Master The Art - Our Courses

Gilding & Paint Finishes

What you will learn

The aim of the courses is for the student to become knowledgeable in the techniques of decorating furniture and frames through finishes such as malachite, marbling, tortoiseshell and graining as well as picking out features with lines, or in the gilding course, be fully competent at preparing gesso, and laying and burnishing gold leaf.

In both courses the emphasis is always on first-hand experience, under close supervision, so that the student emerges well versed in all the materials.

Syllabus - Gilding

    • Introduction to tools and materials

    • The difference between water and oil gilding

    • Preparation of furniture for gesso

    • Making of gesso

    • Laying and burnishing gold

    • Cutting gesso

    • Practice session

    • Gesso application

    • Preparing for laying of gold

    • Oil gilding

    • Gilding on glass

    • Laying gold

    • Burnishing

    • Toning and distressing

    • Cleaning and reviving old gold

    • Finishing frame

Syllabus - Paint Finishes

    • Introduction to materials and tools

    • Preparation of furniture and objects

    • Porphyry

    • Marbleising

    • Graining

    • Malachite and Lapis

    • Painting and picking out

    • Lines and dragging

    • Lines and decoration

    • Oil gilding lines on graining

    • Tortoiseshell

    • Toning and antiquing

Course Fees

£485 including the use of all tools and materials and locally sourced, seasonal lunch and tea every day.

Feeling inspired?

We offer additional courses at Leighton. Bring your work in progress, dust off your novel, or start something completely new with award-winning columnist and writer Kate Hardage. Expand your sewing expertise and master the art of roman-blind or cushion making with sought-after local textile artist, Mary Bullock. Learn the wonderful craft of block printing with world renowned Speronella Marsh. Create stunning wax coated paper flowers with Charlotte Hepworth or willow weave with BBC1s Eddie Glew.

Our offerings are constantly evolving, so please keep checking for updates, or Contact Us.