There will be a brief introduction to the course. A short practical discussion will be given on gilding materials and tools. We will explore the characteristics of glues and gums and the types of leaf gold, gold powders and other metals and gold paints. There will be demonstrations and explanations of designing and gilding throughout. Students are encouraged to watch, but also to work along where possible. A small given design can be used by the participants, which can be downloaded from Padlet, though each can supply their own design if they wish. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Illumination is wonderful, it gives a sparkle to everything, and it is easy to achieve good results with patience! Hopefully it will be a joyful and bright workshop.

Skills / Techniques Covered

• Discuss and understand the tools and materials required for Illumination.

• Learn to create a design to which you can expertly apply a gum (PVA) for the gold.

• Apply the gold to the design.

• Use of tools and techniques.

• Investigate the colour and paint options for painting a design.

• Be encouraged to create or download a new design for the second week.

The flat brush is an underestimated tool for calligraphers, and Uncials are the ideal letterform with which to explore its abilities. Achieve bold, chunky and large lightweight letters in gouache or ink, on paper or perhaps on fabric later — they are fun to try and offer many possibilities for special effects.

Suitable for all levels, we’ll assume no prior knowledge, and in the second half, graduate to more complex options and variations — all of which are transferable skills to calligraphic penwork.

List of Materials

• One flat brush in excellent condition, nylon or acrylic, not sable, size 3/8” or approx. 1cm wide. Makes such as ProArte Prolene, Daler-Rowney Dalon D88 series, Galaxy M series nylon, are good. Test with water; it should keep a chisel edge once squeezed flat. Try this from Great Art in Size 10: I LOVE ART | Synthetic Brush Series 792 — flat tips

• Gouache (preferable), any colour, or optionally non-waterproof ink.

• White saucer or palette with flat segments.

• Paper: most economical and best surface is a roll of lining paper obtainable from wallpaper supplies;
  or A3 cartridge paper; or BFK Rives printmaking paper (for best!); nothing too smooth like layout (too thin too).

• HB pencil and ruler.