How to use Gold leaf in Calligraphy

What is gold leafing/gilding ?

Gold leafing is the process of applying thin sheets of real gold onto any surface for decorating.Canvas,wasli paper ,furniture ,ceramics .... gold leaf has many applications in Art world.
The art of the gilder can be traced back hundreds of years.The application of gold to reflect light or to illuminate a piece of work can have a profound visual effect. Moreover,the purity of the gold and the way in which it is used within the work have deep, spiritual meaning.

In fact, the integrity of the process used to apply the gold and the reverence with which it s handled and applied can itself have great meaning within the context of the final work and the tradition within which it is created. Gold is used to write the text of the Quran,exalting the written word to the highest level achievable by the calligrapher.

Gold

 

The purity of gold is measured by the carat.Pure gold is 24 carat,but 23 or 23.5 is to be recommended unless you are using a colored ( a gold that has been mixed with other metals to affect the hue and therefore, the carat value.

Loose leaf gold

This is bought as a book of loose sheets of gold. Loose leaf is more difficult to handle than other types of gold,but the results are significantly better.It comes in two weights,single leaf and a heavier weight sometimes called 'extra thick' or 'double gold'.
The heavier weight is easier to use and generally gives a better result.
When handling books of gold leaf,take care to hold the open side between thumb and forefinger. If you hold the book by its spine,the sheets will fall from the book in the event of a draught separating the pages.

How much a gold leaf costs?

It costs around  Rs 400 /sheet or $ 3/sheet . If you buy a foil version ,it comes as cheap as Rs. 70.

Transfer Gold

This is pressed onto a tissue paper backing sheet and in certain situations is easier to use than loose leaf.Because of the pressing process,however, the gilt finish is generally duller than when using gold loose leaf.
More posts on calligraphy are available here
how to write Allah in calligraphy

Shell Gold

This powdered gold is held by a gum-binding agent,usually gum Arabic. It is used for fine lines or small areas of gilding..It can be used on larger areas but,since it is time consuming to prepare, it is often not advantageous to use it in this way. It is called Shell gold because,historically,it was sold in a half mussel shell,but today it comes in small blocks similar to watercolor paints. Here is the interesting video on youtube on 

How to make shell gold by Esra Alhamal

We ll continue on this topic,going ahead with mordants and gold leaf application. You can follow me on instagram   ayeshacalligraphy

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