Beautiful pre-17th-century handmade lettering.
In the spirit of holiday gifting, Jehanne Bening reflects on the challenges of managing an art supply budget. She offers practical tips for saving money, including strategic online shopping, utilizing coupons, recycling materials, collaborating with guilds, and emphasizing tool care. Ultimately, she encourages making thoughtful purchases tailored to individual needs.
“A library is a hospital for the mind.” — Anonymous medieval proverb (15th–16th c.) Recently, I was lolling at Barnes & Noble and browsing without purpose. I picked up a book that immediately got my attention. It was The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen. And friends, let me tell…
I was cleaning out old images when I stumbled across this gem from way back in 2008. What better excuse to share it than Thursday? Just like when I started this blog and writers called it “Throwback Thursday.” This is a calligraphy and illumination piece I created for my dear SCA friend, Luciana. Luci was an…
“A good scribe can do more than one thing.” – Medieval proverb Hey, friends! Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite scribe or a special prize for an upcoming scribal competition? I’ve got you covered! With the busy season in full swing, we’re all juggling work, SCA projects, and holiday prep. So, I’ve put…
Now I’ve written the whole thing; for Christ’s sake give me a drink. -15th century scribe Hey everyone! If you’re a scribe in the SCA, this might sound familiar, but stick around. We’re diving into the artistic process of creating a 15th-century illuminated manuscript. Whether you’re new to this or just need a refresher, let’s…
Kaila Yankelevich, University of Bristol Why do we own books? What does it mean to own a book? Is the reason utilitarian (we want to access a specific text) or is it all about pleasure? Umberto Eco famously spoke of the importance of owning books that you might never have time to read. Did owners…
Hello scribes and historical arts fans! As SCA scribes, we have the incredible opportunity to bring the past to life through our award scrolls. One of the best ways to deepen our craft is by diving into the world of illuminated manuscripts. These historical treasures offer a wealth of inspiration and insight, helping us to…
One thing I look for when I want to learn a new skill is a list of all the things a brand new person would need to start. I could ask people who are more skilled than I am but I tend to be a bit socially awkward and I also sometimes feel like it harder for me to…
Hey there fellow art enthusiasts! Let me share a little journey with you, a story that’s close to my heart and involves my very first brush with a competition. Picture this: years ago, I eagerly entered my first competition with an illumination piece. I poured my heart into it, meticulously using tracing paper to transfer…
Hey there, fellow SCA scoll enthusiasts! Let me take you back to when my journey as a scribe hit a little bump in the road. (Actually, it began with a bump.) Picture this: my illumination skills were growing while my calligraphy skills… not so much. But fear not, because I had a stroke of luck…
Hey there, everyone! I just stumbled upon an incredible website that I think you’re gonna love! It’s called “Lettering Daily” by Max. It’s a treasure trove of all things written by hand. Trust me, if you want to improve your calligraphy skills or simply learn the art of beautiful lettering, this site is a must-visit!…
Hey there, friend! At Lonely Tower‘s recent Scriptorium, I recently found myself chatting with a new scribe who asked, “What’s the difference between SCA period calligraphy and what’s practiced today?” Well, let’s unravel this fascinating topic together. First off, what exactly is calligraphy? It’s not just about writing, it’s about painting a picture with letters…
Welcome to my blog post dedicated to aspiring calligraphy and illumination enthusiasts! Whether you’ve been enchanted by medieval manuscripts or are simply looking to level up your handwriting and painting skills, learning the scribal art is an excellent choice. In this article, we have gathered a collection of YouTube videos tailored specifically for beginners in…
Telling the truth behind the skill to learn calligraphy. With conviction you can achieve the skills it takes to create beautiful letters.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between hand lettering and calligraphy? … While other calligraphers and hand lettering artists may have different definitions and opinions about these, as an SCA scribe I’m sharing mine here.
Inktober is an artist challenge dreamed up by illustrator Jakes Parker. Its original purpose was to improve his personal inking skills. But the challenge has been taken on by others. It’s an excellent scribal experiment and personal challenge. A way you can play with new scripts, different papers, unique inks.
Whether you’re new to calligraphy or have used cartridge pens for a time here are my info and tips to using them.
Making A Hebrew-English Scroll and what it took for me to create the Hebrew calligraphy.
Recently Marie had the day off from work and we went to Omaha‘s Old Market. We began our walk-about with lunch at Wheatfields and too much tasty food. While I snarfed my Nutella crepes looking behind Marie I spied this wall calligraphy. It wasn’t graffiti but German letter art. It reads “Essen and Trinken halt…
Luna protesting. Oh no. I’ve done it again! I know calligraphy nibs are not made from sturdy, tough metal. And you can’t expect them to remain looking brand-new forever. But I wanted to keep using my favorite nib. The one that makes the fine strokes just as you like. So how can you prevent your…