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Traditional Signwriting and Gold Leaf Gilding with Carlie Allan

Join us for a day of learning signwriting and gold leaf gilding with Carlie from Buck & Bear Design. Perfect for beginners, this workshop introduces the foundational techniques and the opportunity to create your own hand-painted and gilded wooden sign to take home.

  • 5th September 2026 - 5th September 2026
  • 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

In this workshop, you will:

  • Learn the basics of brush control, pattern transfer and how to use gold leaf
  • Discover tips, tricks and techniques for working with a traditional sign-painting brush
  • Explore the history of traditional signwriting and gilding, and experiment with industry tools
  • Learn which paints to use for different materials and effects
  • Transfer your own chosen design onto a wooden board and gild it with gold leaf
  • Go home with your newly painted sign, along with practice sheets and advice for putting together your own signwriting starter kit

What to expect

  • Small group, limited to 8 people
  • Studio-based, hands-on and supportive
  • No experience needed
  • Time to experiment with a range of materials and techniques
  • A glimpse inside the house during the lunch break for inspiration
  • Lunch included from Norfolk Street Bakery

About Carlie Allan (Buck & Bear Design)

With a background in graphic design, Carlie is well-versed in typography and letterforms. Combined with her love of colour and all things vintage, she brings a fun and informative approach to teaching. Carlie of Buck & Bear Design is a Cambridgeshire-based signwriter specialising in gold leaf and the traditional craft of sign painting.

Find out more at: www.buckandbear.co.uk

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Did you know?

Fancy a dip? A popular swimming spot in Cambridge is the Jesus Green Lido, which at 91 metres in length is one of the longest outdoor pools in Europe.