Metal leaf refers to squares of metal hammered into very thin sheets sold between pieces of tissue for ease in handling and storing. Metal leaf comes in many forms and is easily obtained from art stores and gilding supply companies.
In some cases using real gold leaf is essential, especially for traditional water gilding methods. For the techniques in this book it is not necessary to use real gold leaf. When a leaf surface is eventually covered with layers of paint, mediums or placed over texture, it is not worth spending the extra cost for real gold. Imitation leaf is still made of metal and has its own luminous metallic sheen and qualities. The demonstrations in this section that use imitation leaf can also be used with real gold leaf, thicker sheets of metal or metal paint. Feel free to substitute metal sheeting or metallic paints for most techniques in this section that call for metal leaf.
Leaf needs adhesive to adhere to a painting surface. There are two types of adhesives (also called glue or size): water-based or solvent-based. Either one can be used for the techniques in this section. The solvent-based adhesive levels out easier for a smoother look, but is toxic, so I prefer the non-toxic water-based version. Some imitation leaf is available already prepared with glue on one side, but its mesh texture becomes visible on the surface. I prefer using the loose or unprepared leaves as they can be applied without this texture.
Layering gold leaf over a surface is called gold leafing or gilding. Traditional water gilding is the most difficult approach, with its process remaining virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. Water gilding produces a very smooth and glossy sheen useful for framing and icon painting. I prefer adhering leaf with size which reveals the artists hand and will better integrate visually with added paint techniques. The water gilding technique is not included in this book as it requires a book in itself and there are other comprehensive ones already available.
There is a big difference in reflective qualities between the metal paint and metal leaf, shown here. Fluid Iridescent Gold (Fine) paint is knife applied on the left, while imitation gold leaf is adhered on the right. Iridescent paints reflect more than regular paints, but leaf still wins out regarding high sheen. See Technique 5 to get the most reflective effects.
Real gold leaf is often confused with imitation gold leaf. Real gold leaf comes in squares measuring 3.25" × 3.25" (8.3cm × 8.3cm). Prices vary according to the price of gold. Imitation gold leaf is commonly referred to as gold leaf but is made with a combination of zinc and copper, containing no real gold. It comes in squares measuring 5.5" × 5.5 (14cm × 14cm) and is significantly cheaper.
Compare how the gold and silver leafed backgrounds in these paintings evoke warm or cool undertones.
MOUNTAIN POEM IN SILVER
Nancy Reyner
Acrylic and silver leaf on panel
16" × 12" (41cm × 30cm)
STARGATE
Nancy Reyner
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel
48" × 36" (122cm × 91cm)