Gilding and Patina

Gilding and Patinating – Luxurious Effects for Your Artwork

Gilding gives your artwork the luxurious shine of gold, silver, or copper. Patinating creates the effect of an old, weathered surface. At ARTMiE, you’ll find gilding leaf (gold leaf), patinating pastes, waxes, and specialty mediums from Pentart, KREUL, and Pebeo.

What Do We Offer?

• Gold and Silver Leaf – genuine and imitation, for frames, furniture, and art
• Gilding Waxes – for edges, details, and reliefs
• Patinating Pastes – for an antique effect
• Gilding Adhesives (Mixtion) – specialty glue for leaf

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between metal leaf and liquid gold?

Metal leaf from PENTART creates an authentic metallic effect with a high-shine finish. It must be applied with special gilding adhesive. Liquid gold, such as the kind from KREUL, is a thick paint with metallic pigments. Apply it easily with a brush, without glue. It’s ideal for quick details or highlighting the edges of your project.

How do you properly seal a gilded surface to prevent oxidation?

If you’re working with genuine metal leaf, oxidation is a natural process. To stop it, apply a special gilding varnish to your finished piece. We recommend using a water-based varnish from PENTART, which creates a protective layer. For synthetic leaf, a regular finishing varnish is enough to seal the surface and prevent damage or loss of shine.

What is patinating paste used for, and how do you apply it?

ARTMiE® patinating paste is used to highlight reliefs and create an antique look. Apply a small amount of paste directly to the raised areas of the object with a soft cloth or brush. Then gently spread it so it settles into the creases. This creates depth and contrast, giving your decorative piece a professional vintage look without a complicated technique.

Which glue should you use when working with metal leaf?

For successful gilding, you need special glue for metal leaf, also known as mixtion. Apply it in a thin, even layer to a clean surface. Wait until it becomes transparent and slightly tacky to the touch, which usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Then carefully place the metal leaf and gently smooth it down with a dry brush.

Can you patinate surfaces other than wood?

Yes, KREUL or ARTMiE® patinating pastes work well on a range of materials, including metal, ceramic, plaster, and plastic. The surface must be clean and dry. If it’s very smooth, such as glass or metal, we recommend lightly sanding it first or applying a primer so the paste adheres better and creates the desired effect.

From Our Blog

How to Gild or Patinate Artwork?