Elena Rossi
Speedball's Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf is a composition leaf that is a high-quality alternative to pure gold leaf. The product is easy to apply and is used for metal leafing projects. It works well on flat surfaces such as wood, plastic, and paper. The simple leaf is fragile and thin, and requires an adhesive to be put down. The adhesive should be applied with a flat brush in an even, light coat. After applying the adhesive, you can place the gold leaf on top and use your fingers to rub and burnish it onto the surface. To protect the gold leaf and prevent it from tarnishing, a sealer should be applied. While the Speedball Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf is commonly used, some users have mentioned that it is prone to breakage and is not as sturdy as other brands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Speedball |
| Product | Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf |
| Size | 5-1/2 x 5-1/2 Inches |
| Pack size | 18 Pack |
| Colour | Gold, Silver, Copper, and variegated combinations |
| Adhesive | Mona Lisa Metal Leaf Adhesive |
| Application | Apply adhesive with a flat brush, wait 30 minutes, apply leaf with clean hands |
| Burnishing | Use fingers with firm pressure to rub and burnish the leaf onto the adhesive |
| Removal of excess leaf | Use a large soft mop brush to sweep away the surplus |
| Storage of excess leaf | Keep between two slip sheets or sheets of wax paper |
| Protection | Apply sealer with a flat brush to protect from tarnishing |
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What You'll Learn
Speedball Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf is easy to apply
The Speedball Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf is a composition leaf bonded with wax paper. It is a high-quality alternative to pure gold leaf. When applied to an area with adhesive, only the leaf touching the adhesive pulls free of the wax paper. This means that the excess leaf remains attached to the wax paper and can be reused, reducing waste. This transfer-style leaf is easier to handle and apply than traditional leaf without sacrificing results.
The Speedball Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf works on a variety of flat surfaces such as wood, plastic, and paper. It is ideal for beginners, with beautiful results that add a professional touch to abstract art. Customers have also found the product to be solid and lasting. The gold leaf is noted to have a nice luster and color, with one customer mentioning it looks like old brass.
To apply the Speedball Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf, use a flat brush to apply an even, light coat of adhesive to the area you want to decorate. Make sure there are no ridges, drips, or brush marks. After applying the adhesive, immediately wash the brush in cool, soapy water and rinse well. After about 5 minutes, when the adhesive is no longer milky, carefully pull a sheet of gold leaf from the pad and lay it down over the prepared surface.
After placing the gold leaf, use a slip sheet to burnish the leaf onto the adhesive with firm pressure from your fingers. Remove the slip sheet and excess leaf using a large, soft mop brush. Save the excess gold leaf for use in other artwork. After a few hours, wipe down the surface with a damp soft cloth to remove any tiny particles, then dry with a soft cloth. Finally, apply sealer with a flat brush to protect the gold leaf from tarnishing.
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The product is prone to breakage
Speedball's Mona Lisa Gold Leafing is a product that can be used to add a rich and lustrous look of 24-karat gold, silver, and other precious metals to artwork and home decor. The product is available in gold, silver, and copper, and comes in sheets of 5.5" x 5.5" in packs of 18.
The Speedball Simple Leaf is prone to breakage. One user notes that the product is "very fragile but very worth it". Another user mentions that the product is "thinner than the OLD WORLD brand imitation gold" and is "still prone to breakage". The product is also described as "fragile and very thin".
Due to its fragile nature, it is recommended to practice using the Speedball Simple Leaf before applying it to your desired surface. Users recommend using tweezers to handle the leaf and applying an adhesive to the surface beforehand. The adhesive goes on milky but will clear up, and you have about 30 minutes to work with it. After applying the leaf, use a slip sheet to burnish the leaf onto the adhesive and remove any excess with a large, soft mop brush.
To protect the gold leaf from tarnishing and becoming dull, apply a sealer with a flat brush after a few hours.
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Use an adhesive to put the leaf down
Gilding is the process of applying gold leaf to artwork, usually done after you've finished painting. It is typically used as an accent to embellish your artwork. You can use Speedball Mona Lisa Metal Leafing Adhesive, which is available as part of a kit that contains gold leaf, adhesive, and sealer.
Before you begin, prepare your work area by covering the surfaces with drop cloths and newspaper to avoid any foreign contaminants. Then, apply the adhesive to the entire surface where you'll be applying the gold leaf. Use a flat brush to apply an even, light coat over the area you want to decorate. Make sure there are no ridges, drips, or brush marks, and ensure complete coverage of the area. The adhesive goes on a little milky but will clear up in about 5 minutes, at which point you can begin to apply the gold leaf.
