Note that articles marked with an
asterick are versions captured by the Internet Archive.
A second note: Geocities is gone. If you end up at a geocities location, try changing the url; Reocities.com is now up and many sites can be accessed by changing the "g" in "geocities" to an "r" to get "reocities. Should that not work, try The Internet Archive.
I am on a scribal mailing list, and there are certain
questions that come up fairly frequently. Many of the topics are
things I'd like to write articles about. Until the day comes when
I have nothing but time to write and write and write, here are
some short answers for frequent questions beginners may have.
When preparing to do a piece of calligraphy, one of the first
things you must do is determine the margin. The simplest--and
completely serviceable--margin is 1-1-1-2 (that is, side, top,
side margins equal the unit of measurement, and bottom margin
equals 2 times the unit of measurement; if your unit of
measurement is 2 inches, then your margins are 2"-2"-2"-4").
However, the best 2-page layout comes from using the method
described in this article.
Nice notes on analyzing a pattern and layout. Have a look
around the whole site; it's quite nice, actually.
A Plethora of Knotwork Articles:
A series of articles on making Knotwork, found in many early
styles of manuscript illumination. All are hosted at different
sites and take different approaches.
Celtic
Knotwork Instructions for a variety of different methods
Article about using parchment instead of paper. Also at this
site is an article on the process of making parchment and a great
discussion on the "parchment versus vellum" terminology
argument--it's been going on ad nauseam.
Instructions on turning bamboo into a writing instrument. In
the modern era, a bamboo pen is often considered to be the same
thing as a reed pen, but the two are actually different. The basic
procedure is pretty much the same, however.
An article combining various recipes for ink and some history
thereof. This article is still in progress, but it is a live link
because the article contains links to several other pages of
already-completed information
An excerpt from a book printed in 1611; an ink receipt or two,
instructions for making a quill and holding your pen.... very
interesting! The 1611 date represents a reprint, by the way; the
first edition was produced in the 16th century.
This article offers advice on calligraphic tricks to make your
written work look more like the writing of real manuscripts
without having to ingest twelve tomes on paleography or resort to
creative spelling.
Manuscripts were frequently embellished with 24k gold leaf.
This article gives you some instruction; while I disagree with
some of the author's conclusions, the article is useful.
Additionally, here
is an article with some gilding instruction. Also try the FAQ link
above for several gilding related questions and answers.
One of the best descriptions I've seen on the web regarding
the laying of leaf. This article uses composite gold for the
gilding, but the process applies to nearly any sort of metal leaf.
This article covers specific period pigments and describes the
process of making paints. Similar as it may sound to the two above
articles, it is actualy a bit more focused and contains an
extensive bibliography of specifically pre-1600 painter's manuals.
These are actually class notes from a class I've been giving as I
travel about.
A short article on using color appropriately in Illumination.
It does have a few references to things that would be obscure to
individuals not involved in the Society for Creative Anachronism,
Inc, but the few "In the West Kingdom, we" comments are not really
noticeable.
Although some of the examples are a little modern for my
taste, this is a very nice site that provides lots of
step-by-step, illustrated illumination instruction. I especially
like the section of the Goetingen Model Book that has been
reproduced; go directly to this set of instructions from a
pre-1600 German manual by clicking here.
A pretty good introduction to the subject. Because of the
scope of the coverage, the article is not able to give really
comprehensive description of some processes, but if you are just
starting out, you mayn't want that, anyway. There is a fair dose
of opinion mixed in, too.
This is the information and documentation for the making of one
particular piece, a Dutch style Pater-Noster page. There is quite
a bit of documentation regarding the project itself, and could be
useful for someone wanting to learn something of the process. The
documentation does include a piece-specific bibliography and six
specific quotations from period sources regarding the making of
particular items.
A brief definition of whitework and a series of tips on
improving your whitework. The article presumes that you have done
at least a little illumination, but can be easily understood by
someone without such experience.
This was to be the handout for a class I taught on
goldvine/whitevine. Basic instructions on making a letter, some
comments on being an artist, and a bibliography.
Not an extensive article; rather, the handout that accompanies
a class on drawing human figures as they appear in the
above-mentioned 15th c. book. Most of the class is based on
hands-on practice; this handout is just a few pointers regarding
making figures look specific to Book of the Hunt.
A number of short articles featuring line drawings and
descriptions of the making of small pieces of illumination. Some
of the directions are quite short, others quite lengthy. Contains
several step-by-step descriptions on the making of various
artworks and pictures of some tools.
