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About This Guide
Do you like calligraphy? Do you like sketching and doodling? Do you like bright colors and things that shine? What would you think of an artform that mixes all of these together? That artform is called illuminated lettering!
This guide is for adults who would like to learn how to create an illuminated letter like those of medieval manuscripts. You will find instructional videos and a list of books to help you with your project of creating an "illuminated" letter. Learn calligraphy styles, practice lettering, learn about the history of the artform, and design your own colorful, "illuminated" letters.
At the end of this guide you will find downloadable templates to use for your project.
About me
Hello! My name is Lynn Vandevort, and I am a Reference and Instruction Librarian at Lakeland Community College. I am also an artist who loves the art of illuminated manuscripts. My art training is in portraiture and architectural renderings of historic buildings, but I taught myself how to create illuminated letters, and I would love to share the resources that helped me.
Getty Museum video Making Manuscripts
Watch this beautiful video by the Getty Museum to learn about the medieval art of illuminated manuscripts.
(About 6 minutes long)
Marzipan video How to Draw Illuminated Letters
You can create illuminated letters easily! The art of illuminated manuscripts is very complex, and it requires expensive items, but you can create illuminated letters easily with markers and metallic paint pens!
Watch this video by Marzipan to learn how.
(About 7.30 minutes long)
This video recommends a particular type of pen. At the bottom of this guide you will find a slide show with recommendations for another kind of markers and metallic pens that I think are better, or you can use the pens recommended here.
Lynn Vandevort's video
What is an Illuminated Manuscript?
To learn more about the styles and the history of illuminated manuscripts, watch this video.
(About 16 minutes long)
Recommended Books
Are you the type of person that likes to have a book in your hand that guides you in your learning?
Take a look below at the list of books about illuminated lettering available through the
Lakeland Library.
Click the bar next to each book to go to the the Lakeland Library Catalog where you will see the entry for each book.
Come to the library and check them out!
138 pages : color illustrations ; The Book of Kells is an intricately decorated Gospel manuscript created by Celtic monks around the 9th century. It is known for its richly adorned pages featuring intricate patterns, symbols, and illustrations, often incorporating intricate interlacing and vibrant colors. Sullivan's book delves into the historical context of the Book of Kells, its creation, the techniques used in its illumination, and the symbolism found within its pages.
264 pages : color frontispiece, 59 color facsimiles ; Transcribed from the German. Illumination of books and manuscripts held in the Austrian National Library.
235 pp., 145 Illustrations - 24 in full color. Anthology of illuminated manuscripts from the 6th to 16th century that includes pages from great and familiar Bibles, Psalters, Gospel Books and Books of Hours.
Check this book out from your local public library!
Author Timothy Noad, who has worked for HM College of Arms in London, where his title is Herald Painter (heraldic artist) and Scrivener (calligrapher) has written and illustrated this book that walks the reader through the history of illuminated manuscripts, explains alphabet styles, and illustrates lettering projects from medieval times to modern.
Slide Show
How to Make Your Own Illuminated Letter
Now you are ready to make your own illuminated letter! Watch my really short slide show below. In it I explain my choices for markers and pens, and I give a step by step guide for creating your own illuminated letter.
Below the slide show are templates selected just for this project that you can download to help you get started.
For best results, print the Squares Worksheet to cardstock
Templates
Print out the templates
and Squares Worksheet below
Have fun and enjoy!
Squares WorksheetModern LettersCeltic StyleMarzipan TemplateEasy LettersRed and GoldPage updated
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