Water-based gilding glue works well for interior projects and is typically the best choice. It takes around 15 to 30 minutes to become tacky and is then ready for the gold leaf. However, if you are applying gold leaf over oil paint or some other surfaces, you should use an oil-based adhesive.
After applying the adhesive, carefully pull a sheet of gold leaf from the pad and lay it down over the prepared surface. Use a slip sheet to place on top of the gold leaf and rub and burnish the leaf onto the adhesive with your fingers. Remove any excess leaf with a large, soft mop brush, and save the flakes and odd-sized pieces for use in other artwork.
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Seal the leaf to prevent tarnishing
Sealing your gold leaf is essential to protect it from dust, UV light, and the open air, which can cause it to tarnish and look dull over time. To seal the leaf and prevent tarnishing, follow these steps:
First, ensure that the gold leaf is properly adhered to the desired surface. Speedball Mona Lisa Metal Leaf Adhesive is a popular choice for this purpose. Apply an even, light coat of the adhesive to the area you want to decorate, being careful to avoid ridges, drips, or brush marks. After applying the adhesive, you have about 30 minutes to work before it sets.
Next, carefully place the gold leaf over the adhesive. Use a slip sheet to help position the leaf and apply firm pressure to burnish it onto the adhesive. Remove any excess leaf with a large, soft mop brush, and save the leftover pieces for future projects.
After a few hours, wipe down the surface with a damp soft cloth to remove any residue, and then dry it with another soft cloth.
Finally, apply a sealant to protect the gold leaf from tarnishing. Speedball Mona Lisa also offers a gold leaf sealant, which is recommended to ensure compatibility with the gold leaf. Using a flat brush, gently paint a smooth layer of sealant over the gold leaf areas. It may appear cloudy at first, but it will dry clear. You can add a second layer if desired, but be sure to let the first layer dry completely before doing so.
By following these steps and sealing your gold leaf, you can ensure that your artwork maintains its luster and beauty over time.
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The leaf works well on flat surfaces
The Speedball Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf is a composition leaf made of copper and zinc. It is a high-quality alternative to pure gold leaf. The leaf is bonded with wax paper, and when applied to a surface with adhesive, only the leaf touching the adhesive pulls free of the wax paper. This reduces waste by keeping the excess leaf attached to the wax paper for reuse.
The Speedball Simple Leaf works well on flat surfaces such as wood, plastic, paper, and more. It can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including canvas, picture frames, polymer clay, and hard objects. The leaf is prone to breakage when applied to flat surfaces, so it is important to handle it with care. It is recommended to use the right adhesive and gloves when working with the leaf. Practicing on a separate surface before applying the leaf to your desired surface is also suggested.
To apply the leaf, use a flat brush to spread an even, light coat of adhesive to the desired area. Ensure there are no ridges, drips, or brush marks. After applying the adhesive, immediately wash the brush with cool, soapy water and rinse well. Once the adhesive loses its milky appearance, carefully pull a sheet of gold leaf from the pad and lay it over the prepared surface.
After placing the leaf, use a slip sheet to burnish the leaf onto the adhesive with firm pressure from your fingers. Remove any excess leaf using a large, soft mop brush, and save the flakes and pieces for future projects. Allow the leaf to set for a few hours before wiping down the surface with a damp, soft cloth to remove any remaining particles. Dry the surface with a soft cloth, and apply a sealer to protect the leaf from tarnishing and becoming dull over time.
Overall, the Speedball Mona Lisa Gold Simple Leaf is a versatile product that can add a beautiful accent to your artwork or craft projects. With the right techniques and care, it can be a valuable addition to your creative endeavors.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can paint on top of the Speedball Simple Leaf. You can use spray paint glaze or a paint medium to seal the leaf and protect it from tarnishing.
You can use just about any type of glue as an adhesive for the Speedball Simple Leaf. Some options are thinned Elmer's glue, spray glue, super glue, or even acrylic paint.
First, apply an even, light coat of adhesive to the area you want to decorate. After about 5 minutes, carefully pull a sheet of gold leaf from the pad and lay it down over the prepared surface.
The Speedball Simple Leaf works great on a variety of flat surfaces such as wood, plastic, paper, and more.