There is a lot to recomend this site; very nice section on
Kitchen Chemistry, Pigments, and a nice description of this
particular scribe's work process. What, then, is the kvetch I have
that kept me from adding this site to my articles list for more
than a year?? While she does a nice job of citing her sources in
most cases, there are a couple of clearly identifiable sections
where she appears to have taken someone else's work and cut and
paste it into her paper without citing the writer. That sort of
thing makes me very uncomfortable, and I'm mentioning it because I
want to make it clear that I do not endose such practices. Oh, and
the FRAMES. I really, really hate frames, in general, but the set
up at this site makes reading somewhat difficult. Other than that,
the information at the cite is very useful and the art
beautiful.
An essay regarding period illuminated documents, with general
comments on their appearance and suggestions for using illuminated
documents as exemplars in SCA, Inc. work. Please note that this
article is hosted at two sites. I've got the article here and the
examples of documents on another site. This article is based
primarily on English practice.
Series of photos visually describing the steps taken in making
one particular book with medieval methods.It's still in the main
list as a reminder to myself to check on the possiblity of its
re-emergance. Meanwhile, have a look at a few of Marc Carlson's
photos of other books he has bound, scroll to the bottom
of this page.
Directions for a simple, effective, early-period binding.
Well, "early period" isn't quite correct; there are some very late
examples of this style of binding. However, Western European
libraries tended to use a binding that is very durable; this style
is like the paper-back of the era.
Directions for creating a half-leather binding. This
particular project features the rebinding of an old book, and is
useful not only for demonstrating a half-leather binding, but
also, the rescue of a loved-but-worn book in a typical hardcover
binding. Directions are modern.
Nice demonstration of saving a perfect-bound paperback by
rebinding as a cloth bound hardback. Have a look around the whole
site, actually. :-) Directions are modern.
Nice site; I'm guessing that some of the articles have not
been put up (or else there's a false implication that there's more
to come). Nonetheless, there is a lovely selection of online
books on bookbinding, a few nice graphics, and articles that will
provide expanded knowledge to those interested in bookbinding.
A translation of Cennini's late fourteenth century book on
methods and materials of artists of his era. Not a lot of
illumination instruction, but a very useful and interesting work,
nonetheless.
Alberti's early 15th century treatise on the theory of
painting. Interesting notes on geometric construction of layout
and so forth. An essential read to understand the painting theory
of the Italian Renaissance.
Daniel V. Thompson, Jr's early 20th century instuctions for
painting in tempera based on his study of period practices;
remember that egg yolk tempera is only a minor, minor paint in
period book illustration, but if you are painting a single book
page for framing, a portrait miniature, or a panel painting,
tempera is a beautiful paint to work with.
This is a nineteenth century work, but it's chock full of
interesting things for people interested in medieval crafts. When
comparing the sections on paints and
inks to
the receipts contained in period books, you'll notice that there
is a great similarity.
The most recent update to the book used in the Society for
Creative Anachronism's "Middle Kingdom" as an introductory manual
and stylistic guide for scribal work commisioned by the "Crown"
through its network of scribal officers. The whole book is about
96 pages, PDF format, with some intersting articles on both making
scrolls and working within the Middle Kingdom. This book is
particularly valuable for the article on calligraphy for
left-handers.
Although this article is still under construction, I've put it
up because, well, the subject interests me tremendously and others
might also be interested. A short article on pre-1600 metal pens,
bone pens, and what appears to be a point-holder.
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing. Paleography is the
sister science of the study of writing. This article presents a
brief introduction to the science and several excellent
suggestions for further study.
Alas, the article is not as promising as the title implies.
Nonetheless, this very short article does at least provide some
information regarding exactly what was produced by the medieval
English chancery--at least, in terms of its general duties.
Heraldry for Scribes
Several different articles on a topic we should all be
familiar with:
This introductory article is interesting not only for the
scope of its coverage (greater than any of the above articles),
but also for the charm of its author's writing.
What's left of Ferrini.com. A nice glossary of some terms
you'll run accross in studying illuminated manuscripts, and
another essay on illuminated manuscripts.
Normally, I wouldn't link to a book review, but there are a
few interesting factoids here. The book itself covers the
chemistry of paints and the review cites some interesting
facts.
Printing did not come into being with the advent of
Gutenberg's moveable type. Before that, printed books were made by
carving entire pages into blocks. This is an online example of one
such block print book: a medieval text on astrology.
Flemish, fifteenth century. Site contains background
information and nice images. There is a nice overview of the
making of commercial manuscripts in the fifteenth century
included.
