The process of attaching gold leaf involves first priming the area where the gold is to be applied with an under-painting coat. Traditionally this involved a reddish clay, but I utilize a very matte terra-cotta acrylic paint. Once the under-painting has dried, I apply a thin layer of adhesive. The adhesive looks like watered-down Elmer's Glue, but dries clear and slightly tacky. The leaf... which comes in a small booklet of 4x4" squares is simply applied to the tacky surface and gently brushed so that it adheres. By brushing a little more vigorously the excess leaf will fall away wherever there is no adhesive. Edges can be cleaned up with a stylus or even an X-acto blade. The gold can be burnished making it glow further... or it can be applied in several layers making for subtle variations. It can also be sanded with very fine sand paper allowing for the reddish ground to show through which gives the work a somewhat weathered or aged look. I employ this technique a good deal. True gold leaf is quite expensive considering the current gold market value... but gold-colored metal leaf which works in the same way is far less expensive.
I have several files that I continue to add reference photos to. I had thought of an image of the Goddess, Diana, as well as Pandora... but it seems the I am currently leaning toward a couple of nudes as Flora and Fauna with the notion of decking the pair out with a wealth of flowers and butterflies... and a sort of saccharine Rococo fantasy gone mad. At least that is my thinking at the moment.
