First step: apply the water size on the gilding area. The first layer must be diluted with water. Add 1/3 ratio of clear water to the gilding size. Apply the mixture like a puddle, but not too liquid.
First, the levkas softens, then it hardens, forming a smooth surface. Wait until the surface is completely dry (about 10 minutes).
Then, apply a second layer of water size, but not a puddle: you simply have to brush the whole surface and wait until it dries for a second time.
Cut the gold leaves in strips and apply them on the surface as shown in the video below:
Then, if you also want to gild the internal icon frame, you have to apply the size by direct painting. Put on the size with quite a dry brush in two to three layers, cut fine and small strips of gold and apply them exactly on the thin sized area.
Let it dry for about 20 minutes and then remove the gold leftovers with a soft brush. You can keep them aside in a container to do some shell gold, by adding a bit of gum arabic (but wait until you have enough gold).
To protect the gold, add a thin layer of transparent shellac, and let it dry for a few hours...
Remove very carefully with a scalpel (one with a round blade) the excess of gold going over the edge delimited by the engraving.
