Sydney's Original Gilding School
Two Days. The Ancient Craft of Gilding. Yours to Keep.
A weekend in our South Hurstville studio with master gilder Karl Eggert and his wife Brigitte, the only people teaching professional gilding in Australia.
50+ years of craft · Parliament House NSW · Sydney Town Hall · Sydney 2000 Olympic chariot
Only 3 students per class.
Reserve Your Spot
Tell us a bit about you.
Only 3 students per class. We'll be in touch within 24 hours.
A Note From Brigitte
Most people never get to try this.
Hello, I'm Brigitte. My husband Karl was trained in Germany over fifty years ago, and we've been teaching gilding from our South Hurstville studio for twenty-five years.
What you'll do over a weekend with us is something most artists, designers, and curious creatives have never had the chance to try. Real, hands-on gilding. The same techniques used on cathedral altars, antique frames, and the Parliament House restorations Karl has worked on.
You'll learn with Dutch metal, aluminium leaf, copper, and imitation silver. You'll see how a thin sheet of metal becomes a glowing surface that lifts everything around it.
By the end of Sunday, you'll walk out with your own Egyptian plaque, a Daphne plaque, and four sample boards. You'll also walk out with a skill very few people in this country can teach.
— Brigitte 💛
What You'll Make
Three pieces. Yours to take home.
Egyptian Plaque
A traditional Egyptian-style plaque, fully gilded by you. The centrepiece of the weekend.
Four Sample Boards
Four small boards, each finished in a different metal: Dutch, aluminium, copper, and imitation silver. A full reference set you'll keep.
Daphne Plaque
A square plaque of Daphne, goddess of the gardens, gilded by you in your chosen metal. A beautiful decorative piece to take home.
All materials and refreshments included. Plus a celebratory wine with 24-karat gold leaf and a gilded TimTam at the end of day two.
What You'll Learn
Real techniques. Real results. No experience needed.
- ✦Surface preparation and bole application
- ✦Laying Dutch metal, aluminium leaf, copper, and imitation silver
- ✦Antique patinas and ageing techniques
- ✦Sealing and finishing for longevity
- ✦The history of gilding, a craft thousands of years old
- ✦How to apply these techniques to your own art, furniture, or interiors
Students
They came on a Saturday. They left with this.
Reviews
What past students say.
"One of my favourite things about taking the Master Gilding course with Karl and Brigitte was the atmosphere of their workshop — so family oriented and down to earth, surrounded by beautiful examples of gilded art. Karl is an absolute wealth of knowledge spanning decades. I walked away ready to take my own art to the next level. YouTube is no substitute for in-person, in-depth tuition."
"I took the Master Gilding course this year. It's extremely meaningful and valuable to learn the gilding knowledge from Master Karl. Karl and Brigitte are really good people! I learned so many gilding secrets, enjoyed course life every day, and took a large number of beautiful crafts back home. Highly recommend!"
"I recently finished the Master Gilding Class hosted by Karl & Brigitte. Been wanting to do this course for a few years and I'm so glad I went. Their experience, wisdom and patience made the learning easy to follow. I learnt all the skills necessary to take with me into my next art journey. Would highly recommend."
About Your Teachers
Karl Eggert. A Master Gilder recognised around the world.
Karl began his training as an apprentice and became a Master Gilder in his late twenties. Since then he's worked across the world — advising on prestigious projects and teaching a legion of gilders the craft from the ground up.
His reputation for detail, commitment and uncompromising standards is why his name keeps appearing on the projects that matter. And it's why he founded the Art Gilding Academy — to pass the craft on, properly, to the next hands.
Thousands of students from around the world have sat at his bench. This weekend, you sit at the same one. No YouTube course. No hobbyist. You're learning from the source.
What to Expect
Everything you need to know.
When
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Two full days of hands-on work, with refreshment breaks throughout the day.
Where
63 George Street, South Hurstville NSW 2221. Free parking on the street. Train: Hurstville station, 8 minutes' walk.
What's Included
All materials, tools, refreshments, your finished pieces, a celebratory wine and gilded TimTam at the end. Just bring yourself.
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming weekend classes.
May 23 & 24, 2026
3 spots
May 30 & 31, 2026
3 spots
June 27 & 28, 2026
3 spots
July 4 & 5, 2026
3 spots
July 11 & 12, 2026
3 spots
July 25 & 26, 2026
3 spots
August 1 & 2, 2026
3 spots
August 22 & 23, 2026
3 spots
August 29 & 30, 2026
3 spots
Investment
$965 total, all-inclusive.
Two days of one-on-one teaching with Karl and Brigitte. All materials, your three finished pieces, refreshments, and the wine and gold-leaf TimTam celebration.
No hidden fees. No upsells. Payment details confirmed by email after you reserve.
Reserve Your Spot
Tell us a bit about you.
We'll be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your dates.
FAQ
A few things people ask.
Three classes left this season.
Three students each. First in, first served.