So when you apply the next strip around the perimeter is there an overlap & if so does the seam just blend into the next piece? Your last pic from what I see is seamless.

8 minutes ago, DuckSoup said:

So when you apply the next strip around the perimeter is there an overlap & if so does the seam just blend into the next piece? Your last pic from what I see is seamless.

Overlap should be seamless but given the various lighting and surface texture it may not be. When I'm looking at other's gilding work(especially older/antique work), I always try to see any overlap. In many cases, this shows actual gold leafing, as opposed to painting.

On 1/5/2021 at 2:41 PM, FrederickH said:

Using c=2 pi r squared you can calculate the number of strips needed. For my 12" plaque that came to about 38 strips

That should read c = 2*pi*r OR c = pi*d

Shell completed. This photo shows how the gold loose leaf is laid onto the carving. There's a sizing(glue) that's been applied and allowed to semi-dry before the leafing starts. I push the leaf into the nooks and crannies with a soft brush and then proceed to lay more leaf(usually smaller pieces) until the areas are covered.

 

Here's the finished product so far. I'll apply more sizing to the other areas and repeat the above procedure.

 

The leafing is now completed. I'll wait about 1 hour and then start to "burnish"the leaf. I still have to attach the shell to the plaque and hang it somewhere on the wall.

 

That looks spectacular Frederick!  Thanks for taking us along on the journey.

It's been 40 years since I have seen gold leaf applied.  This is awesome.  Thanks for the journey.  Great explanation.  

Beautiful piece! Your choice of background wood really makes it stand proud. Great work