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Workshop Preparation — (July 2026)
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.
• Natural 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
• Ink or Walnut Ink
• Watercolour paints including:
- red
- blue
- yellow
- black
- white
• Gilding materials (if using real gold leaf):
- 22 ct gold leaf
- Gum ammoniac
- Soft brush (for removing excess gold)
• Alternative to gold:
- Gold ink paint
*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 will need to be mounted before the first session.
• 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:
• Gold ink paint
• 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:
• Zinc White Gouache
• Lamp Black Gouache
• Cerulean Blue Watercolour
• Cadmium Yellow Watercolour
• Lemon Yellow Watercolour
• Cadmium Red Deep Hue Watercolour
• Ultramarine Watercolour
Mounting Vellum
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
If you plan to work on vellum, it will need to be mounted before the first session. Instructions are provided below.
This guide will walk you through preparing and mounting your vellum before our first session.
Step 1 — Create Your Mount Opening
Place your vellum sheet on your mount board and lightly trace around the outer edge using a pencil. This will create your cutting guide.
Using a steel ruler and a sharp craft knife or scalpel, carefully cut along this guide to create an opening in the mount board.
Take your time with this step to ensure clean, straight edges.
Step 2 — Mark Your Border
On your vellum sheet, draw a light 4mm border from the very edge.
This will indicate the area that will sit beneath the mount and be secured in place.
Keep this line light, as it will sit beneath the mount board.
Step 3 — Secure the Vellum
Position the vellum behind the mount board so that the 4mm border sits evenly beneath the opening.
Using a stapler, begin securing the vellum to the mount board.
I recommend:
• Starting in one corner
• Moving to the opposite corner
• Securing the remaining two corners
• Then placing staples in the middle of each side
This ensures even tension across the surface.
If you have any difficulty mounting the vellum, please feel free to contact me before the workshop and I will be happy to help.
Final Check
Your vellum should now be:
• Smooth
• Evenly tensioned
• Securely attached on all sides
Please complete this process before our first session.
If you feel unsure about mounting vellum, working on hot-press watercolour paper is perfectly suitable for the workshop and requires no preparation.