Just paint over it. The leaf is just a different surface. It’s shiny and glossy. You would want to work with transparency so that you don’t just cover up the gold with paint. I do have many painting techniques in my book Acrylic Illuminations. Which book were you referring to when you said it’s not in my book? I’ve written four of them so not sure which one you mean
Thank you for replying. I was talking about acrylic illuminations actually. Maybe it's because I'm new to painting but I couldn't figure it out. Also do I need to use the toxic sealant or is 2 coats of GAC 200 enough over the imitation gold leaf? I'm painting on a fairly big canvas so I'm a bit nervous 😅
@@salonitomar5761 Here is an article with more detail on how to choose the best sealant for the imitation gold leaf: nancyreyner.com/2017/06/22/prepare-gold-leaf-oil-painting/ Basically the solvent based sealers provide a stronger seal than the water-based ones (like GAC200). If you can spray outside, then there are many inexpensive options that you can purchase at hardware and home improvement stores, like Krylon's clear coats and other brands. If you can't do that, then the only non-toxic option is the GAC200. That medium can still tarnish your leaf if applied incorrectly. Read the article I mentioned above to make sure you don't apply it too thickly or in any way that keeps it from drying fast. Two coats is plenty if you are applying acrylic paint over it in thin layers. If you are over-painting with thick gels, pouring or sanding then you would need 4 coats. It sounds like you wanted to overpaint using one of the painting techniques described in my book Acrylic Illuminations. I'm happy to provide more information on any technique you don't understand. Just write back.
@@nancyreynerI would love to use a solvent based sealer but in india, they're expensive (the ones you've mentioned) and I'm not sure how to find a substitute. I'll be painting a scenery, if that helps figure things out. Also about the book, I'm not sure how to find the techniques that I can specifically use over gold leaf. Any particular chapters I should focus on?
@@salonitomar5761 In my book Acrylic Illuminations, check out Section 2. The first chapter in that section is how to apply leaf. The rest of the chapters are all about overpainting with acrylic over leaf.
Hi I have just bought the streeming version of this video but when I downloaded the 2x PDFs I could no longer access the link to the video - fortunately I had copied the password - could I have a link to where I log in?
hi i'm viewing this video from the UK. As a total novice I just want to say how clear and helpful this video was. The format, content and your delivery were great. Have ordered your book and feeling confident and so excited to try this out . Thankyou
Great tutorial thanks. Homeschooling mum in NZ teaching children to make (cheap) icons, using gold leaf. Just had a look at our local library and they have your book! It's on hold now! Very happy watcher here :)
Hi. I just want to mention that Hoffman died from a drug overdose. On Wikipedia, it says that he was trying to get clean, and that friends was surprised, claiming he had gotten his addiction under control. Of course, not everything on Wikipedia is necessarily true. But it doesn't say anything about an intentional suicide.
Thank you for the additional information. I guess we'll never know what went on in his mind and whether his death was intentional or accidental. Either way it is a sad loss of a great man. And also either way, my point about allowing distortion to express emotion in a painting still holds. Thanks again for adding your comment
You can use both acrylic or oil over or under the leaf. This video shows steps for using acrylic with the leaf, but you can use the same steps with oil, with some exceptions. You would use an oil-based adhesive to apply the leaf onto oil paint. Here is a link to an article I wrote that explains some of the differences in the process between acrylic and oil in combination with leaf: nancyreyner.com/2017/06/22/prepare-gold-leaf-oil-painting/
Excellent detailed video. I greatly appreciate found this after seeing them online and the square shaped which is so rare hooked me. Due diligence to make sure they aren't total trash first. The only other square pastel in oil I've ever seen was holbein which are soo pricey. I love that shape though so was happy to see these especially since they are good quality. I don't know why holbein is so expensive here other thanaybe there is no importer for them based in US for some reason...?
These are a chunkier square shape then the Holbein. I really like them too. I would imagine that price diffferences relate to the quality of ingredients used. However, I found them both to work well.
Nancy thank you so much for your videos! They helped me learn how to work with metal leaf. But I’m stuck - I have two paintings done in oil with gold leaf. I’d like to seal the surface to make sure it is safe - do you have a spray sealant you’d recommend?
