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Stop Ruining your Gold Leaf! (3 Critical Fixes)

Louise Dean - Artist

7,219 views

Avoid these 3 common gold-leaf mistakes that can ruin your artwork! Whether you’re experimenting with new materials or refining your technique, this video shows you EXACTLY what not to do when brushing, sealing, and handling leaf.
I’ll walk you through each mistake with demos, personal tips, and real-life fails — so you can avoid the flaking, lifting, cracking, and drama! ✨
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
01:04 Mistake #1 – Wrong glue
07:31 Mistake #2 – Using the incorrect or no sealant
11:15 Mistake #3 – Tarnishing over time
15:43 Final thoughts and Review
🎬 Watch the full Gold-Leaf Mistakes Trilogy
➡ Part 1: 3 Gold Leaf Mistakes to Avoid – Beginner T...
➡ Part 3: The Ultimate Gold Leaf Rescue Guide (3 Pro...
📺 Full playlist: Gold-Leaf Mistakes Series (Parts 1–3)

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For more of the materials and tools I regularly use in my gold leaf and painting projects, browse my Amazon Storefront:
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As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
IN THIS VIDEO:
Standard Imitation Goldleaf https://amzn.to/3Sg7r6I
Size (the specialist glue needed to use Metalleaf) - I prefer Polyvine https://amzn.to/43zakGP crylic Brushes
Protective Cotton gloves https://amzn.to/3F6hIzF
Sealant/Varnish https://amzn.to/45CRMpC
Flat brushes for Glueing and Varnishing https://amzn.to/45CS3ZG

#goldleaf #goldleafart #paintingmistakes #arttutorial #acrylicpainting #artisttips

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#goldleaf #gilding #paintingmistakes #arttutorial #acrylicpainting #artisttips

14 Comments

@LouiseDeanArtist Creator 1 month ago Pinned

Hi Everyone :_WiseOwl: Want to discover even more important tips for perfecting your Gold Leaf Work? check out my Series of 3 Essential Tutorials, Louise
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXU_cyhPkS3bsmqqYA-64sRSzHPhRsEDK

@LouiseDeanArtist Creator 8 months ago

✨ ART SUPPLIES I USE ✨
🇺🇸 US viewers:
https://amazon.com/shop/louisedean-artist
🇬🇧 UK viewers:
https://amazon.co.uk/shop/louisedean-artist
I also mention specialist art & gold leaf suppliers in the video description where Amazon isn’t the best fit.
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting the channel 💛 Louise)

@kathyian1 4 months ago

Brilliant tutorials. May I ask, if I put a little gold leave on an acrylic painting is it OK to varnish the whole piece with the varnish?

@maldoori238 5 months ago (edited)

Hi Louise thank you for a very informative video 😊if I applied the size and forgot about it for a day, do I need to apply a new layer before I apply the gold leaf? Thank you 🙏

@LouiseDeanArtist Creator 10 months ago

✨ Continue the trilogy ➜
Part 1: https://youtu.be/jo_bn8CE-hw

Part 3: https://youtu.be/pH66lNmEbV0
📺 Watch the full Gold-Leaf Mistakes Playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXU_cyhPkS3bsmqqYA-64sRSzHPhRsEDK
💛 Thanks for watching — let me know which mistake you’ve made before! Louise x

@Ellewalks9497 11 months ago

Hi Louise, love your videos!
I’m making some decorations with gold leaf bits on, so they’re likely to be touched fairly frequently. Earrings too.
Would you recommend just using the decorators varnish on it’s own or adding final coat of gloss spray (I’ve had decent results with hycote acrylic gloss spray in the past on its own, but tempted by the Polyvine varnish as well)
I used another varnish - liquitex, before, but I wasn’t thrilled with the results… maybe I didn’t let it cure properly 🤔
Thank yooouuu!!

@elizabethmostert 2 months ago

can you put another gold leave layer on top of goldleave to fix first layer?

@julialundman 7 months ago

I’ve been using Miniatum for smaller details like an arched border, but have been frustrated because most of the gold sticks but there are smaller places and gaps where it just doesn’t. I end up reapplying, but don’t like that because then the surface is uneven. I’ll try the size you recommend- have you tried Miniatum by Kolinor?

@PrimordialEmpress 9 months ago

So the poly one decoration varnish stops the gold leaf from tarnishing forever?

@pheonixrose2995 1 year ago

How were they stored improperly? How should they be stored ?

@pheonixrose2995 1 year ago (edited)

I find different gold leaf did not do as well with glue for another . I bought a kit on Amazon Erigathe was small shiny gold leaf I love. Thru are only about 3.5x3.5 inches and Barnabas Blattgold says Ginest Metal Leaf these are 6x6inches but a light gold not very shiny. Nice having more coverage but I prefer the bolder shiny gold. It’s more delicate than the first when painting on and handling after. Perhaps I need to varnish then paint on it ? I had to use Soooo many tiny squares on each bauble so that’s why I bought the large. But again… disappointing to not get the bright bold shiny gold I fell in love with

@ronasmith8687 11 months ago

Can I use gold leaf on chark paint, as highlight? What sealant would you recommend?

@carystapp3006 6 months ago

You didn’t let the first two adhesives to even get remotely tacky, of course they brushed off. Then the “right” way you left it for at least 15 minutes to get tacky. You can’t do two different processes and claim one product is better than the other.