Using Metal Leaf Gold #681-128 Silver #681-127 Copper #681-126 Bronze #681-150

The centuries-old Japanese art of Please Note: The ultra-thin sheets Kimpaku—gilding that uses fragile of leaf are layered with protective paper. sheets of metal to create a decorative It is very important to keep the leaf in Gold Size finish—is easy to learn and perform its packaging until you are ready to gild. Quick-Drying but takes time and practice to master. The thin sheets of leaf are as light as air. Varnish We highly recommend practicing first Before being placed on your object, Charbonnel paint- with copper or bronze leaf on a similarly the slightest breeze (from your breath on adhesive helps shaped object before using more or wind) will move it. Some gilders find you position metal expensive gold leaf with your final it easier to tear sheets of leaf into smaller leaf exactly where you want it. project. This helps you become familiar pieces, allowing for less leaf to be Please Note: Paint-on with the gilding process and the handled at one time. Use care in tearing adhesive is not for use with materials’ properties. leaf sheets as well; it can cling to your oil-based materials such as polymer clay. skin and be difficult to remove without Size Order # wrinkling or ruining it. 75ml bottle 681-195 Using Metal Leaf Successfully 1. Clean the item to be leafed of all dust and oil. the leaf until it has been pressed into the material or onto 2. If you choose, paint the item with primer, lacquer or a surface coated with adhesive, because it will cling to sealing glue to ensure as little porosity as possible your skin and will be difficult to place properly. You can (you can experiment with color primer coats to add try using a pointed tool to pick up the leaf, then position dimension, color or texture to your design). Allow your it onto your piece with a brush, or use static electricity by piece to fully dry before applying the paint-on adhesive. brushing the tip of a brush over your hair. This will hold 3. Pour out the amount of “size” (the technical term for the the leaf while you’re positioning it on your sized piece. adhesive used to position and affix the leaf to your 5. The leaf will stick quickly and repositioning is nearly design; also called adhesive or varnish) you think impossible. Use a soft brush to “tap” the leaf into place. you’ll need. Tightly reseal the container and do not After you have added all the leaf to your design, use return any used material to the container (discard any the brush to remove the remaining small pieces of leaf. remaining material after use). Apply the size to the area All residual leaf can be used again; keep a small to be leafed. The size will go on clear and become tacky container handy to collect them for reuse. to the touch as it begins to dry; it should be tacky (or 6. Gently rub the leaf with a soft cloth to burnish the even a bit beyond tacky) before the leaf is applied. leaf surface. Hint: The longer you wait for the size to 4. Pull back the top sheet of paper, turn the leaf dry after putting on the leaf the better your results upside-down and press it onto the base material will be after burnishing. (with the second layer of protective paper still on top). 7. Use a clear lacquer (optional) to form a smooth, We recommend you try anything but directly touching protective finish.

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