How to Make the Shiny Stuff Happen (aka, gold leaf)

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Stephanie Law is author of the "Dreamscapes" series of fantasy watercolor instructional books published by Impact Books, and creator of the "Shadowscapes Tarot" .

[@lonironi3754]

Patience is the magic in your art. This piece is flawless.

[@StephanieLaw]

Thanks so much!

[@susanhamilton1822]

I loved watching that whole process.

[@tabbi888]

Love this style of artwork, absolutely beautiful and really conveys the majestic phoenix. Gorgeous, thanks for sharing the techniques for adding the gold accents.

[@sidneyharvey3580]

Thank you so much! I've loved your work since middle school. In 27 now and ready to take my art work a little furthur. 🙂

[@tinylite4964]

Absolutely stunning!!!!

[@J35h13]

Absolutely beautiful. Your style is the best. :)

[@sukumac9013]

Your work is stunning - and you are such a great teacher. When cleaning off the excess gold it’s best to use a squirrel or sable brush to help prevent any scratching of the gold. Can also use a cotton ball.

[@susanwildt6535]

Thanks Stephanie. The Phoenix is stunning! I have wanted to try some gold leaf in my Paintings. Thanks for the detailed info.

[@deno3689]

Beautiful

[@kathyakadragonflysmiles301]

Once again this is stunning. You have great detail in your work.

[@StephanieLaw]

Thanks Kathy!

[@marshascott50]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Lots of great information. Your paintings are amazing -- love the detail!

[@StephanieLaw]

Thanks!

[@kerrym5424]

I loved this video! I could see everything slowly, the materials and tools were clear and the time and techniques described as well. I never thought of using it myself, but the results are so beautiful, how could anyone not want to try it! The gold qualities are really amazing! They works harmoniously with the watercolors. Brilliant!

[@randybowie25]

You probably dont give a damn but does any of you know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb forgot the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me!

[@kieranwilliam7535]

@Randy Bowie instablaster =)

[@randybowie25]

@Kieran William I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and im trying it out now. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@randybowie25]

@Kieran William it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much you saved my account!

[@kieranwilliam7535]

@Randy Bowie You are welcome =)

[@7greentoads]

After I watched this video, I went out and bought some speedball adhesive, transfer gold and silver leaf. Always been wanting to try it. Also, the QOR watercolor ground is great, was so impressed that I could lift paint and erase colored pencils off of it and still have a good surface. Thanks for the inspiration. I really appreciate these videos.

[@kwintendevos591]

out of all artists over the years, you're still my favorite, love all the work and appreciate your shares!

[@StephanieLaw]

Wow, thank you!

[@quavaface7128]

I've been asked to study your dragonfly art for my exam work so this was really helpful for those shiny areas that Ive been struggling to recreate thanks a million!!!!!!! also you've got the prettiest art style I've EVER seen, the colours work so well and everything is just so relaxed... you are now my favorite artist!!

[@StephanieLaw]

Glad it's helpful!

[@lonironi3754]

I can't believe you opened up that container on top of that finished piece. Ohhhh be careful!!

[@sukumac9013]

To help prevent your size brush from sticking up you can put a bit of dish wash liquid on it before using the size ( water damp first) - and you don’t have to rinse it out - it sticks to the brush but does not affect the size or hurt it. Another tool you can use for putting on the size is silicone tipped clay shapers - that sculptors use - easy to clean off and easy to get into odd shapes.

[@glowworm7575]

Fantastic to watch you work! First piece I've watched you do and I'm so intrigued now. I can't wait for my print to show up soon, I'm guessing it will ship Friday, so exciting!!!

[@StephanieLaw]

Thanks Kelley!

[@sisterhoodofur7456]

That was interesting, and the end result is awesome :)

[@maryannknox7158]

Watching again because I ordered gold leafing 🍃 supplies so excited

[@StephanieLaw]

It's fun stuff!

