right way from the begining. Looking forward to more great tutorials.

[@tamarastoneburner3984]

This is a most excellent and thorough video. Perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Thank you, Harvest!

[@aehcafe4931]

Tamara Stoneburner good

[@brennap3310]

Thank you so much, this was very helpful and pleasant to watch!

[@madarasz1910]

Harvest... thank you so very much for such an outstanding video! Very well and most helpful!!! Thanks again!!! Don

[@shahriarir]

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial. The little tips were invaluable and the instructions were clear, concise, and wonderfully helpful.

[@saronrichards3070]

Thank you so much for this video. I always wondered how to do this.

[@carloshaun7297]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@donnarutgersart9521]

I loved this video. It helped me so much to complete my first gilding project and I tagged your video into the comments of mine. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. Kind regards Donna

[@DeeCartwright]

WOW, Thank you. how clear and simple and helpful. Wonderful. Dee

[@daliaklein1212]

Thank you so much. Wonderful video on the subject.

[@bruceosborne1892]

Very interesting to see the process and skill involved.

[@Creative.Dream.Studios]

Love all your videos! I am so glad I found you channel. I am just starting and am still very lost but am loving your tutorials!

[@kellieshepherdmoeller]

Thank you for this excellent video...looking forward to more! I appreciate your insight into the tools and where to purchase materials too.

[@metaphysicalArtist]

Excellent presentation

[@marshascott50]

Thanks! I learned so much! Your video is great.

[@MrAngeloDy]

Very interesting and helpful, thank you so much)

[@user-fy9qz6gq5x]

Thank you very much!!

[@MrPollywalnuts]

Thanks for the video....Just received most of the items you use from Amazon. :)

[@xxkarazxx]

Very helpful, thank you ♡

[@Nendo.Design]

thank you so much for this video. It helped me so much on my way. I hope youl'll do another one. Thank you again

[@sysphotography]

Perfection. Thanks you

[@InfinitaGioiaPatCHesall]

Very thank you for your sharing

[@TheFutureLooksGrimm]

thanks so much for this it was very helpful

[@LisabettaMedaglia]

I use Instacoll and Miniatum for my illuminations, but I also use Patent/Transfer Gold, and I'd been wondering if there were actual visual differences were between the two golds. Looseleaf gold has always intimidated me, but after watching this, placing the loose gold on the Acetate, it looks much easier to handle! I kinda want to try that, especially if loose gold has a more brilliant shine to it than transfer gold (I just love the mirror finish of gold once it's been applied and polished!) Rather than using a Q-tip, I use cotton balls to polish and buff my gold, which I'm sure is similar to using the Q-tip. And, now I know too, about the brush as well. I have never used a damp brush for applying the Instacoll, but I have a dedicated brush just for it...but it's exactly as you say - after a while, sometimes I get little bits in my Instacoll piece, and I guess that's why sometimes the dried instacoll gets a little "texture" here and there that I don't notice until after it's been applied and dried. Guess I'll need to get a new brush for it, and try it with the damp bristles, to see if that approves, since I've heard that Instacoll and Miniatum aren't mediums that you can burnish to get a smoother texture. Thank you for this! :)

[@gregmiller8293]

Wonderful tutorial....thank you.

[@labany7421]

Thank you very much for sharing .. Very helpful

[@lisajarvis3820]

Subscribed Too!!

[@60lyramor]

Thank you very much to show us this beutiful work. Can you tell us how do you use the powder gold?. saludos

[@rafaelzucato-atelierkenosi8390]

Can I use imitation gold? If not so, is there a way to get a mirror like surface with imitation gold?

[@CoxJoxSox]

You seem like a kind heart - thanks for posting :D

[@pumpkintown]

Do you think Instacoll will last on stone outside as long as rabbit skin glue? Thanks for this great video!!

[@paoloorlandini1435]

Very intresting video. Lookin for the internet i found that using KÖLNER instacoll it's needed the activator. If I want to use only one product, I have to use KÖLNER MINIATUM. Is it correct or I can use instacoll without activator? Thank for your answer.

[@onatorrent]

I believe your able to breath on it as if you were to fog up a mirror and it will make it tacky to apply the gold leaf. Hope this helps and good luck on your project your going to use gilding on.

[@Leelz247]

Can this product be used with a dip pen for gilded lettering? Thanks!