If the painting is complete, and includes metal leaf and oil paint, then you can use any oil painting varnish. An oil painting varnish will be solvent-based and that means it will go well over both leaf and oil paint. If this is your last and final coat, I recommend using an archival varnish like Gamblin's Gamvar or Golden's Archival Varnish (spray). These products are removable for cleaning purposes. That's what makes them archival for fine art paintings. If you don't want that type of protection, you can always use any clear gloss spray. Sprays are usually solvent-based so they are fine for over oil paint and metal leaf. They aren't removable, though. There are many clear gloss sprays available. Krylon makes many different ones. I like their product with UV protection: amzn.to/3O0DRj8. Please note that brush applying a removable varnish, over oil paint, might actually soften the oil paint and remove it while you are brushing over it. Sprays are probably your best choice.
@@nancyreyner Thank you so much ! That is a huge help. As I have edged my way into working with metal leaf, I wanted to use only tried and true techniques - to hopefully assure the works will last. Thank you Nancy !!
I don't understand why you can leaf right over the acrylic base coat (is it because the adhesive protects it from tarnishing?) but have to seal before painting acrylic paints over it.
The acrylic base coat will not harm or tarnish the leaf. Ammonia will tarnish imitation gold leaf. Ammonia is in all water-based acrylic products HOWEVER the ammonia dissipates when the acrylic is dry to the touch. This means that we only need to be concerned with wet acrylic on unsealed imitation leaf, as that will tarnish the leaf. Once the leaf is sealed then acrylic will not tarnish the leaf when used over the leaf. And the leaf will not tarnish if applied to a dry acrylic base. Hope this answers your question. I know it can be confusing.
@@nancyreyner It has been confusing but your video is excellent and I appreciate you answering all these questions on such a long standing video. You're a blessing, thank you so much!
@@maryoliver1732 Mary you are very welcome. By the way, I have a blog page that goes into more detail about sealing issues. I think it will totally clear up any other questions you may have. Here is a direct link - nancyreyner.com/2017/06/22/prepare-gold-leaf-oil-painting/
Thanks for sharing your videos. What type of varnish do you use with the gold leaves? And if this varnish is compatible with oil paint or do I have to use 2 different types of varnish when combining oil with gold leaves?
There are two times that I need to seal. First is over the leaf, to protect it while I overpaint. Once the painting part is complete, I then have to varnish over the entire painting (including paint and leaf) with an archival varnish (which means it has UV protection and is removable for future cleaning purposes. For the first part of sealing over the leaf, I use a solvent-baed varnish like Golden's MSA Varnish, or a clear gloss spray from Krylon. With oil paint overpainting you can use the same varnish and/or sealer to go over the metal and the oil together. I have a detailed explanation of all of the above on my blog. For more info go to nancyreyner.com/2017/06/22/prepare-gold-leaf-oil-painting/
@@nancyreyner Thank you very much for answering me. An extra question Krylon Marker Golden 18K can be used on acrylic paint and oil paint. Krylon 18K Marker can be varnished with your procedure after being placed on acrylic paint or oil paint.
@@aideshellstrom9155 Sorry I am not familiar with the Krylon Markers. I suggest experimenting on something you don't care about, using them in the same way you would with one of your paintings, and see how the varnish works on it. If its a spray varnish, it would probably work, but again this is only my theory and you would not to try it out.
Thank you for sharing this has become my new interest as I've been Accenting in Gold paint for years. I've looked everywhere for explanation and have found little, I'm so excited to go on this journey with you ❤
Hi Nancy, I hope I can still respond to this older video. I did as mentioned in other videos (although I don’t know which video you were referring to, I got the information on google and a Liquitex video), I bought airbrush medium to add to my acrylics. The description of the airbrush medium says ‘do not mix with water’ so I use it (as) pure (as possible) with acrylics. But maybe you know, can you actually also mix it with water if not used for an airbrush but just painting with it with acrylic paint? As you mentioned they talk in that specific video about ‘…if more then 40% water, then add airbrush medium’, so that is okay to mix? Because I spray water on my palette and sometimes also on the painting to keep the paint moist and then I always doubt whether it’s okay or not that then there is some water mixed with the airbrush medium. And…it is okay to use airbrush medium with acrylics isn’t it? If not looking for that watery effect you were demonstrating, but just to make the paint more smooth or for glazing. Because I do feel that it is for some purposes easier to paint with, or nicer effect then when thinned with only water. I also tried gloss medium for glazing for example but to me that brings a more ‘glue-ish’ look to the work then with airbrush medium. And I don’t have a very high quality paint, not bad either, a medium quality I think, therefore I feel it’s maybe necessary to add al little bit of medium and then airbrush medium is okay for that isn’t it? Thanks for the video, it’s always nice and soothing to hear someone bringing the hype of warnings back to normal 🙂👍🏼.
