A Masterclass Study on Preparing

Clay Bole

For Traditional Water Gilding

July 2, 8, 16, 2025

11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

*(Adjust for Local Time Zone)

Note: Daylight Savings Time:

March 9, 2025 (Clocks Go Forward 1 Hour)

Nov. 2, 2025 (Clocks Go Back 1 Hour)

All Levels Welcome!

CANCELLATION POLICY: Please Read Below at the bottom of the page.

CLASS SIZE LIMIT: 10 Students Max

ALL LEVELS WELCOME!

Getting scratching in your gilding or brush marks in your clay that are affecting the look of your gilding? Still unsure about the right consistency before the glue is added? Then read on!

Clay Bole, the silky smooth clay comprised of aluminum silicate and iron oxide and applied to the surface of the gilder’s gesso plays an integral role in Traditional Water Gilding. It provides a cushion on the underlying hard gesso and offers a sympathetic color under the extraordinarily thin gold leaf, affecting the overall tone of the gilding, from warm to cool.

The proper preparation of the clay is very important in how the final gilding appears. Too thick and unsightly brush marks will appear under the gold; over-polishing the Clay Bole surface can result in poor adhesion between the bole and the gold.

Join us for this special three-part Masterclass as we take an in-depth look at:

• Preparing the 10% glue binder,

• Re-hydrating the clay bole for the proper consistency before combining it with the glue binder

• Mixing and straining the ingredients of glue, water, and clay, and properly applying Red over Yellow Clay Bole to a gessoed surface

We will also discuss:

• The Choice of using either Granulated or Fine Ggranulated Rabbit Skin Glue (RSG) or Gelatin as a binder in the prepared Clay Bole and the differences between the three

• The difference between Raw Clay Bole, Prepared Clay Bole, and the final Mixture of Bole and Glue for Gilding (these are all different!)

• Color choices for gilding, historical significance, and colors most suitable for various shades of gold leaf

• How to use Clay Bole for both Water Gilding and Oil Gilding as an undercoat

• Brand Availability in the Marketplace (keeping up with the changes!)

Whether you’re currently studying the art of Water Gilding, an experienced Gilder, or returning to the art, this special Masterclass on Clay Bole will serve as an important Course of Study in gaining a greater understanding of this important material used in gilding and developing the right touch for preparing and applying it for Frames, Furniture, Architectural Elements, Objects, and Panels. ~

All classes are Live on Zoom and recorded for viewing by students. Recordings remain accessible for six months. A Question and Answer Period is provided during each 90-Minute Weekly Session.

A Materials list will be made available upon Registrationf . Contact the Gilding Studio for further information.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Although No Refunds are available, a Full Credit to Any Future Available Class of equal or lesser value will be provided if you need to cancel. Or if you prefer, you may receive the full Recording Series from the class you joined or from a previously recorded series of your online class. Go Here to View the Complete Cancellation Policy.