[@debra77888]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is very helpful! I’ve struggled to get the right amount of three demensional effects I’m looking for. This Phoenix is so beautiful!

[@StephanieLaw]

I love playing with various textures, some visual and some physical. I do a lot of experimenting.

[@Poorstargazer23]

I can not express how happy and grateful I am to hear about Kolner Miniatum ink. I have been trying (and failing) to find a product to use with gold leaf that is capable of creating fine lines. I ordered some and can't wait to try experimenting. I am not particularly talented with watercolor or calligraphy, but the art of them makes me really happy. I loved watching you paint and learned a lot of new techniques 💜

[@StephanieLaw]

Oh great! I'm glad to share that info! I hope you've been having a good experience with it!

[@maryannknox7158]

Omg I So so Love Your Work I am learning Watercolor painting I have painted most my life but not with watercolors so Your Videos are so exciting ...Thank You Stephanie so appreciate these videos xoxo 💋

[@StephanieLaw]

Thank you! So glad you are enjoying them!

[@pattitolleyparrish]

I love your work. So intricate. Thanks for the leaf tutorial! I've done this on my own, but wanted to see a pro do it. Ordering some of your sizing and some 24K leaf now. Want to try it and see the difference between that and the other stuff I've been using.

[@StephanieLaw]

Oh good, glad you were able to find the video. :)

[@pattitolleyparrish]

I sure did! Now I'm spending a little money to give this a try! Thanks for a great demo.

[@LindaSmithLatimer]

Just the video I needed! Tried the 24ct not on the transfer paper, what a pain but I succeeded in putting it on the area. But now I’ll be getting it on the transfer paper! Thank you for your video!

[@StephanieLaw]

much easier with the transfer paper!

[@froukebo]

I’ve played with gold foil, never dared to use the real good stuff!!! I wonder if there is a big noticeable difference? Watching this makes my hands itch though. Such beautiful work you make!

[@conchitinabernardo4370]

Wow!!

[@StephanieLaw]

Thank you!

[@blackhearteddd]

You've managed to put me in an experimental mood. I dont have any of the materials listed, but I think I found a way to get a similar effect. I have some really thick Ecoline bottle of watercolor that i can use as base for texture (it dries alright as long as I dont put too much, then it cracks >:D ) and some gold watercolors who can also be really thick.. and gold acrylic paint. Im going to experiment with it :D It wont have the same result as yours, but its worth the try for me :D Its going to be shiny too, at least ^^ Watching you work is always such a joy! You are my biggest inspiration ^^

[@StephanieLaw]

sounds like a fun time! :D

[@karengengle4313]

I just discovered these videos, and the artwork is impressive. Is it difficult to reproduce the finished product as a print? How does the gold leaf maintain its luster in a print?

[@camilas.e.5155]

MOÇA, meu sonho ter um quadro seu!! ♡

[@terryernest6264]

Ah! ...spring has come early for me ...looking at your lovely face :) ... yes this video really makes me want to use the gold leaf that I have squirrelled away for the pass few years :)

[@StephanieLaw]

oh you should, terry!

[@madcesar]

Really awesome looking phoenix. I just love your works :D. I love the styles and colors you create, I often look at your works while I design my jewelry pieces ^^. Your nib holder peeked my interest too (really beautiful). Where would I be able to find one?

[@StephanieLaw]

Mine was a souvenir from a trip to Venice 20+ years ago. :) But I'm sure if you search for glass nib holder you can find something online!

[@TammyPryce]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I love learning new techniques! Question though... The other bits of gold we can see in the painting...where it's all sort of organic and free flowing and broken up, almost like it's splatered... How did you achieve that effect? Is that a gold water color? I'm wanting to add this into some of my mixed media work and I love the look of it sort of broken and random. But I'm not quite sure how to get that look.

[@StephanieLaw]

It's a different technique. I do have some other scattered videos with that

[@dawnangela4364]

Absolutely beautiful painting. Would you glaze this gold leaf with anything?

