What Rules?

A lot of people establish rules for themselves when making illuminations. Since we are striving to make these pages seem 'right' in the eyes of medieval Europe, this tends to be beneficial. We just have to remember that there are exceptions to every rule. I'm going to post some 'rules' and show the period manuscript page that breaks it. If you follow me on pinterest, this will be a little redundant.

Don't write over your art.

Write in straight lines

Don't let the image go off the page

Use white or 'natural' colored paper

I'm not advocating breaking every rule all the time, it's just a reminder that there are no strict rules. Have fun and be creative!

About Me and Why I'm Bloggin'

   About a year ago I started studying illumination and calligraphy within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). I'm starting this blog to document my experiences learning all there is to know about the subject. Because I am in the SCA this means I will be doing awards (blanks and commissions), and closer studies of what was actually done in the period that I am studying. And commission doesn't mean that I am getting money, it just means they know who/where/when/and why the award is being given out and ask for the illumination specifically. Blanks are used for things like tournament awards or other awards that come up fast.

   I have the good fortune to be the formal student of Mistress Yvianne de Castel d'Avignon and Sir Aengus MacBain, a parchment making, calligraphing, book binding, illuminating duo. They do much more than that, but those are the ones that more directly apply to me. And I need to give a big shout out to Anna Leigh who really got me all started with this. She's given me supplies and the use of her books! Thanks!!

   My plan with this blog is to post about the projects I'm working on (if they are awards I will wait until after they are given out, so no surprises are spoiled!). It is a good way for me to gauge my progress as well as allow others to benefit from the things I figure out. I also like sharing my hobby with friends and family. 

   I will post the things I have done in the past year, minus the blanks that I don't think have gone out yet. 

This is my very first attempt at illumination! I donated it as a blank and it became an Award of Arms for someone in the East Kingdom. It is Guache (the paint) and two different shades of fake Gold Shell (gold powder) mixed with Gum Arabic (a binder). The layout is a replica of one in The Hours of Catherine of Cleves. I simplified the color scheme to blue and gold. I have to thank Anna Leigh for providing me with ALL the materials for this project.

This one I did on commission for an AoA. It is done on pergamenata (a replacement for parchment that is made from vegetables) with water colors. It is based on a Book of Kells page. I changed the color scheme a bit. The intertwining animals were very fun to do, and I think they turned out well... just don't look too closely at the knot-work on the corners.  Calligraphy by Sir Aengus MacBain.

This one was also a commission for an Award of Excellence for Duchess Anna Blackleaf. Hence the black oakleaves instead of trifoils at the end of the flourishes. This was done with a combination of guache and watercolor. I also tried gold leaf, but used the adhesive included in the packet and it was a mild disaster. I think it still turned out pretty overall. The design was based off the style of the Maastricht Book of Hours (go to f75r).   

This was a commission for an AoA. It is done mostly with red and blue ink with a little gold shell. It is based off a Dutch book of Psalms. I did the calligraphy myself. I think the calligraphy took me longer than the illumination! I also messed up a solid three sheets of pergamenata attempting the calligraphy. Words by William Parris. Link to Inspiration: Here!

I made this as a study of actual manuscript creation. It is on actual parchment and made with ink, watercolor, gold shell, and gold leaf. It is also based off the Maastricht Book of Hours (go to page f69v). I did the calligraphy and chose the words. The words are from the Canterbury Tales. The piece is the same size as a page of the original, about 3 inches tall!!

This is a Gage that I did on commission. It is done in guache on pergamenata. It is based on the German 'The Crests of Conrad of Green Mountain'. Calligraphy by Kieran MacRae and words by William Parris. Link to Inspiration: Here!

That's all for now guys!