Hi Karin, Yes you can add water to airbrush medium. The reason the label says to not mix with water is because it will dilute the medium, which is made specifically to go through an airbrush. By diluting it, the retarder which slows down the drying and keeps the paint from clogging the airbrush, may not work as well. Since you are using it in the paint, without using it in an airbrush, it will be fine. It is a water soluble medium and is fine with some water added to thin it. It is also fine to use the Airbrush Medium with other acrylic paints and mediums. That is one advantage with acrylic, that almost all products can be combined with each other. There are some exceptions like the varnish. Your thinking sounds very sound. The mediums do add more stability to a lesser quality acrylic paint. The important thing to remember is that water is fine in small amounts, and medium amounts when needed. When you use large amounts it changes it's nature - still usable and great to work with - but different so that it would require different handling - for instance using it like you would watercolor. Hope this helps!
@@nancyreyner thank you so much for your response Nancy! For sure it’s helpful! That is really good to know, that airbrush medium is fine, the way I use it for painting. I’m not exactly sure about the quality of the paint, but I think the Golden paints are probably better quality. I use Winsor & Newton, Galeria series, so that’s not the most professional, so I guess adding some medium is best to do when painting with thinned paint. And also a Dutch brand, but I don’t know if that is known international. The last part of your answer about ‘large amounts changing it’s nature and require different handling’, was that about large amounts of water or large amounts of medium? I think water, right? Then I add mostly airbrush medium (for glazing for example). But after your explanation I know now that I can also add part medium and part water. And you wrote that combining all kinds of paints/mediums is possible with acrylics except varnish. I think as long as I use an acrylic varnish it’s okay….or is that nit the case? I have different brands in the paints and mediums I use. Should I choose a certain brand of varnish then?
@@karinvankempen6892 yes I meant large amounts of water like 70% or more, when you add that to acrylic paint then you need to treat it like watercolor, like I mentioned in the video. There are some things you would not want to add large amounts of water to. I mentioned varnish because that is used at the end to protect the painting, and you only want enough water to thin it as per the instructions. If too much water is added it will puddle up and will not create a nice varnish sheen. It will also reduce the amount of protection you’re getting from the product. There are other products that have special qualities, like the light molding paste. This product if you added a lot of water you probably wouldn’t have a paste anymore. So I just wanted to mention that there are a few exceptions. But it sounds like your process is perfectly fine.
@@nancyreyner thank you Nancy! Good to know that my process is okay! I work mostly on sealed wood, so it’s not an absorbent surface anymore like you mentioned in the video (about treating it as watercolor). I used to paint with very watery acrylics on wood years ago and never prepared/sized/primed it back then (you tube didn’t exist yet I think 🙂), never had any problems with the paint, no fading overtime or anything like that either. After watching lots of you tube videos I didn’t dare ro work that way anymore and started sealing the wood etc and got insecure about using acrylics with lots of water etc. Sometimes I think of just going back to the old approach of no worries about anything and being able to sand if make a mistake without worrying about the gac100 and gesso underneath etc….and everything was fine back then. But okay I understand what you’re saying and I think I then will continue the way I paint with the (airbrush and sometimes also gloss medium) now. But thin varnish with water? I never heard of that. Do people do that? I would use that without adding anything. I didn’t even know that was an option. For the first layer of varnish…or? Although I think I also heard somewhere that with an acrylic paint you best just add only 1 layer of varnish (although there’s also multiple approaches with varnish on You Tube of course).
@@karinvankempen6892 I have a wonderful suggestion now that you mentioned your previous process. You can apply an absorbent ground to the wood first. Then let it dry for a day. Now you can apply paint diluted with water (and/or use the thin medium you're using) and you will get more washy effects. My favorite absorbent ground is Golden's Light Molding Paste (not the same as their other product called just Molding Paste). I also like a product they make called Absorbent Ground. Regarding adding water to the varnish, there are different varnishes. I was referring to water-based varnishes. Golden's Waterborne Varnish comes condensed and you are instructed on the label to dilute it with water. My point was to follow the instructions for certain products like that one, and not overwater them. One coat of varnish is usually enough. Again, there are many varieties of varnish. I am referring to archival varnishes that have UV protection and are removable for cleaning purposes. This is what I use on all my paintings so that they last longer. By the way, I do have a master course on acrylic that you may enjoy. It has a video on just about all aspects of acrylic painting, including an entire video dedicated to varnishing, and another video dedicated to using acrylic like watercolor, along with adding absorbent grounds to your surface. You can learn more about it here: nancyreyner.com/master-course-package/
I don't use any product over the oil pastel. I let them air dry for several days or longer if I can. Then I store them between freezer paper or release paper. Eventually I frame them with mats and glass for protection. Spray fixatives and varnish, in my opinion, don't look good over oil pastels.
