Multiple gold leafs on sculpted gilding bases: gouaches, watercolors, and inks on gilding

Photo courtesy of Reggie Ezell

Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (brown bag lunch)

This is a four session course that meets March 2-3, April 6-7, May 4-5 and May 31 - June 1. Participants should plan to attend all four sessions.

The greatest work of art in western calligraphy and illumination in the last 500 years is The Saint John’s Bible. It is created with materials that reach back millennia: calfskin vellum, quills, stick inks, dry pigments, gilding, and more. The designs, though grounded in tradition, always have a contemporary flair.

The intention of this extended studies course is to be immersed in these materials and techniques in order to produce a finished work, broadside or book, integrating these materials and designs.

Curriculum will include:

• Lining and Lettering on Paper, Vellum, Parchment

• Gilding on various bases with seven kinds of gold, and tooling the gold

• Metal nibs: broad edge, pointed, ruling pen, ball pointed pen: adapting them with honing (several), reservoirs, distempering, snipping.

• Quills: cutting and maintaining them

• Writing Fluids: Gouache, Watercolor, Ink Sticks: (black and color), Dry Pigments

Participants must have a working knowledge of Italic lettering.

Planned:

The final weekend at Carson-Newman University studying illuminated manuscripts from across the centuries, employing many of the materials and techniques presented in this course.

The Saint Johns Bible: Heritage Edition! Up close and personal with one of the volumes. A chance to study this life size, brilliantly reproduced, rare book. (Note: The current cost of the full seven volume set is approximately $165,000.)