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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Writing on gold leaf
« on: February 15, 2022, 01:57:35 PM »
Hello all!
Hoping to pick the great collective minds on a project Im being recruited for..
The artist has a vision for bold black lettering on top of wood birch panels that have been gold leaf. Immeditely I was hesitatant since I know nothing about gold leaf and can imagine its fairly difficult. Looking back in the posts I found some information from @Ken Fraser but alas the subject wasnt specific to writing on gold leaf, but rather writing small which happen to be on gold leaf.
From the little bits of research Ive done, it seems Ill need to know what/if she treated her gold leaf with? Does anyone have any suggestions on ink? Should I do anything special to my ink to make sure it adherese well to the gold leaf?
The x height Im currently working with is 5mm. We are leaning towards a broad edge script (likely foundational/roman so it can easily be read when all the panels and portaits are done). At this x height would a pointed pen make more sense on the gold leaf than a broad edge?
She isnt planning on hanging the pieces for a show until October so I have plenty of time to do some research. Appreciate any suggestions or pearls of wisdom. This is the trickest thing I have attempted in lettering and Id welcome any helpful hints you talented individiuals have discovered
Thank you!
-Aries
Ps..
If your interested here are the portaits
https://anneshamsart.wordpress.com/2021/12/11/inspiring-women-portrait-project-tenth-progress-report/
And the panels to be callgraphied. Photos were taken before panels were gold leafed
https://anneshamsart.wordpress.com/2020/04/15/inspiring-women-portrait-project-first-progress-report-december-2018-preparing-the-birch-panels/
Hoping to pick the great collective minds on a project Im being recruited for..
The artist has a vision for bold black lettering on top of wood birch panels that have been gold leaf. Immeditely I was hesitatant since I know nothing about gold leaf and can imagine its fairly difficult. Looking back in the posts I found some information from @Ken Fraser but alas the subject wasnt specific to writing on gold leaf, but rather writing small which happen to be on gold leaf.
From the little bits of research Ive done, it seems Ill need to know what/if she treated her gold leaf with? Does anyone have any suggestions on ink? Should I do anything special to my ink to make sure it adherese well to the gold leaf?
The x height Im currently working with is 5mm. We are leaning towards a broad edge script (likely foundational/roman so it can easily be read when all the panels and portaits are done). At this x height would a pointed pen make more sense on the gold leaf than a broad edge?
She isnt planning on hanging the pieces for a show until October so I have plenty of time to do some research. Appreciate any suggestions or pearls of wisdom. This is the trickest thing I have attempted in lettering and Id welcome any helpful hints you talented individiuals have discovered

Thank you!
-Aries
Ps..
If your interested here are the portaits
https://anneshamsart.wordpress.com/2021/12/11/inspiring-women-portrait-project-tenth-progress-report/
And the panels to be callgraphied. Photos were taken before panels were gold leafed
https://anneshamsart.wordpress.com/2020/04/15/inspiring-women-portrait-project-first-progress-report-december-2018-preparing-the-birch-panels/