It’s a complex area that is really interesting to consider and delve into! I can now go back and evaluate my drivers for creating such different and diverse pieces and confidently accept the tensions that exist within me which inspired certain pieces. I think there is a valid and important place for provocative art. The artist just has to accept that it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea nor would they want to hang it in their lounge room! Everyone’s comfort level is different. I purchased two provocative ceramic art pieces that recorded a sad time in my countries politics. The “nice pieces” in the same exhibition, traditional vessels were absolutely stunning… but this artist was clearly affected by what had transpired and made this “other” work that called out some terrible handling and behaviour by politicians at the time. I bought a number of these pieces because I didn’t want to forget that time. My partner said well you’re not hanging them in the house! 😂😂 I do have them hanging … but in a section of my studio that is becoming almost like a little shrine. And I love it! I want the reminder, I want the record, I want the healing for all affected by the underlying issues presented by the work. The artist just may never become famous for those pieces… but I don’t think that was the point. Thanks for a great discussion and illumination Nancy!
This was a really helpful and informative video. I watched your other videos and they are ALL helpful and informative. Thanks for taking the time to break down these important concepts! I wondered why some of my work went off the rails a bit. Looking forward to putting my art materials budget towards your courses!
Is there any chance you’re available for questions? I’m working on a super important piece to me and trying to layer in genuine gold leaf. I’m having a lot of issues with wrinkling, cutting pieces to size and my leaf just seems to permanently stick to the wax paper rather than the paper acting as a transfer tool of sorts. When I put my leaf sheats on the wax paper and thoroughly rub them into the sized areas I’ve got prepped, the leaf more often stays sticking to the wax paper than to the piece and I can’t get it off of the wax paper from there even if I try with tweezers. Panicking a bit as I’ve got genuine 24k gold leaf sheets here and only so many to work with, and terrified of having to invest in more 😔
Can you try a different brand of wax paper? Make sure it’s wax paper and not freezer paper or parchment paper. Real goldleaf is very delicate. That is one reason why I like to use the imitation gold leaf. The copper in that leaf makes it stronger than real gold. One other thought is once you get the leaf on the wax paper and transfer it to your adhesived surface don’t press it in, just gently swipe it to make sure it’s on. Go back later in about 15 or 20 minutes and then burnish. Also make sure when you lay the wax paper over the leaf to get the leaf on it while applying it, don’t use too much pressure. A moderate amount of pressure will provide enough static for the leaf to stick naturally without pressing.
Amusing tutorial, fantastic teacher, I wish i am closer to your city to take classes. Can't explain my satisfaction with your honesty and professionalism. Thank you
Truly awesome video Nancy - one of THE BEST tutorials I've ever watched!!! Thank you, thank you!! (Hope you read all your fabulous reviews!!!) PS. I'm adding on to this - laughing - since I just took a break and did my dishes and in the sink was an empty container of Talenti (actually gelato) which is all I eat when it comes to ice cream and just finished one off tonight!! I had collected so many containers for storage but never thought to use them for my brushes!!! Have a new clean one now ready to go!!! Thanks again!!! 🥰
Glad you like my video and thanks for adding your comment. Yes I read them 😁After the video I found out that the Talenti containers aren't as air tight as I thought. I use them as is for mixing paints I will use within a month. For long term storage of paints in those containers I srap the edge of the lid after it's screwed on with that black electrical tape.
I work in acrylic. Here is a link to my online courses, nancyreyner.com/master-course-package/ and I also arrange private classes at my studio in Santa Fe. Thanks for asking!
Your student is mistaken, Phillip Seymour Hoffman didn’t commit suicide but died of an accidental drug overdose after several months of being clean. Hoffman's death was officially ruled an accident caused by "acute mixed drug intoxication, including heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and amphetamine".[151] Michael Schwirtz of The New York Times said, "whether Hoffman had taken all of the substances on the same day, or whether any of the substances had remained in his system from earlier use, was not reported."[152] If I heard that story from the student I would think he was “spinning” a story to match the distorted picture… because he didn’t want to correct it. 😂
Especially since his other work shows the same distortion (in the tiger) I think he needs to work on his technique instead of just making up a story to match the flaws that are demonstrated by lack of mastery.
