Last Updated on: July 10th, 2024
Throughout human art history, we have been using metal leaves to create mesmerizing designs and decorations, and gilding techniques have been treasured all over the world. Metal leaf creates a luster finish that fascinates people and sometimes it’s even advocated as eternity.
Metals are precious and heavy, so they need to be pounded and stretched thinly into metal leaves for easy use in various forms, from paintings to sculptures; in Japan, unique processing and technical methods have been established for various uses and expressions, including ornaments, temple architecture, Buddhist statues, paintings and furnishings.
In addition to metal materials such as gold, silver, copper, tin, aluminum and platinum, there are also alloys, as well as new types of tinted metal leaves called Shinkohaku, which are made by dyeing silver leaf, so they can add more colorful sparkles to our daily lives.
Although we are surrounded by products and artworks decorated with metal leaves, there may be few opportunities to learn about the techniques.
Therefore, PIGMENT TOKYO regularly holds workshops where beginners can learn Japanese metal leaf techniques through lectures and hands-on workshops.
This time I would like to introduce our workshop called “Introduction to Metal Leaf.”
Introduction to Metal Leaf (90 minutes)
Schedule: Once a month on Sunday
*The schedule may vary. Please check the reservation page for more information.
Time: 14:00 — 15:30
Venue: PIGMENT TOKYO
Fee: ¥6,600 (including tax and materials)
Age recommendations: : Age 5 and up
Reservation: https://pigment.tokyo/en/collections/workshop
What to bring: None
<Ticket Options (Please select if you need this option)>
◾️ Parent/guardian seat (1 person): free of charge
One additional chair will be provided.
*Please note that there is a limit to the number of chairs available.
*One parent/guardian is allowed to sit with one student per workshop.
*Materials are not included (You can assist the participant during the workshop).
◾️Others
*Animal glue is used in this workshop. Feel free to ask the instructor if you prefer plant-based gum arabic as an alternative.
*This workshop is lectured in Japanese, however, an English handout will be provided for non-English speaking participants.
The workshop space
◾️Metal Leaf Technique : Preparation for Hiraoshi 14:00 — 14:10 (approx. 10 minutes)
Let's start working on the artwork. The first step is to decide the composition.
To help you concentrate on the metal leaf applications, we will provide you templates of a full moon and a silhouette of a person standing on a ridgeline. Feel free to move the Washi board around either vertically or horizontally.
You can make a composition by simply placing the templates, and also, their positioning and the way you sprinkle Sunago will create different depth and expression to the artwork. Therefore, the artwork can be arranged depending on how you would like to express it.
Furthermore, you will learn three techniques using two different types of metal leaf adhesives (glues). One is animal glue which is commonly used in Japanese traditional metal leafing and another one is a gilding size (Missione all'Acqua) which is a modern adhesive.
At the beginning of the workshop, you will start with the most basic technique of Japanese metal leafing called Hiraoshi which means applying metal leaf on a flat surface.
◾️Lecture : 14:10 — 14:25 (approx. 15 minutes)
Now, it is time to prepare for applying metal leaf.
Since a metal leaf is so thin that even the slightest breeze can cause it to fly off, it is easier to have your working station ready before applying it.
Furthermore, metal leaves will stick to our hands due to the oil on our skins, so in Japan, we carry the metal leaf using bamboo tweezers or with a transferring technique called "Akautsushi".
The process of Akautsushi transferring
Transferring a sheet of aluminum leaf with the wax paper.
Next, it is time to apply Hiraoshi.
Place an aluminum leaf on the area where the gilding size has been applied, then flatten the leaf gently with a cotton ball. Please note that rubbing too hard at this point may cause the delicate metal leaf to wrinkle, so try not to apply too much pressure to it.
Left image: Creating Kirihaku
Right image: Applying Kirihaku while applying animal glue with the tip of a brush
Left image: Aluminum leaf applied by Hiraoshi and Kirihaku techniques
Right image: Removing excess metal leaf after applying Hiraoshi
By creating areas with different densities of Sunago particles, the luminance can be varied.
Therefore, you may imagine what kind of scenery you want to create, whether if it’s a starry night full of stars or a star shining faintly in the darkness of dusk.
By only sprinkling the Sunago, the flakes are not yet fully adhered to the Washi board, therefore, you need to press down gently with Washi paper to make the Sunago adhere to the surface.
Here’s the final result, a small night sky spread out on black Washi paper.
This glowing artwork with shimmering light is created with only metal leaves.
We hope this will inspire you to spend a relaxing holiday where you can learn traditional techniques and only focus on making art! Moreover, this would be a great opportunity to learn about Japanese culture too!
PIGMENT TOKYO Workshop
Schedule:
・Introduction to Metal Leaf (Once in a month/ Sundays)
・Introduction to Mineral Pigments (Once in a month/ Sundays)
・Make Your Own Watercolors (Twice in a month/ Sundays)
Reservation: https://pigment.tokyo/en/collections/workshop
*The schedule may vary. Please check the reservation page for more information.
Translated by Atsumi Okano
PIGMENT TOKYO Art Materials Expert