Gold Leaf Workshops
In my desire to pass on this knowledge to other craftsmen and Craftswomen, I regularly hold Gold Leaf workshops at my studios in Torquay, Devon . I have been teaching this craft since 1995 and to date have taught over 3500 students around the world. I teach 4 students at a time in both the 4 day and 2 day classes. I also teach 1 to 1 workshops. I mainly teach techniques of glass decoration that I have researched over the last 39 years.
These Gold Leaf workshops are to my knowledge the only place where you can cover ALL of the required disciplines to execute an authentic “Victorian” reverse glass sign. You will leave the studio with a full palette of almost magical glass recipes, fully equipped to continue and develop this wonderful art form. You will also leave with a beautiful gilded glass sign that you will make on this course. I look forward to meeting and teaching you along with helping you to keep these crafts alive for generations to come. Thank you. David A Smith MBE
Support with funding
There is fantastic support from a number of amazing organisations . QEST and the Heritage Crafts supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through traditional college courses, vocational training, apprenticeships and one-to-one training with a master craftsperson; helping to support Britain’s cultural heritage and sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts.
I've had the most amazing time over the last four days. You're a serious wealth of knowledge and it's amazing that your willing to share it so generously.
- Craig Brown
... an incredible experience with gracious hosts. High value with insights gained that were so much more than expected and have had an immediate impact on my business.
- Scott Martin , Canada
I feel very privileged to have attended a Dave Smith workshop and learned from the master craftsman himself. An excellent teacher of glass work gilding with a fun sense of humour!
- Paul Walters , Christchurch , New Zealand
The skills and techniques that I've learned in Dave's workshops have empowered me to go out confidently into the world and craft long lasting, high quality signs. Ever genorous with his time and knowledge, the experience is 100% invaluable!
- Jack Hollands, London, England
A true master of his craft! Dave has an incredible depth of knowledge and an amazing skill set. It's rare in this day and age to find someone with such a skill set that crosses multi design disciplines and who's down to earth and willing to share his secrets.It's inspiring to watch his passion for the craft and highly recommend the course! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity
- Will Lynes, Sydney, Australia
Theses workshops will include the following processes:
Decorative Paint Effects, Brilliant Cutting to add details to letter centres and corners of panels. Abalone , Mother of Pearl application, Damar Varnish textures, brush blended Shades, Gold Leaf blending in oil size and also water size gilding, Screen Printing, Pictorial painting, Glazes and Mica effects, Acid etching in various textures, Signwriting, Blended shadows both brush and finger blending, Stippling. Ashaltum Glazes
Accommodation
In Torquay like all holiday destinations we have some great hotels and Guest houses to choose from. There are many places to stay which are in walking distance of my studio . These range from AirB&B’s , Hotels and Luxury self catering holiday apartments.
The apartments at The Villa Capri are our neighbours next door to the studios along with a large hotel the other side called The Headland Hotel which also has Hydro Spa facility. Please contact me for these details and other accomodation information for this area before you book your stay in Torquay.
Food
Lunch will be provided ( Please advise in advance of any food allergies ) Vegetarian or Vegan option can also be offered. Teas , coffees, cold drinks and plenty of biscuits! are offered all day on the class.
Evening Meals
There are local restaurants very close to my area along with many Fish and Chip shops and other takeaway facilities. A list will be provided for you.
4 Day Glass Gilding Workshop (also suitable for Beginners)
This Workshop is between 35 and 45 hours long.
Over four days you will learn some of the most interesting old fashioned reverse glass processes. We will be covering many different gilding,painting and embossing techniques to create a unique piece of reverse glass art. In the past such themes have been Confectionary, Whiskey, Art Nouveau and Victorian to name but a few. This workshop is based on original Ephemera advertising billhead designs and old fashioned gilded letters that have inspired me for many years.
The workshop will involve 9 hour long days, but they are fun days and are taught at a nice steady and relaxed pace.
The class is incredibly enjoyable and rewarding and you will be amazed with the finished results and the glass sign that you will be taking home with you. I can honestly say every workshop I have held here at my studio I have made new friends , these workshops hold a lovely creative atmosphere over the 4 days of learning.