[@StephanieLaw]

well, this painting I sealed under varnishes, and then a layer of resin

[@tinamarie227]

I found your work on Pinterest and I have been watching your videos and studying your work now for the last few days... its just absolute perfection! I was wondering if you could tell me the company name of the sizing.? I tried to find it but was unsuccessful by what I thought you had called it. I am a true fan of your style and work!!

[@StephanieLaw]

Glad you are enjoying the videos! It is kolner miniatum (make sure the pink one not yellow)

[@goldleafgoddess]

Would it work to combine the size with the ground, and be able to place the gold leaf directly on after it dried? I have noticed that leaf sticks to acrylic grounds very well. Also, do you ever tint the ground or size before applying the leaf?

[@agneshosni4787]

Do you not varnish the gold to prevent tarnish ?

[@arshiyalekhi2619]

Hey! Can we use mod podge as gold leaf sizing? Thanks!

[@robbinpater]

What a breathtaking piece! And a very Instructive video. I have a quick question.. do you apply a coating over the finished piece? Or only over the golden parts? Or nothing at all? And if you don't coat it, will the gold lose it's shine over time? Well... that "quick" question ended up a little long haha

[@StephanieLaw]

yes, I apply a finishing coat. you can find various varnishes, depending on what you intend to do with the piece. This one in particular I was sealing under resin, so that was a whole other process.

[@robbinpater]

Stephanie Law I work with watercolour aswell, so a watercolour varnish alone is enough for the gold parts? Wow! A resin coated piece that must look very beautiful. Thanks for the information, you helped out a lot.

[@StephanieLaw]

it depends on whether you're using 24k gold or imitation. Anything other than 24k will need some kind of varnish or it will tarnish. putting a varnish on 24k gold also will prevent it from falling off, but if it's matted and framed taht's not so much of a concern

[@chishaben-tepherith4001]

Do substitute leafs work as well? I have seen some that aren't gold, probably bronze... Have you tried the cheapos aswell?

[@StephanieLaw]

Not really. They are too chunky. I use them for certain effects, but not if you want any sort of exactitude or delicacy.

[@Stephamajig]

What do you do with the loose gold leaf after you have brushed it off? Does it get saved for something else?

[@StephanieLaw]

I try to brush as much of it as I can onto the spots. It's so fine that there's really not much to save

[@Kyomiibrown]

DS does a gold watercolour ground, have you ever used it?

[@StephanieLaw]

Not yet, though I've seen it in the stores. Haven't yet tried though

[@Sunimo1]

Hi Stephanie, is there any chance you could link to us this gold leaf seizing vial you are using? i really want to buy it and try it out.

[@StephanieLaw]

I use Kolner Miniatum Ink www.journalbooks.com/prod_detail_list/size-base

[@Sunimo1]

hmm... the link doesnt seem to work? :S can you buy something similar from ebay?

[@pattitolleyparrish]

I think I've found it here Sunimo: www.paperinkarts.com/minism.html

[@KatheeRN]

If using real gold leaf on acrylic, do you know how and what to use to varnish the painting?

[@StephanieLaw]

I seal with many layers of varnish spray. And then in this particular piece i also then coated with resin

[@alrunahom9521]

👍🏼👍🏼👑👑👑👑

[@leighperry5032]

How flexable is the leafing technique? Is there a risk of cracking later, while the art is being handled to mount/matt/frame? Do we need to warn whoever is doing that to take extra care? If someone one else is doing the work for us...

[@StephanieLaw]

It's pretty flexible

[@quavaface7128]

also where can i buy good gold leaf that can be shipped to england? i can't find good stuff ANYWHERE!

[@StephanieLaw]

You can find the list of where I get my supplies here: shop.shadowscapes.com I'm not sure if the gold leaf supplier I use ships to england or not.

[@quavaface7128]

thanks :)