Raised Gilding for Illumination Scribal Arts | with THL Matildis la Libraire

In this class, THL Matildis la Libraire covers the steps used in raised gilding, from laying gesso to polishing, gilding, and burnishing.
Find the handout at docs.google.co...
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For more information on the Royal University of the Midrealm, please visit: rum.midrealm.org/
The SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) is an international, non-profit educational organization that studies and recreates the medieval and Renaissance years of 600-1600AD.
For more information and to locate your local branch, please check out www.sca.org
#raised #gilding #illumination

[@EnchantadoreaPlumaDelDragon]

Thank you so much. I love illumination. It is so beautiful. It is one of the skills I would like to learn on my journey.

[@royaluniversityofthemidrealm]

You're welcome.

[@ksaravan910]

What alternatives to the agate burnisher tool is there? It's not easily available where I live (or online) and not affordable to get it shipped either.

[@royaluniversityofthemidrealm]

Your inquiry has been forwarded to the teacher of this class.

[@royaluniversityofthemidrealm]

Response from the teacher: Okay, so it's agate. You can find polished, tumbled agate without a handle for like 2 bucks in a good size. The hard part isn't finding agate. It's just finding it shaped to a point or whatever, with a handle attached. If you have the right kind of gift shop or souvenir shop around, they might have an entire bin of agates you can pick through and they'll be a dollar or less apiece. Some folks suggest the back of a spoon but in my experience those are not smooth enough. Agate itself is a type of "microcystalline" quartz, so if you can't find that, then tumbled, polished quartz, amethyst, etc should also work. Hematite is another popular burnisher stone. (I'm not 100% on the amethyst, but I own a hematite burnisher.)

[@LittleFiddlyBits]

Some notes from Mathildis (the instructor) as passed on by the maker of Tresser's Gesso, Mr. Jerry Tresser: Okay, one big correction Mr. Tresser gave me was that the liquid that rises to the top of the gesso is NOT glair (I should have known that), but a "gilding liquor" that includes an anti-mold agent. If the gesso does get moldy, you can lift the moldy bits out with a stick and the rest of the gesso would be fine. Stirring with a brush is more likely to introduce air bubbles, even if you're gentle, so it's better to use a toothpick or other solid bit. In fact, Jerry Tresser uses a quill or metal-nib pen, even a ruling pen, for all his gilding, rather than a brush at all. Definitely don't stir vigorously or shake, I got that part right for sure. If you lay down an initial layer and it's too thin, and you've let it dry, rather than adding a wet layer over the top of it, you want to moisten that bottom layer first. However, do NOT add water. Instead, brush it with *rubbing alcohol* to moisten it, so that the added layer will blend with it more readily; the alcohol evaporates faster than water and won't saturate, soften, or otherwise ruin the bottom layer. This particular recipe of gesso does eventually spoil, even if you keep it in the fridge. John Neal is one of their vendors, but Mr. Tresser has no way to know how long John Neal has held onto the supply before it ships to you. Tresser makes the gesso fresh daily, so you can always get more if you need it. Also, 220 grit sandpaper is recommended for smoothing any surface imperfections once the gesso is dry. Mr. Tresser also said to contact him anytime with questions. jtresser.com which I believe also has a phone number where he can be reached.

[@royaluniversityofthemidrealm]

Thank you.

[@LittleFiddlyBits]

Another note from Mr. Tresser, who makes this gesso, is that using the bristle end of the paintbrush DOES run the risk of introducing air bubbles more than just stirring with a toothpick or other stick.

[@royaluniversityofthemidrealm]

Thank you for the information.

[@AR-mu4zq]

Does anyone know where to find his recipe for the raised gesso for guiding? He passed away and no longer sells it.

[@S.P.SINGH81]

Helo ji, can u tell me about raise gilding fluid name and gold leaves?

[@royaluniversityofthemidrealm]

@LittleFiddlyBits Would you know the answer to this?

[@judihopewell2499]

Great lesson. Next time mute your people as there was chatter all the way thru

[@judihopewell2499]

Sounded like someone;s tv was on

[@royaluniversityofthemidrealm]

Thank you.

[@maureenhallahan9336]

Why not make your own gesso in the traditional way.?

[@royaluniversityofthemidrealm]

Interesting question. I'll see if I can reach out to the teacher about this.

[@LittleFiddlyBits]

Hi, I am the person who taught this class back in 2020. Making one's own gesso was outside the scope of this video, which was focused on using a product already purchased. A student might not have the resources--time, energy, money, space, materials, tools--to make their own. Not to mention that the period recipe for gesso includes white lead, which is highly toxic. If you're willing or able to overcome those obstacles, then making gesso is certainly an option; there are many tutorials already available online in both written and video format. However, in 2020 when this video was made, I was not in a position to do so myself.

[@maureenhallahan9336]

@@LittleFiddlyBits Thank you for your reply, which makes sense of course. I’m curious because there are many people like myself who make their own ( but it does have mixed results)!

[@LittleFiddlyBits]

@@maureenhallahan9336 Since this video was made, Mr. Tresser has passed away and his gesso is no longer available. After buying other gesso and having lackluster results with it (literally),I'm finally going to try making my own here before the year is out. Wish me luck!

[@maureenhallahan9336]

@@LittleFiddlyBits I DO wish you luck! I’ve been making it on and off for years - about once a year- and it IS temperamental!