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Workshop Preparation - The Gilded Bee
This page contains preparation materials for registered participants.
Welcome.
Below you will find the suggested materials for our upcoming sessions. You are very welcome to mix and match from the options listed — please use what you already have where possible.
The focus of this workshop is on learning the techniques of design, colour and gilding. Expensive materials are not required.
Essential Materials
Students should have the following materials before the first session.
Students may choose materials that suit their budget. Both traditional and more affordable options are welcome.
• Calfskin vellum or paper
• Mount board (for mounting vellum)
• Stapler (for mounting vellum)
• Craft knife or scalpel (for cutting the mount board)
• Masking tape
• Ruler
• Tracing paper
• Carbon paper
• HB pencil or mechanical pencil
• Small round brushes (sizes 4/0 & 2 recommended)
• Paint palette
• Water jar
• Oak Gall Ink or Walnut Ink
• Watercolour/Gouache paints including:
- yellow
- black
- white
• Gilding materials (if using real gold leaf):
- 23ct genuine gold leaf
- Yellow Gold Size (for raised gilding) or Gum Ammoniac (for traditional gilding). You may use other sizes if you're experienced with them.
- Soft brush (for removing excess gold)
• Alternative to gold:
*Students may work on vellum or paper, and may choose to use real gold leaf or gold paint, depending on preference and availability.
Design Template
Students to download & print
Before the first session, please download and print the template below.
You will use this to transfer the design onto your paper or vellum.
Print at 100% scale (actual size). When printed correctly, the black border should measure 10 × 10 cm. Do not select “fit to page”.
Paper or Vellum
• A4 hot press (smooth) watercolour paper – 300gsm preferred cut to 10cm x 10cm
If you plan to work on vellum, it must be mounted before the first session. You’ll receive a free, step‑by‑step vellum mounting video, so you can prepare with confidence.
• Vellum size 10cm x 10cm (this can be mounted or unmounted)
• Mount board (for mounting the vellum)
• Stapler and staples (for securing the vellum)
• Craft knife (to cut the mount board)
• Ruler
*Please note that vellum is often made to order and can require additional preparation time. If choosing this option, I recommend placing your order well in advance of the workshop.
Working on paper is absolutely suitable for this course, and no prior experience with vellum is required.
Drawing Materials
• HB pencil or mechanical pencil
• Putty rubber (Optional)
• Ruler
• Tracing paper (for tracing the design)
• Carbon paper (for transferring your design)
• Masking tape to secure the tracing
Gold Options
Please choose one option that suits your preference and budget:
• Hand-ground 23.75ct shell gold or gold ink paint (for the wing details)
• 23ct genuine gold leaf with water gold size (for raised gilding) or gum ammoniac (for traditional gilding) - If you're using genuine gold, then you will have to purchase a water-based size and a soft brush to brush away the gold.
• Soft gilding brush or a soft make-up brush
Optional for traditional gilding:
• Agate burnisher for burnishing (optional)
Paint
• Watercolour or gouache (student or artist grade)
• x2 brushes (size 4 0's + size 0)
• Water jar + Kitchen towel
• Plastic paint palette
• Oak gall ink or walnut ink
Please ensure your paint set includes the following basic colours:
• Yellow
• Black
• White
If you would like to work with the exact colours I use please purchase:
• Zinc White Gouache
• Yellow Ochre Watercolour
*Please note you may choose your own paints if you prefer