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…
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…
People don’t see detail like a camera, and yet as a scribe detail is penultimate. We anticipate what we think we should see therefore we miss things. Our logical brain gets in our own way. My first SCA art teacher, M. Gillian of Dragonsley, showed me a way around this, at least for my then…
Scroll production is a battle with calligraphy for me. I receive the task, research and plan the script and motifs I want to use. When I begin the lettering, the first and largest permanent motif, I’m tense. The page is blank and the more expensive the support–Bristol board, pergamenata, or calfskin vellum–the tenser I am. There…
If there’s a way to make a scribal mistake I’ve probably made it. Especially in calligraphy. I’ve miscopied words and lines, skipped lines, repeated words, misspelled words, and been misinformed. I’ve spilled ink, changed hand style, and misjudged line spacing. Being tired, too caffeinated, stressed, or rushed adds to my shakiness. There are things I…
I’ve been writing my scroll layout handout for the coming Lonely Tower Scribes’ class. While it’s too detailed for here I thought a few design tips might be appreciated. Picking your inspiration I first choose a medieval style relating to the recipient’s persona or interest. If that’s not possible because time is short and I…