Gilding course: 2 - Bole

Bole is needed to prepare the surface for the application of the gold leaf. You must apply several layers on the gesso. When it has dried, it must be sanded and polished.

[@gildingstudio]

Proportions of glue to bole will give you different effects. It effects how the gold is burnished and will also affect greatly how the 'rub' of the leaf will appear. The more bole the higher the burnish, the lower the bole quantity the better the appearance of the rub, based on a 10% RSG mixture. So it's all a matter of balance. The proportions shown here seem way too high on the glue side. Conversely, if a gilder is going for a beautiful, contemporary rub but uses too high of a volume of bole then the rub will likely show brush marks; too high a glue content may be too hard to burnish properly. So it all depends on the result you want to achieve. My bole is 1.67 Grams to 1 Gram 10% rabbit skin glue (or gelatin).

[@wetdewlap8741]

Mr. Douglas, you certainly seem to be a knowledgeable and experienced guilder... if I may be so bold to ask,( and a little embarrassed by my lack of knowledge) but I am an artist of watercolour ... and I saw a sgraffito video and I have fallen in love; however... I can not find too much on sgraffito on wood.. all the videos seem to be dealing with pottery.. If I were to transfer my design to a wooden frame, at what stage would I begin that.. and at what stage( in these videos ) would I scratch out my design. I don't know if I am naive in me thinking these are steps to sgraffito but I thought I may try for an answer as I have seen your posts and you are the knowledgeable one here. I look forward to a reply and I thank you for your time.

[@amandanichols5489]

Thank you.