[@Chanaleh]

Wonderful video! Question: The mustard yellow shows through in tiny spots. I actually like it with the yellow golds, but it looks bad with white gold and palladium. Any solutions for keeping the instacoll covered completely?

[@acornartscalligraphystudio7510]

If tiny little spots of the yellow install are showing, you can breathe on the surface again and stick a second layer of the gold or other metals. Some metals are heavier than others and a burnisher may assist you in getting some to stick. Good luck!

[@Chanaleh]

Thanks, Harvest! You're a wonderful teacher.

[@kristilyons8735]

I was trying to use some silver (aluminum, I think) leaf with the Instacol, but it did not stick well, even after I breathed on it pretty heavily. What am I doing wrong? And, how do you do more intricate shapes and get the leaf trimmed neatly around the edges?

[@emmeyoutube]

I have the same problem.

[@PantheraPress]

I am having so much trouble with the Instacoll, do you have any additional tips? When I lay down the gold no matter at what time I apply it it always sticks down patchy. I've tried painting it with alcohol to re-wet it right before applying on the gold, and of course used my breath, but nothing works to get a nice smooth effect. It sticks slightly better if I apply it early, but then the instacoll is too soft and even the q-tip will mar it when I go to gently press it into the size.

[@PantheraPress]

I should add, the patchy spots become impossible to fill - no matter how much I breathe on it or try to reactivate it those spots refuse to take new gold.

[@emmeyoutube]

I have the same problem. Were you able to solve it?

[@PantheraPress]

@@emmeyoutube Nope, never found an answer to this issue.

[@arvadawelder]

is the process the same for the silver leaf?

[@CoxJoxSox]

So you never use lead paint or agate burnishers?

[@ednarvaez8565]

Harvest, can the gold be burnished with an agate burnisher afterward?

[@acornartscalligraphystudio7510]

Hi Ed, with the Instacoll I've never found a need to use a burnisher unless I let it dry to long in the first place. If you catch it at the right time, all that's needed is a Q-tip. If it is too dry, yes, you can use an agate burnisher. You don't want to create heat when doing it, it will soften the Instacoll. If I do that, I usually use a very thin piece of acetate between the gold and the burnisher. It's not the same as using true gesso, which is also lovely to guild with.

[@hestolemybrainatyouthcamp7750]

Forgive my ignorance- but any particular tissue paper? Thank you very helpful.

[@JJLewis-so1iq]

Does instacoll dry firm like gesso or is it rubbery?

[@anthonyventimiglia4157]

I know it has been awhile, but does the instacoll come in different colors or can a dye color be added for a different look?

[@acornartscalligraphystudio7510]

There are at least 3 colors of Instacoll that I know of, but they can be very hard to find in other than the mustard yellow. I'm not sure where to direct you to find them, but a google search might help.

[@mikeplatz4936]

I can not see any thing only taking and taking

[@jillnewton8840]

Instacoll does an activator. Do you ever use this?

[@CoxJoxSox]

Why don't u use the instacoll activator?

[@joseescobar1406]

The shadow effect on gesso shows on camera , do you have a how 2 video ?

[@acornartscalligraphystudio7510]

I am working on that right now, with different raised effects.

[@tortilladepatatas8860]

Por favor subtítulos en español, es el segundo idioma más hablado del mundo. Gracias

[@CoxJoxSox]

Haha, do u tell them there is no quick gilding process?

[@johngriffon2118]

"If your a hobbyist there isnt any real reason to use loose gold..... now heres why you should use loose gold"

[@leaverus]

Is this lady still alive? Great video except it doesn't work. My instacoll (or at least the currently sold stuff) isn't tacky at all so the gold doesn't stick. It just dries hard after 30-45mins and that's it. Am I missing something??

[@smilegagadk]

It's all bumpy and uneven that's proof that instacoll doesn't work. Or the acetate or the brand you used what did it?

[@oneitalia2312]

OMG - I'M OUT!!!!!

[@sphinxtheeminx]

What kind of maniac calls a child Harvest??

[@acornartscalligraphystudio7510]

A very forward thinking one! (It's an Irish name.)

[@oneitalia2312]

I have fast forwarded to the middle of the video - YOU'RE STILL TALKING, YOU HAVEN'T DONE A THING YET! BORING!