P H Miller Frame Studio

Are you interested in learning about classes offered in gilding and frames?

Peter Miller — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:15:47 +0000

If you or someone you know has shown interest in the Gilding Arts and would like to learn about water gilding and related decorative art techniques, please contact me at the studio. Phone: 540-955-3939 or email: phmillerstudio@gmail.com. My studio classes are geared toward gilders with experience as well as those interested in starting fresh. The classes are purposely small so that each student can get the most of the class. My gilding experience is based on 35 years as a professional gilder and frame maker.

Class offerings include Water Gilding, Carving Ornaments on frames, Sgraffito, Pastiglia, Glass Gilding.

student participating in Traditional Water Gilding Workshop at the P. H. Miller Studio

Wiebold conservator applying yellow and red gilders clay

Hawkman frame carved, painted and gilded.

Recent Water Gilding Workshop Testimonial

Peter Miller — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:12:48 +0000

I recently got a note from Wiebold Studio in Ohio that they were about to post on Facebook and Instagram this testimonial and images as taken by their two conservators who came to my studio to learn the art of Water Gilding. I was so pleased that both woman had such a great experience and brought a lot of knowledge back to Wiebold Studio from the 4 day class.

from Katie Sharrock of Wiebold Studio, Cleveland Ohio

“While the goal of each of our conservators is mastery of their craft, every artist knows that a true master will perpetually be a student. Wiebold would like to thank PH Miller Studio for welcoming our Paintings Department into their workspace, and leading them through a fantastic workshop on traditional water gilding, taught by the master frame maker himself.”

photo credits: Wielbold Studio

Peter with students Alice and Kristel

learning how to scrape and send Gesso

carryfully applying red bole over yellow bole

applying gold leaf to wooden balls for a bullseye mirror

Introduction to Water Gilding Workshop

Christian — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 18:19:38 +0000

During the kickoff of Society of Gilders “Global Gilding Symposium” from October 9th through October 30th, 2023, Peter Miller will be holding a workshop in October for those interested in learning Traditional Water Gilding . The workshop will be offered October 20th – October 23rd, 2023 at the P. H. Miller Studio in Berryville, VA. The 4 day class is a professional level class intended for those interested in learning this ancient Renaissance art form as well as those who have experience with gilding and wish to hone their skills. The class will include learning how to cut and handle gold leaf, how to make and apply gesso and gilder’s clay and how to actually apply the gold to the prepared wood surface. Each student will receive a frame to work on and all of the materials necessary for the workshop. At the end of the class, each student will keep their project and receive a certificate of class completion. Specific gilding tools will be required which can be purchased by each student or Peter will order tools for students in advance. Students who have their own gilding tools are welcome to bring those. Max # students 6, min # students 3. Please contact Peter if interested for the cost per student, how and when to register. Registration will be done through the Society of Gilders

Student participating in Traditional Water Gilding Workshop at the P. H. Miller Studio, Berryville, VA

Big Gold Dragons

Christian — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 17:44:15 +0000

I’ve been working on these two dragons for quite some time now. They are entirely hand carved in basswood, and we are now preparing them for gilding. When they are finished, they will be wall brackets with a shelf above the head and wings. Peter was kind enough to let me take on this project more-or-less by myself (with his guidance all along the way). The dragons are inspired by the beautiful dragons in the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England. Although they are similar, these dragons are my own design. Somewhere along the line, I named them Virgil and Dante, and the names have stuck. Inevitably, there are slight differences between the two. I’ve created a slideshow of pictures I’ve taken throughout the process. Up until this point, Virgil was usually a step or two ahead of Dante, so I’ve done my best to rearrange the chronology to make progression a little easier to follow. I will do my best to post new pictures as we work through these final stages, and I will certainly post photos when they are finished.

A note on the finishing steps: The yellow that appears in later pictures is primer, and those sections will be oil gilded. The white surface on the noses, wings, and tails is gesso, and those areas will be water gilded and burnished. Regarding the teeth, I originally carved them in wood. However, they are extremely fragile, and they could not be used. I made a silicone molds of the original wooden teeth and cast them in bulked epoxy resin. This created extremely durable castings which are very true to my original models. The differences in color are due to the colors of epoxy putties I used, and this will make no difference in the appearance of the final product.