Gilder, Decorative Artist, Graining and Marbling
Article by Gareth Hoyle
Have you ever marvelled at the beauty of a decorative pillar with its eye catching glint of gold? Or admired the graining and marbling in a beautiful old house? Or stopped to look in amazement at a beautiful scene, only to realise that it is painted? These decorative features were produced by craftsmen by hand, and this service is available today. True decorative art which will last is only achieved by traditional methods.
In the craft of gilding, fine gold leaf or powder is applied to a solid surface, this may be wood, stone or metal and the result is a thin layer of gold over the surface. At Decowell Restoration traditional methods are used for that authentic look. Oil gilding and water gilding techniques are both used. Oil gilding is used for general decoration and with appropriate preparation oil gilding can be applied to most building surfaces, both indoors and out. Water gilding is a more elaborate process requiring greater preparation, but its elegance and refinement of finish are unsurpassed. Water gilding is used mainly for picture frames, furniture, religious artefacts, sculpture, objets d’art and also for the embellishment of stately buildings. A decorative artist knows how to use these fascinating techniques to produce the best possible finish, and these skills should only be used by a first class professional gilder, such as Decowell restoration.
Another technique used by craftsmen is graining and marbling. Marbling and graining is the painting of a surface, to give the appearance that it is made of wood or marble. The technique is at least 4000 years old, and consists of adding successive layers of transparent paint (glaze) to build up the illusion of depth and luminosity. The total effect can be simply stunning. Graining and marbling has been increasing in popularity, and now it is a technique used in many houses, as well as part of a restoration process.
An accomplished decorative artist can also produce breathtaking pieces of work such as murals, including trompe l’oeil, where the eye can be deceived into seeing an effect which is not actually there. This is down to the skill of the professional decorative artist and some stunning examples can be seen at Decowell Restoration, for example where you can look out onto scenery and almost believe it is real. This takes a highly skilled decorative artist to produce this magnificent effect.
About the Author
If you are looking for an authentic gilder to apply gold leaf on a variety of surfaces then contact us now for a professional decorative artist
Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.
If you are looking for an authentic gilder to apply gold leaf on a variety of surfaces then contact us now for a professional decorative artist
Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.
