I was honored and excited to do a late German scroll recently. Excited for the opportunity to create cadels, as many late period German texts have. This is how I went about it. After receiving the text, I researched legal illuminated German works from the 15th century and calligraphy cadel images. I had my plan and did the layout. I…
Dollars to donuts the scribe is the least appreciated SCA artisan. That doesn’t mean the person receiving the award doesn’t appreciate receiving it and its kudos. But many recipients do not understand or appreciate the work done by the scribe. Award Scroll Presentation Sometimes when a scroll leaves the scribe’s hands and is given in court it’s…
Me teaching paint making. I had changes in my life two years ago so I drifted away from creating scrolls. Then M. Elynor of Glastonbury asked me to teach my paint making class. That sparked my interest and return to scribal art and teaching it. I’ve learned a few things returning from my scribal…
Re-reading a modern calligraphy book, I noticed a comment about the Ramsey Psalter. I thought it was a strange place for the comment and possibly an error. So I went looking. The Ramsey Psalter is now in the British Library. It is an Anglo-Saxon illuminated book including the Book of Psalms and other devotional material. It‘s script is the elegant English Carolingian or Caroline minuscule used…
Yesterday I went to my favorite bookstore, Half Price Books. It’s so close to home, I’ve walked to it. I always check out their $2 sale section. This time I found something unique. BiblioCraft: A Modern Crafter’s Guide to Jumpstart Creative Projects, by Jessica Pigza. I bought it just for giggles, without looking it over….
I‘ve shared my creation process online after finishing a scroll. And many seamsters show their work-in-process as it progresses, from early stages to detailed completion. But is it a good idea to post unfinished scroll images online? There are both plusses and minuses to this. Plus Interested people see my work as I progress. Scribal…
Higgins Eternal Ink after adding gum Arabic. Done on Bristol board. Recently I had trouble with my Higgins Eternal Black Ink feathering on paper. I thought it was past its use. When I realized I had been working on Bristol board and typing paper, not my usual Pergamenata, I blamed the support. So I did…
I am not a leftie, so I’m challenged by coaching calligraphy for people who are. Even so, interested left-hand writers want to know what to expect if they try calligraphy. What should a left-handed person learn? Left-handed calligraphers use various writing styles. They approach the text line with their hand from above and below it. They…