Gilding gesso

Handcrafted Gesso for Gilding in Calligraphy

half pan and full pan both qty available in limited stock (seasonal production)

Introducing our premium, handcrafted Gesso, meticulously formulated to elevate your gilding experience in calligraphy. Specially designed to withstand Indian weather conditions, this gesso offers an ideal surface for raised gilding, ensuring excellent adhesion for both genuine and imitation gold leaf.

Features:

• Smooth Application: Creamy, easy-to-apply texture that allows for precise detailing and smooth layering, perfect for creating dimensional raised effects.
• Weather-Resilient: Tailored to maintain consistent performance in varying humidity and temperature, ensuring durability and longevity.
• Versatile Finish: Creates a robust base that pairs well with a range of metallic leaves, including 23k gold, silver, and copper, giving a stunning, luminous finish.

Ideal For:
Calligraphers, illumination artists, and lettering enthusiasts who seek a high-quality gesso to achieve exquisite raised gilding on paper, vellum, and other surfaces. Enhance your creations with this professional-grade gesso, designed to bring out the brilliance of your gilded artwork!

How to Use Gesso Tablets for Raised Gilding in Calligraphy👇

Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve the perfect raised surface for gilding:

Materials Needed:

• Gesso tablet
• Distilled water
• Clean container (small bowl)
• Fine calligraphy brush or spatula
• Surface for gilding (paper, vellum, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Gesso Mix:
• Place the gesso tablet into a clean container.
• Add a small amount of distilled water, just enough to cover the tablet.
• Let it sit for a few minutes to soften, then stir gently until you achieve a smooth, thick, and consistent paste.
• Adjust the water quantity as needed, adding a few drops at a time to reach the desired thickness. For raised gilding, the gesso should be thick enough to hold its shape but not too stiff.

2. Apply the Gesso:
• Use a fine calligraphy brush or a spatula to carefully apply the gesso to the design area on your surface.
• For raised effects, apply the gesso in a slightly domed shape, layering as needed to build up height. Make sure to keep the edges clean for a precise outline.

3. Allow to Dry:
• Let the gesso dry completely before proceeding with gilding. Depending on thickness, drying may take several hours or overnight.
• Ensure that the gesso is firm and not tacky before moving to the next step.

4. Burnish:- 
• Once dry, you can lightly burnish the gesso surface with a burnishers to achieve a smoother finish. This step helps in achieving a more polished appearance when applying gold leaf.

5. Gilding:
• Before application breath on the gesso with warm breath and once the surface gets sticky then carefully lay down the gold leaf or other metallic leaf. 

6. Finishing Touch:
•Use a soft brush to remove excess gold leaf and reveal a shiny, raised gilded surface.

.Gently burnish the surface of the gold leaf over the gesso, ensuring the borders also. 

Enjoy the luminous beauty of your gilded calligraphy work!