Jerry Tresser Cortona, Italy March 31 - April 7, 2012
Join Jerry Tresser for a week-long flat & raised gilding workshop in the medieval Tuscan hilltown of Cortona, Italy!
Jerry will teach methods for flat gilding by using a prepared gold size which can accommodate most any metals including aluminum, copper, variegated gold, etc. as well as some of the more esoteric applications of gum ammoniac, shell gold, and gold powder. Jerry will also demonstrate the formula and secret of dying vellum a deep burgundy or blue.
During the 14th through the 16th centuries, raised gilding in manuscripts and in books were reserved for royalty. These manuscript pages made out of vellum were dyed a deep burgundy which was a great luxury that included both flat and raised gilding reserved exclusively for kings and queens. Flat and raised methods of applying gold were employed to enhance the beauty of the lettering in the manuscripts and the paintings. The philosophy of using gold was to provide light which was considered the stairway to heaven.
There were many methods for applying gold to manuscripts. The most concise and non esoteric application was provided in Cennini’s The Art of the Book also known as The Craftsman’s Handbook dated 1396 during the height of the Italian renaissance. Through a variety of interpretations leading up to the 20th century, Graily Hewitt redeveloped Cennini’s formula and provided a new interpretation. It is here where we begin.
In 1992, Jerry wrote The Technique of Raised Gilding in which he provides fresh data including a modern approach to understanding the preparation of gesso, the application of the gesso, and the inclusion of gold. The end result provides an illuminated object raised with a brilliant shine. This is considered, the highest form of gilding relating to manuscripts and books.
Sunday Gold and how to apply it. The tools used to apply these assorted metals to the gilding sizes and gesso's. The students will be introduced to the gilders knife, the tip and the pad. How to transfer the gold, advantages and disadvantages of these materials... The use of Patent gold which is easier to handle... We will also use and demonstrate how to use the variegated metals in all the colors: red, blue, green, black and time permitting, aluminum, copper and fake gold...
The afternoon will provide a hands on experience with using the traditional preparation of gum ammoniac as written about in the 14th century treatise " De Arte Illuminandi". Our first attempt at flat gilding.
Monday Morning will be a continuation of Sundays afternoon session with some additional information about using gum ammoniac with a resist.
The afternoon will be devoted to using my gold size which I developed for flat gilding that has many different avenues for use. Mondays afternoon will give us time to re asses the flat methods employed as well as an introduction of the use of Glair into our gilded examples.
Tuesday Day trip to Siena
Wednesday Morning will open the doors for a lecture and an extensive discussion relating to the highest form of manuscript gilding: raised gilding... We will set the stage for providing information on 3 principles elements: The preparation, the application and the gilding. Each stage will get in depth information and a visual demonstration on how the mix is prepared.
The afternoon will be devoted to understanding and trying the gesso in the application stage. Understanding what is necessary for the gesso to move into the gilding stage... The tools required and the little nuances that will make the final stage most enjoyable.
Thursday In the morning, we move into the application stage again to reinforce our learnings , clean up any noticeable imperfections in the gesso and then move into the final stage of applying the gold...
The afternoon will provide us with an opportunity to burnish the gold on to the gesso, understand the use of the different burnishers and produce a nice small gilded piece as a first trial.
Friday In the morning we will apply the gesso, prepare its readiness for receiving the gold and gild. I would like to devote some additional time in this morning session to explain methods for dying vellum a deep burgundy to blue that was reserved for royalty during the14th century as well as giving some personal information on increasing ones strength in raised gilding.
The afternoon will allow us to complete the drying process of the mornings gesso, gild and burnish and leave any uncertainties answered with a question and answer period and additional hands on experience! Handouts will be also be given to provide a source of information.
This is a hands-on workshop for the beginner and experienced. No calligraphic skill is necessary.
-Arrival and Check-in in Cortona at assigned three-star hotel or hostel.
-7:30p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta.
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at La Locanda nel Loggiato
Sunday - Cortona
-9:00a-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Monday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Tuesday - Siena
-Day trip with lunch provided and visit to view illuminated manuscripts
-8:00p Dinner
Wednesday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Thursday Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Friday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch
3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session
-8:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona
Saturday – Cortona
-Visit the outdoor market in Cortona - optional
-Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay!
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate. Note: Transfers are provided only for programmed meals and activities away from the hotel. Note: All guests are responsible for handling their own luggage/baggage....we suggest to pack light. Note: No refunds are given for any unused aspects of the itinerary or for any activities outside the above itinerary.
All-inclusive* workshop includes:
Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona March 31, 2012**** Instruction in the classroom and on location Seven nights three-star accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Day trip to Siena to view Illuminated manuscripts A farewell wine tasting dinner Selected guilding materials
**Included with "Hotel" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time from Florence airport only; time to be announced, return train ticket to Florence provided (not escorted) *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Three-star Hotel plans... All-inclusive w/ private room/bath & Group Meal Plan...$2999.00 per person! $2899.00 per person double occupancy w/Group Meal Plan! Special Non-participant rates!
Jerry Tresser has been involved in the scribal arts for well over 30 years. His first love however, is for letterforms. He studied with Herman Zapf, Sheila Waters, and Imre Schwemmel. He specialize in the calligraphic arts however, gilding became His forte. He has participated as a teacher in several of the international calligraphy conventions as well as the upcoming IAMPETH penman convention in Orlando, Florida. Participated as faculty member of the New School in New York City offering courses in manuscript illumination. Jerry won first and second place awards in the MAC juried calligraphy awards show. His work has been exhibited at the World Trade Center in New Orleans, LA as well as being offered a one man show on Lettering and Illumination. Several of his works have been published in a variety of lettering art books, and calligraphy calendars. He have written a variety of articles relating to raised gilding in such publications as the Gilders Tip magazine which is a part of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, Bound & Lettered a John Neal publication and numerous calligraphy society newsletters as well as small demo videos on YouTube.
Over the years Jerry has provided different calligraphy groups workshops on flat and raised gilding totaling over 30 appearances including a very large audience in New York City sponsored by the Society of Scribes at the School of Visual Arts.
Participant Supply List
22K OR 23K PATENT GOLD, A FEW SHEETS OF 2 PLY SMOOTH BRISTOL, SOME FINE QUALLITY 00, 1 BRUSHES, A JAR OF WATER, SOME PAPER TOWELS AND WHATEVER GILDING SUPPLIES INCLUDING BURNISHERS YOU MAY HAVE. PEN AND PAPER FOR NOTES. A SMALL PIECE OF SILK, SMALL T –SQUARE, AND A SMALL MOP BRUSH . ALTHOUGH I DON’T USE LOOSE GOLD, IF YOU HAVE A CUSHION, KNIFE AND TIP, IT CERTAINLY CAN BE USED. I WILL BRING OTHER MATERIALS WITH ME.
PAINTS, GOUACHE OR WATERCOLOR OR BOTH. , SEVERAL SHOT GLASSES OR DAPPEN DISHES…I WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ON HAND FOR SALE IF NEEDED
…. Jerry has PHOTOS OF ALL THE MATERIALS THAT ARE ESSESNTIAL.. EMAIL Jerry AT:
