Exploring the Art of Water Gilding with Marie Louise Wrightson

How One Artist Taught Herself This Ancient Tradition

 

In the hands of Scottish artist Marie Louise Wrightson, traditional techniques are far more than just heritage—they’re integral to the magic of her art. Known for her whimsical and luxurious paintings inspired by fairy tales, tea parties, and curious characters, Wrightson’s work shimmers not just with imagination, but also with literal gold. One of the most striking features in many of her pieces is the glowing brilliance of water gilding—a centuries-old technique that she masterfully brings into the contemporary art world.

But what exactly is water gilding, and why is it so special?

A Glimpse into the Past

Water gilding is a time-honoured technique that dates back to antiquity and reached its pinnacle in the opulent frames, icons, and religious art of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Unlike simpler modern gilding methods, water gilding is labor-intensive, delicate, and incredibly refined. It allows artists to apply pure gold leaf in a way that creates an extraordinarily smooth, mirror-like surface that glows with an unmistakable luminosity.

Marie Louise Wrightson employs this traditional process not as a novelty, but as a central element in her practice. The gold elements in her work aren’t just decorative—they evoke the richness of old-world storytelling, the enchantment of fairy tales, and the preciousness of memory and imagination.

The Water Gilding Process: Layer by Layer

At its heart, water gilding is a meticulous layering process that requires patience, skill, and deep knowledge of materials. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how Wrightson transforms a wooden panel into a luminous canvas for her art:

1. Preparing the Surface – The Gesso Ground

The first step is to prepare the wooden surface with gesso—a smooth, chalky mixture of animal glue and whiting (a type of finely ground chalk). This creates the perfect base for the gold leaf, sealing the wood and providing a soft surface that can later be polished to a high sheen.

Wrightson applies several thin layers of gesso, allowing each one to dry before sanding it smooth. This step alone can take several days, but it’s essential for the flawless finish that follows.

2. Applying the Bole – A Touch of Colour Beneath the Gold

Next comes bole, a finely ground clay mixed with glue. Typically red or yellow, bole not only provides a rich undertone that enhances the warm glow of the gold leaf but also helps the leaf adhere. Wrightson often uses red bole, which adds depth and warmth beneath the final gilded surface, subtly influencing the overall feel of the piece.

3. Water Gilding – Where the Magic Happens

Now the gold leaf itself is applied. The artist activates the surface by brushing it with a water and alcohol mixture, which reactivates the glue in the bole. Then, with incredible care, she lays down ultra-thin sheets of genuine 22 or 23 carat gold leaf.

It’s a demanding step—gold leaf is so delicate it can be blown away by a breath or cling to fingertips. Yet when applied properly, it fuses beautifully with the prepared surface.

4. Burnishing – Bringing Out the Shine

Once dry, selected areas of the gold are burnished using a polished agate stone. This brings out that characteristic mirror shine seen in Wrightson’s gilded details. The result is an enchanting contrast between the softly glowing matte areas and the high-gloss brilliance of burnished gold.

 

Tradition Meets Imagination

Marie Louise Wrightson’s use of water gilding is more than technical bravura—it’s a poetic choice. The gold in her work elevates everyday objects and imaginary characters, wrapping them in the timeless glow of nostalgia, luxury, and fantasy. In a world often rushed and digital, her devotion to such an ancient, slow process feels both rebellious and romantic.

For Wrightson, water gilding is not just about surface beauty—it’s a way of connecting with artistic history while crafting something entirely her own. Each gilded surface she creates carries with it a whisper of the past and a sparkle of something entirely magical.