The application process is divided into 2 parts The first being fixing any gesso related facial problems . In this area one learns how to clean and prepare the gesso for accepting the Gold. Once that criteria has been met, We then move into the 2nd part . Where the gesso is now prepared to accept the Gold. The gesso must be polished to a high gloss before the Gold is applied
In order for the gesso to accept the Gold, the gessoed object must be activated by breathing on it. This will provide the necessary tack through water moisture/glue tack to allow the Gold to adhere to the gesso. This procedure is accomplished by breathing on the gesso. It is done through a breathing tube directed in a specific area on the gessoed object , quickly applying the patent Gold as shown in the above demo.
The gesso stays hygroscopic for approximately 7 seconds before it looses its ability to attach the Gold to the gesso. As the demo demonstrates the process has to be done quickly. Using a breathing tube,glassine,reverse tweezers, patent Gold makes the application procedure more manageable.
My book provides very specific information relating to the actual preparation of the gesso. If the foundation of the gesso is not addressed in the preparation of the formula, the Gold in most instances will not adhere to the gesso in the application stage..
It is for this reason, users including those teaching the subject attempt to overload the gesso with glue or sugar or both in order to get the gesso to work in attaching the leaf. When all else fails, its conveniently , blamed on the weather, or the participant did not make the gesso correct in the first place. !
The problem we are faced with as the above scenario becomes commonplace is that the gesso is being modified in the preparation stage .That is an indicator that something is wrong.. In theory if that were to continue, you could have a class of 20 students having 20 different gessos, and that is totally unnaceptable.
