GOLD SCHOOL
A new series of workshops designed to help you get to grips with the magic of gold leaf
Who?
Who’s your teacher in Gold School? Its a faculty of just one, me! Archie Proudfoot.
I’ve been using gold leaf in my artwork and professionally as a sign painter for over twelve years.
In that time gold has become an elemental part of my practice, a unifying material that runs across the broad range of work I do from screen print editions, to signs for shops.
Who can attend Gold School? The short answer is anyone. As long you can hold a brush you can be involved. No previous experience is necessary.
What?
In this opening series of workshops in Gold School we’ll be focusing on learning all about oil gilding with 23.5 carat transfer leaf.
Once we’ve applied the gold to the panel the real fun begins when I show you how to shape it like a pro and create a 3D effects with a bit of velvet.
At the end of the day you go home with your finished panel framed and ready to hang on the wall and show off to your friends and family.
Where?
Gold School is hosted in my North London studio, located close to Seven Sisters station.
I’ve been in this space for over five years, its a classic repurposed old factory building filled with different artists and creatives of all disciplines.
Each group is limited to just four participants to ensure a peaceful atmosphere where I can give each student as much guidance and support as they need.
Why?
Why learn how to gild? Gold leaf has been used for centuries to enrich objects of all kinds from tiny prayer books to whole palaces.
Now you can go away with the skills to bring a golden touch to whatever project you choose.
Why a skull? I want the piece you take home to act as a kind of Momento Mori, a reminder that you’re going to die one day.
This isn’t a morbid thought, its a reminder to live fully and try new things, like learning how to gild!
When?
Take a look at the upcoming dates for Gold School workshops. Each date is limited to just four participants.
Make sure you sign up to my newsletter to find about first about future sessions.
FAQs
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Nothing! All of the materials and tools you’ll use on the day are included in the price of the course.
Just wear comfortable clothing that it would be ok if it got a bit of paint on.
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My studio is based in North London near Seven Sisters tube station. If you are driving there is some parking available out front.
Detailed instructions on how to find me are sent out once you book onto the course.
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For these workshops I’m going to keep everyone on the same structure: a directionally burnished gold skull.
But although everyone will work with the same base design, each skull will be unique to you. No two gilds are the same. And in the final outlining stage you can choose your own colour and style of mark making to further individualise your work.
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Gilding is the name for the broad category of applying gold leaf to things.
There are many different kinds of gilding and techniques for applying the gold leaf.
In these workshops we focus on surface gilding using an oil based gold size.