Gesso is used as a base coat on objects that will be water gilded. It fills imperfections in the surface of the object, and provides a smooth and adhesive base for the clay bole and gold leaf.
When water gilding on canvas or wood, the surface is often prepared with gesso, which is made with whiting and rabbit skin glue. Once the gesso has been brushed on to the gilding surface and completely dried, it is wetted to reactivate the adhesive properties of the rabbit skin glue, at which time the gold leaf can be applied. After the gold has been gilded to your project and allowed to dry, the gold can be polished to a mirror-like finish when using an agate burnisher.
For additional information and instructions, please click here. Made in France.
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