Make this striking gold frame for a special Christmas gift.



This beautiful gilded frame does not use genuine gold leaf but Dutch metal leaf, a cheaper alternative that still gives impressive results. The paper-thin leaf is applied to a frame that has been coated with gilding size or 'glue'. The warm, earthy tones of the red base coat showing through the cracks of the gold Dutch metal leaf enhance the richness of the gold.

This frame is quite a showpiece, so make sure the style of artwork you are planning to put in it complements such an opulent style of frame.

You'll need
Frame
Abrasive paper: fine grit
Tack cloth
Small brush for base coat
Artists' acrylic paints: Indian Red Oxide
Water-based gilding size
Soft, white cotton gloves
One book Dutch metal gold leaf
Soft cloth or old silk scarf
25mm soft brush for varnish
Water-based satin varnish

Here's how
1. Sand the frame with the fine abrasive paper to ensure the surface is very smooth. Any small bumps or imperfections on the surface will be clearly visible under the fine gold leaf. Remove all the dust with the tack cloth.

2. Base coat the frame with two coats of Indian Red Oxide, sanding lightly between coats. Remove any dust with the tack cloth and allow the frame to dry. A red base coat enhances the depth of the gold leaf.

3. Apply a smooth, even coat of gilding size to the frame. The size usually takes 15–20 minutes to dry but drying time will depend on the weather. Size does not dry completely but becomes slightly tacky, enough to grip the leaf. When testing the size to see if it is ready, use your knuckle to lightly tap the surface - the size should feel tacky, not wet. Do not use your finger as an impression of your fingerprint will be left in the size and may be visible under the thin leaf.

4. Wearing white cotton gloves, carefully apply the Dutch metal leaf to the frame, one sheet at a time. Position the leaf over the frame and gently lower it onto the surface. It is a good idea to shut any windows as any slight breeze will blow the sheets around. (You may find the leaf easier to handle if you cut the sheet into smaller squares. ) As soon as the leaf touches the sized surface it will bond and cannot be removed, so take your time with this step.

5. Use the soft cloth to press the leaf firmly onto the surface and to smooth out any wrinkles in the leaf.

6. Continue to apply the leaf, overlapping the sheets slightly to achieve a full coverage. When the frame is fully covered allow it to dry for 24 hours.

7. When the frame is dry use the soft cloth to wipe over the surface to remove any loose gold leaf. Any gaps can be filled in with skewings (small left-over pieces of gold leaf). Alternatively, allowing small areas of the red base coat to show through can enhance the look of the frame.

8. The fragile Dutch metal leaf needs to be protected or it will tarnish or rub off. Use the soft brush to apply two coats of varnish to the frame. Water-based varnish will keep the clarity of the gold leaf; oil-based varnish will mellow your work, giving it an aged appearance.

Handling gold leaf
Gold leaf is extremely fragile and can easily be tarnished or torn. When handling gold leaf always wear cotton gloves as the oils in the skin may discolour the leaf. Alternatively, dust talcum powder over your hands. The talc will help to absorb the oil.

Gilding materials
Gilding leaf
Leaf for gilding can be purchased in booklets interleaved with tissue paper or in books where each sheet is mounted on backing paper. Genuine gold leaf is more expensive than imitation gold leaf or Dutch metal leaf. Silver leaf is a suitable alternative to gold leaf.

Gilding size
The gilding size acts as a mordant or adhesive for the gold leaf and is available as a water- or oil-based medium. A water-based sizing medium (Jo Sonja Tannin Blocking Sealer was used as the sizing medium for this project) is easier to clean up than an oil-based medium, dries quickly and retains its tackiness for a longer period of time.

Bole
In traditional gilding, the red base coat used beneath the surface of the gold leaf was called 'bole', a red clay used to give warmth and depth to the gold leaf. Today, a more readily available material - a red, or reddish brown acrylic paint - produces a similar effect. Experiment with other colours such as dark green or dark blue under the leaf - these colours can look wonderful showing through any small cracks or imperfections in the leaf.

Source: Making & Decorating Frames (Murdoch Books)