Tip For Fine Details
Tip: Using enhanced magnification for detailed work.
8 Handy Accessory Scribal Tools
There are so many art tool combinations possible. Every scribe has their favorites. I have a few to share.
What’s A Scratch Knife Nib?
If you’ve been around kids recently or were ever one yourself I know you’re familiar with scratch knife nibs. For kids they’re just called scratch art nibs because even small knives are considered dangerous. Scratch nibs are commonly used to scrape through one surface revealing a lower contrasting color layer. But did you know they weren’t intended to be a kid’s toy? The original intent for scratch nibs was to remove ink from animal skin supports. They looked like small bladed knives with paring-knife handles. Later, dip pen nib manufacturers made them to fit their common pen holders. Today scratch knife nibs are a curious commodity made for scratch board artists. But they are my go-to ink eraser. Scratch nibs easily scrape ink off the surface of pergamenata and vellum with little damage to its surface. You can even use them on paper if your ink purchases on its surface and isn’t absorbed. Its fine sharp blade gently scrapes ink mistakes away sometimes leaving the paper surface usable. Ampersand and Speedball make professional scratch art nibs that fit common type B dip pen holders. Royal and Lang make a less expensive nickel engraving foil set too. I prefer scratch nibs to a sharp knife or an x-acto for their smaller sharp blade. The teeny blades easily scrape away ink blobs within letters “a” “s” and others. They are inexpensive, and can be sharpened by a whetstone. The nibs come in […]
10 Ways To Use Silica Gel Packets In Your SCA Stuff
Silica Gel Packets You know those silica gel packets that you find in everything from new shoes to vitamins? They’re there to suck up moisture and combat mold, corrosion, and product deterioration. Well, you can use them for SCA stuff too. Ideally, we would keep our SCA stuff dry in a moisture-free tub, bag, closet or basement. But camping events get rained on, […]
The Useful Paint Niche
Recently at our scribal meeting, I was asked about how I use my gouache palette. Do I put out new paints for each painting session? Do I reconstitute the dried paint in its well? What do I do if the paint breaks into small bits? All great questions. This is what I do. You may find other scribes work differently. […]
A Genius Way To Help Paint Dry
I’ve told you about my studio in the past and mentioned my dual swing-arm lamps. The double lamps that keep shadows away from my work. Showing the Reveal bulbs But the 65 watt Reveal light-bulbs serve another purpose. They speed-dry the gouache. Placing them over the work and leaving them for a time dries the paint layer so well I can […]
Size Matters: Giraude Benet’s Laurel Scroll
Project Title: Giraude Benet’s Laurel Scroll Project Date: December 9, 2017 Text by: Malachi von Uri Inspiration for Text: Translation by: Calligrapher: Jehanne Bening Illuminator: Jehanne Bening Measurements: 16 x 20 inches Support: Pergamenata heavyweight natural Notable Techniques: Gilding and interlinear lining. Script: Early/Proto- Gothic Pens: Mitchell 1 mm dip nib and Hunt 512 pointed dip nib Inks: Zig Cartoonist Sumi […]
The Not So Humble White Vinyl Eraser
While at my local Office Depot recently I came across white vinyl pencil-cap erasers. I wasn’t there to buy them, but they went home with me. I was excited to have white erasers for my 4H pencils tops. A silly convenience. Usually I find today’s eraser market confusing and the white pencil-cap eraser adds to it. Erasers, mostly used to […]
Secrets To Reducing Scribal Pain
If you’ve read about me you know I am a retired dental hygienist. Although I’m not a physical therapist or yoga instructor, as a hygienist for 35 years I learned a thing or two about hand and body pain reduction. Some tricks I learned apply directly to scribal practice. As a scribe concerned about pain control, my two main considerations are […]
Using a Scratch Nib for Corrections
The easiest, most common mistake to make is also the hardest to fix. Improper lettering. There are many ways I do this. The trick is to know the easiest way to correct them? In my opinion, it’s using a scratchboard knife. Scratch Art knives from Dick Blick Scratch nibs are commonly used to scratch through one surface to reveal a […]
My Scribal Work Space
Today I’m inviting you to my scribal workspace. I enjoy seeing how other’s work, so I thought you’d like to see mine. My “studio” is now half an SCA craft room. It’s a few steps from a bathroom for easy access to water. It’s on the same floor as the walk-out to the back yard, so I can easily let […]
Update on Tracing Light Box
Recently I posted about my lightbox setup. This has changed slightly. I now have an LED light pad and I’m very excited about it. I wouldn’t have bought this but M. Rolf came to Lonely Tower’s scribes’ class and showed us his. I was so thrilled about it I went on Amazon to look for it. Unfortunately, M. Rolf didn’t have […]
The Tracing Light Box And Its Use
My Tracing Lightbox Set-up I’ve owned a tracing lightbox for years and use it often. While light boxes themselves were not used in the Middle Ages, tracing often was. So I think using this tracing method is fine for scroll production if you choose. If my goal were to create a completely authentic work I would use another tracing method. […]
My 10 Favorite Scribal Materials and Tools
I’ve been a scribe way over 20 years and along the way I have collected materials and tools. Some end up in a bin never to see the light of day again. Other’s become as necessary to me as water. Here’s my 10 favorite scribal materials and tools, except for paint and paper towels. Things I can’t do without when I create an original scroll. Ames Lettering Guide— This helps me draw goofproof calligraphy guide-lines with consistent line spacing. I’m also able to have the letter height different from the space between lines. It’s well worth learning how it works. Brause Calligraphy Nib— I like these stiffer nibs because I still have a heavy hand. Their top reservoir and keen edge help me make clear, sharp letters. Calligrapher’s Bible by David Harris or another letter example.– I like this book because it lays flat and is a smaller size. I sometimes use my own hand-lettered examples that I’ve done on 3″ x 5″ cards. Computer– I use this for inspiration research such as scroll recipient’s interests on Facebook and original manuscript images. It saves time contacting friends for information and searching through university books. Light Box— Mine is a Light Tracer Light Box II. I’ve had it for years. While it is slanted I have a large book under the back of it to slant it more. That makes for easier viewing and better ink flow. Pearl Ex Brilliant Gold pigment. I […]
An Itinerant Scribe 