Evelyn Wong - A Golden Laugh - Mar 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2026
“Laugh as much as you breathe and Love as long as you live.” – Johnny Depp. One of my favorite quotes, and daily reminders that we should all laugh a little bit more, and if po…
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“Laugh as much as you breathe and Love as long as you live.” – Johnny Depp. One of my favorite quotes, and daily reminders that we should all laugh a little bit more, and if possible laugh until our bellies hurt.
This workshop will be suitable for all levels as I will be showing you a step-by-step approach on how to create this piece with me by combining different techniques, from design, to gilding and adding colour to our piece.
We will look at Lombardic letters/ Versals briefly where I will guide you through the process of drawing and spacing out the letters, how to tweak the letterform to make the piece more cohesive. We will then look at patterns that you can design within the letterforms and also pattern designs to fill in the negative space around the letters, before transferring it to hot press watercolour paper.
Once the design has been transferred, we will look at some of the tools used in gilding. Different gilding mediums, the application process, and in particular, how to apply Instacoll so that you can achieve a smooth surface. We will test out both raised and flat gilding, how to apply gold leaf onto the gilded surfaces and I will also go through the factors which you will have to consider when gilding, as well as techniques for you to experiment with at the end of the workshop.
After experimenting with the gilding techniques, we will gild the piece together, before moving onto paintbrush techniques, brush control and how to paint leaves and buds so that they are more organic and less flat. The final touch will be looking at filigree patterns, and how to incorporate it around our design using either a fine brush or a pointed nib dip pen, so that by the end of the workshops, you can walk away with something that is uniquely yours.
I hope you will enjoy creating this piece as much as I have. I always try to incorporate new techniques or a new design aspect so that previous students will also be able to take away something new after taking this workshop. As always thank you to The Gentle Penman for hosting me, forever grateful.
A Golden Laugh
Evelyn Wong, Hosted By The Gentle Penman
Live (Also recorded for later viewing)
6,13,20 & 27 March 2026 (Friday)
22:00 pm – 00:00 am (Hong Kong Time)
Class Cost : HKD 1,170.00 or USD 150.00
Registration Link : https://www.thegentlepenman.com/a-golden-laugh
Supply List:
Please note the list below is for reference only so you know the tools I use when I am gilding. But you do not need to go out and buy everything listed and please do not feel pressured and feel like you have to buy the exact same brand that I use because I am sure other brands may be just as good. You may also choose to watch the recordings first before deciding what supplies you want to buy.
Design work:
- Grid paper (4mm x 4mm squares) (P22)
- Pencil (PL38, PL21)
- Ruler (S270)
- Eraser (E13)
- Sakura Pigma .003 / .005 Micron Pen (M216, M217)
- Tracing paper (P112)
- Washi tape (S1145)
Gilding:
- Kolner Instacoll (S892)
- Small container for the Instacoll (S844)
- Distilled water
- Toothpick (to mix the Instacoll)
- Brush Cleaner (The Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver) (S930)
- Hot Press Watercolour Paper 140lb (300gsm)(Fabriano Artisico) Size 25cm x 18cm (at least) (PS115)
- Small synthetic brush – for applying Instacoll
- Grafix Acetate Pad .003 Clear (Optional – depending on whether you choose to use Loose Gold Leaf)
- Loose Gold Leaf (W&B Gold Leaf 23K) (S189-5)
- Agate Dogtooth Burnisher (S2024, S1667)
- Gilders mop to brush off gold leaf (optional)
- Kneaded eraser (E09)
Painting:
- Gouache/ Watercolour (Winsor & Newton Gouache: Paynes Grey, Yellow Ochre and Titanium White) (WNG1)
- Small brush used for painting (Rosemary & Co. Watercolour Brush Series 33. Kolinsky Sable Pointed Rounds 2/0 or 10/0) (BR111)
- Paper towel
- Container for water (S1695)
Optional:
- Pickett Four-In-One Ellipse Template (1262I) (optional)
- Pickette CHA1204I Circle Master Template, Range from 1/16 to 3 Inches in Diameter (optional) (S1085)
Shop supplies for this class: