IAMPETH 2025 - Gesso and Dragons - Toni Watts

ALL SKILL LEVELS | ENGROSSING

In this class, you will learn how to use traditional manuscript gesso, applying gold leaf to the raised surface and burnishing it to a beautiful mirror shine. Once you have perfected this technique, areas of raised gilding could be used to enhance any piece of calligraphy, be it traditional or modern, created with a broad or pointed nib.

As this is a medieval technique, what better way to kickstart your gesso journey than a traditional illuminated letter with a dragon? We’ll take the process step-by-step, discussing how to reconstitute dried gesso, the ideal consistency, and the best way of laying this viscous liquid. You’ll learn how to apply the gold leaf and how — and when — to polish it.

The areas you will gild in class are small, allowing time for the gesso to dry and enabling us to add paint to complete the design. If you have prior experience with gesso and want to try something more challenging, don’t worry — there will be a second dragon design for you to work on!

CLASS SUPPLIES

• Lead-free manuscript gesso (not acrylic gesso)
• A small pot with a lid (approx. 1” in diameter, such as a dappen dish)
• Dropper bottle filled with clean water
• Sewing pin/micro-spatula for mixing gesso
• Scalpel with a curved blade
• 3-4 sheets of 23 or 24 carat (patent) gold leaf (not imitation)
• Soft makeup brush or soft dry paintbrush for dusting off gold flakes
• Agate burnisher or completely smooth tumbled gemstone
• Two sheets of 140lb hot pressed watercolor paper
• 9”x12” lightweight tracing paper
• Two water jars
• 3-4 paper towels or a rag for drying brushes
• 2H and 2B pencil
• Pencil sharpener
• Kneadable eraser
• Paintbrushes with a very fine point (sizes 3/0 and 1)
• Gouache:
  • Black and white
  • Two additional colors of your choice (instructor will use Mars Red and Ultramarine Blue)
• Old brush for mixing paint
• Palette

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

• Drafting tape
• A small quantity of clove oil
• Saral transfer paper
• Face mask (recommended due to small amounts of dust)
• Magnifying glass, optivisor, or similar
• If completing the second dragon design:
  • Green gouache (or a third color of your choice)
  • For outlining the design, bring:
    • Paint and a brush
    • Pointed pen and ink OR a black fine-liner