I have bitten the bullet this morning and actually begun preparation for the gilding element of the project I mentioned in a previous post. I am afraid that a number of compromises are going to be necessary.
Naturally, I went back to the text-book on ikons and wall painting. The experience has been rather deterring. The author doesn’t appear to allow for work on the scale I am contemplating, or the relative scarcity of some of the materials I will need. The recipe for the glue base required for the initial stage of guilding contemplates the need for a pint of it. A dessert spoonful would do for me. Then the purist would be working with rabbit-skin glue. First catch your rabbit? I doubt that my local art shop runs to that.* I think we are facing the need for several compromises here.
It is encouraging, however, to be actually working again, and for there to be a concrete project in view. As usual, my engagement with art has to be negotiated in relation to other demands on my time. Yesterday I found myself sorting out my clothes, replacing the summer wardrobe from the winter one. I have often wondered where all this stuff comes from. The answer, of course, is that I never throw anything away, and I have outfits which have been with me for thirty years or more. I have the same problem with art works, in that I have a garage full of things the future of which, shall we say, is doubtful.
*Actually, it is interesting that once you reach a certain level of technical adventure in several branches of art, you discover that the nearest supplier is in London. That will certainly be the case when I need to replace my pigments.