Illuminated
Letters
Introduction:
Illuminated letters are calligraphic letters which are embellished.
During the Middle Ages, illuminators made manuscripts, or hand written documents,
more ornate with decorative borders and illustrations. Red, blue and gold were
the main colors used. The height of illuminated letters in manuscripts occurred
during the early Middle Ages, from the seventh to the twelfth century. The Book
of Kells housed at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland is a manuscript full of
illuminated letters. This lesson is a link into Medieval times and an opportunity
for you as an artist to design a decorative letter.
Materials:
Directions:
In deciding on a letter, think of an important quote you could write and illuminate
the first letter of it. Then you could write the rest of the quote in simpler
lettering that is smaller. Maybe you would like to create a large decorated letter
of one of the initials of your name.
1. Start by sketching the basic form of a letter on the bristol paper. Make some
parts of the letter wide and some thin.
2. Sketch in decorative ornamentation inside and around the letter. This could
include animals, plants, or people.
3. Outline the letter and images with a permanent, fine point black marker.
4. Mix some water into the gouache to make it more liquid if necessary.
5. Begin to paint the forms you sketched in pencil and then outlined in pen.
6. If possible paint with one color at a time so colors don't mix together and
get murky.
7. Let the paint dry. You can frame your initial or write the rest of the letters
in your quote.
Resources:
Alexander, J. J. G. The Decorated Letter. George Braziller, Inc.: New York, 1978.
Mayes, Susan; Claybourne,
Anna; Watt, Fiona and Lovett, Patricia. Drawing, Painting, and Lettering. Usborne
Publishing, Ltd.: London, 1996.
Tatchell, Judy and Varley,
Carol. How to Draw Lettering. Usborne Publishing, Ltd.: London, 1991.
Watt, Fiona and Rowley,
Anna. Calligraphy Projects. Usborne Publishing, Ltd.: London, 1994.
Watt, Fiona, and Lovett,
Patricia. Starting Lettering. Usborne Publishing, Ltd.: London, 1996. Young, Caroline.
Calligraphy: From Beginner to Expert. Usborne Publishing, Ltd.: London, 1990.
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