What will you learn on the course?

This course is a brand-new course from the Carters Steam Fair team and is a unique opportunity to learn about the diversity of decorative skills used in traditional fairground art and restoration. These skills are usually passed down through the generations with apprenticeships, but our comprehensive introductory course gives you an overview of the skills and techniques involved. Once learned, these traditional skills can be applied in many situations, including traditional signwriting, restoration projects and fancy upcycling.

The course features a mix of live demonstrations and plenty of opportunities to get ‘hands-on’ and try techniques under expert guidance from our in-house fairground artist Aaron Stephens.

Which techniques are covered?

You will be shown how to gild flat and three-dimensional objects and will learn other traditional techniques used to create special effects including:

• Oil gilding (water gilding will not be taught)
• Loose leafing and transfer leafing using 1-hour gold size
• Aluminium leaf demonstration
• The basics of glass gilding
• Velvet burnishing effects
• Using flamboyant paint to create special effects and add style

The course includes a gold leaf supplies kit per person which has two books of gold leaf that you can use on the course and take the remainder home after. During the course you will gild some rope moulding and a board with lettering, both of which you can take home at the end of the course.

Who teaches the course?

Hosted by our in-house fairground artist Aaron Stephens, this one-day course gives a comprehensive introduction to the gilding techniques used at Carters Steam Fair to restore our rides, attractions and vehicles back to their former glory. Having completed an apprenticeship with Joby Carter on fairground art and signwriting, Aaron has further developed his skills in the area of gilding and reverse glass gilding and is highly skilled at the traditional art of brilliant cut glass. The course is held at Carters Yard, a live working restoration yard and home to Joby Carters Signwriting courses.

Please note these courses are very popular. To secure your place you need to book and pay the full fee. The courses hold a maximum of 8 people, and we work on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for our Refunds Policy.

Find out more

Download our course factsheet (PDF) for more information on course timings, where to stay, parking and how to find us.