The frame can now be water gilded, the bole is wetted with a weak mixture of glue, water and IPA alcohol, the gold leaf is then picked up from a gilder's cushion using a brush called a tip and brought into contact with the wetted area, the gold is pulled of the tip by the water. As the water dries the leaf can be pressed firmly into contact with the bole. This sample frame has been gilded with palladium on the sight edge, 23.5ct gold leaf on the scoop, and 18ct green gold on the outer section. Once the initial gilding has taken place any breaks or overlaps between the different types of leaf are filled in, this can be seen in the last photo. The outer section was also burnished lightly with an agate stone burnisher.
