Sepp - Kolner Burnishing Clay For Gilding
Kolner Burnishing Clay For Gilding
Build luminous gilded surfaces with pre-mixed clay that needs no glue
English clays ground to exacting fineness create a burnishing surface that brings metal leaf to mirror-bright perfection. Sepp Kolner clay arrives ready to use, no mixing glue or sizing into powder, no waiting for adhesives to cure. Apply it directly to prepared gesso surfaces, let it dry completely, then burnish your gold or silver leaf to achieve the reflective brilliance that distinguishes traditional water gilding from simpler adhesive methods.
The clay itself provides the crucial foundation for burnishing. Its ultra-smooth surface allows the burnisher to compress and polish metal leaf without catching or tearing, transforming matte leaf into luminous metal that reflects light like polished jewelry. Mix colors to create custom undertones: blend warm red clay with cooler tones to achieve the exact base hue you want showing through translucent gold leaf.
These clays also function as colored grounds for oil size gilding when you want tinted undertones without the burnishing step. Apply thin layers with soft brushes, building up smooth coats that dry hard and stable. Each 3.4 oz container provides enough clay for substantial gilding projects, from icon panels to decorative frames. Traditional water gilders and contemporary artists working with metal leaf both rely on this clay for results that match historical gilding techniques.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
- Pre-mixed English clay, no glue needed
- 3.4 oz. ready-to-use formula
- Mix colors for custom undertones
- Works as base for oil gilding
- Creates professional burnished finish
- Imparts undertones to finished leaf work
