Silver Gilding

Here are two frames gilded with silver leaf. The gilding here is oil laid using a long drying oil to obtain the brightest finish.

Creating a worn antique finish on oil gilding can be quite tricky and easily spoilt. There are no burnishing effects or leaf overlaps to show but sometimes these in themselves can be a bit of a cliche.

Both frames are heavily toned and polished and then matched up to some very early watercolours.