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Workshop Preparation - The Gilded Peacock
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.
If you're purchasing vellum from my website, you can choose to have it mounted or unmounted.
• Vellum or paper
• Mount board (only for vellum)
• Stapler (only for vellum)
• Craft knife or scalpel (only for vellum)
• Masking tape
• Ruler
• Tracing paper
• Carbon paper
• HB pencil or mechanical pencil
• Small round brushes (sizes 4/0 & 2 recommended)
• Paint palette
• Water jar
• Ink or Walnut Ink
• Watercolour/Gouache paints including:
- red
- blue
- yellow
- black
- white
• Gilding materials (if using real gold leaf):
- 23ct genuine gold leaf
- Gum Ammoniac (You may use other sizes if you're experienced with them)
- Soft brush (for removing excess gold)
• Alternative to gold (adding painted gold details):
*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 7 × 18 cm. Do not select “fit to page”.
Paper or Vellum
• A4 hot press (smooth) watercolour paper – 300gsm preferred cut to 7cm x 18cm
If you plan to work on vellum, it will need to be mounted before the first session.
• Vellum size 7cm x 18cm (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 paint (for the details)
• Genuine gold leaf with 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 2)
• Water jar + Kitchen towel
• Plastic paint palette
• Ink or walnut ink
Please ensure your paint set includes the following basic colours:
• Red
• Blue
• Yellow
• Black
• White
If you would like to work with the exact colours I use please purchase:
• Vandyke Brown Gouache
• Yellow Ochre Watercolour
*Please note you may choose your own paints if you prefer
Materials I'll be Using During the Workshop
To help you follow along comfortably, here is a clear list of the materials I’ll be using throughout the workshop. You don’t need to match everything exactly - please use what you already have, or choose the closest alternatives.
*If you’re working with gold ink rather than leaf, you’ll simply pause and watch while I gild during the session. The painting steps will still align perfectly, and you can continue as normal once the gilding demonstration is complete.
• Vellum (7cm x 15cm mounted)
• Masking tape
• Putty rubber
• Ruler
• Tracing paper
• Carbon paper
• Mechanical pencil
• Small round brushes (sizes 4/0 & 2 recommended)
• Paint palette x4
• Water jar
• Gilding materials:
- 23ct genuine gold leaf (loose leaf)
- Wax Paper
- Gum Ammoniac (You may use other sizes if you're experienced with them)
- Gilder's Mop (for removing excess gold)
- Hand-ground 23.75ct shell gold
• Paints:
- Zinc White Gouache
- Lamp Black Gouache
- Ultramarine Gouache
- Winsor Blue Gouache
- Vandyke Brown Gouache
- Yellow Ochre Watercolour
- Lemon Yellow Watercolour
- Viridian Watercolour