In this class the following techniques being taught are:
Hand Crafted Reverse Glass Sign
- Water Gilding (traditional gilding tip method and various other application techniques for applying loose gold leaf)
- Oil Gilding,(matt finishes)
- Blending of gradients of gold leaf both water gild and matt blends.
- Sign writing
- Screen printing
- Wheel cutting and polishing (brilliant cutting)
- Application of Abalone inlay (mother-of-pearl)
- Shading and blending letters and backgrounds
- Colour combinations, how to choose the right balance.
- Drop Shadows screen printed and hand painted
- Mica colour shading into gold size
- Marbling and finger blending
- Acid etching
- Water marbling
- Transparent Glazes
- Building the artwork, old and new techniques
The glass sign dimensions will change according to the themed project, but rough dimensions are 480 x 630mm. You will also take home a beautiful handmade mahogany frame that finishes off the completed work.
Gold Leaf to bring with you
3 Different shades of Gold Leaf required
- 4 books of 23 ct (LOOSE) Gold Leaf
1 book of 18 ct (TRANSFER) Gold Leaf .
1 book of 12 ct (LOOSE) gold leaf. (White Gold)
Handover Brushes London and Gold Leaf Supplies Wales and many other companies around the world supply these materials. I use standard Goldleaf for this workshop you do not need the top end product.
Glass, mother-of-pearl, paint, gilding tools, brushes and all other tools will all be provided, but if you would prefer to bring your own brushes and gilding tools you are more than welcome to do this.
Support with funding
There is fantastic support from a number of amazing organisations . QEST and the Heritage Crafts supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through traditional college courses, vocational training, apprenticeships and one-to-one training with a master craftsperson; helping to support Britain’s cultural heritage and sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts.
2 Day Gold Leaf on Glass Workshops
2 Day Workshop. (20 hours long)
During these two days, everything will be made by hand. These workshops will cover the traditional hand brush skills of painting letters in reverse on gold leaf. The classes are extremely rewarding, you will be making two 300 x 300 mm Victorian glass sign letters and learning many techniques throughout these 2 days. I must stress that this course is suitable for any level of artistic ability, from beginner to experienced artist. Class sizes will be small in number to ensure that full attention is given to each student.
2 Day Workshop (20 hours)
We’ll be covering the following processes.
- Water Gilding (traditional gilding tip and cushion method, other application techniques)
- Oil Gilding
- Sign writing in reverse
- Glass edge scalloping
- Brush control
- Gold leaf blending ,water and oil (matt) finishes
- Colour combinations
- Mother of Pearl inlays
- shading
- blending
- Screen Printing
- and more…
- Glass, mother-of-pearl, paint, gilding tools and brushes will be provided, but if you would prefer to bring your own brushes and gilding tools you are welcome to!
Materials to Bring.
- You will need to bring the following LOOSE gold leaf:
- 3 books of 23 ct ( LOOSE ) Gold leaf
- 1 book of 18 ct Transfer Gold leaf
- 1 book of 12 ct ( LOOSE ) Gold leaf
A selection of photos from previous workshops.
New Workshop Dates for the 2023 Glass Gilding Workshops at my studios in Torquay Devon.
These new dates will come out in late February 2023. There are currently 82 students waiting in line
for these courses.
The courses are for both Beginners and Advanced artists with only 3 to 4 students per class.
Please email me for prices and any other information needed at . davidadriansmith@icloud.com
Online Workshops.
If you would like to learn this craft sooner I have now launched an Online version
which covers many techniques and processes that are taught on the studio workshops.
The class is 52 hours long and is yours to keep forever. This is the only Glass gilding workshop in the world to cover
all the techniques in one Online lesson. This class is filmed in such a way that you will feel like
I am with you throughout all the lessons. I would like to assure you that you will not be disappointed.
I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn this craft.
The Online class is priced at a very low cost to help people. You will get more than your money’s worth I promise you!
Click the link (Online Classes) on the front page of the website to find out more information.