Scrollcraft 101
Simplified Methds
Simplified Methds
This tutorial explains a simple method for creating Amtgard award scrolls with digital layouts, printed guides, archival ink, coffee aging, and gouache.
THE BASIC PROCESS
Design the scroll digitally and check all names and wording.
Print the design and use it as a tracing guide.
Ink the design with a waterproof archival pen.
Age the paper with coffee and allow it to dry completely.
Paint with gouache and metallic watercolor.
Ink the design again after the paint has dried.
Check the finished scroll for missed lines, spelling errors, and areas that need cleaning up.
MATERIALS LIST
• Watercolor Paper and a printed copy of the scroll design
• Waterproof archival pens, such as Pigma Micron pens
• Painter’s tape - Soft Adhesion
• Regular coffee and instant coffee powder
• A shallow baking sheet or aluminum pan
• A spray bottle and paper towels
• Traditional gouache that can be reactivated with water
• Metallic watercolor, such as Gansai Tambi
• Watercolor brushes, clean water, and a palette
• Scrap paper for testing ink and paint
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Set aside more time than you think you will need, especially for your first few scrolls. Stretch your hands and practice a few loops, lines, and curves on a piece of scrap paper before working on the final piece. If your hand begins to hurt, loosen your grip and take a break.
INKING THE DESIGN
Use waterproof archival ink so the lines will not run when the paper is aged or painted. Work slowly and rotate the paper when you need a better angle. Keep scrap paper nearby to test each pen before using it on the scroll. After the first pass, examine the design under different lighting to find any lines you missed.
AGING THE PAPER
Test the process on several strips of the same paper before aging the finished scroll. Different papers absorb coffee differently.
Place the scroll flat in a shallow lined pan. Use hot regular coffee for an even aged color. For darker texture, sprinkle instant coffee onto the wet paper and mist it with a spray bottle. Dab away the dissolved coffee with a paper towel before it dries. Do not rub or twist the wet paper because it will be fragile. Let the scroll dry flat before painting.
PAINTING
Use traditional gouache so the paint can be reactivated with water when needed. Test each color on an aged paper sample before applying it to the scroll. Metallic watercolor works well for gold and other decorative details. Allow the paint to dry completely before adding the final ink lines.
FINISHING THE SCROLL
Once the paint is completely dry, retrace the important outlines and any details that became faint during painting. A white gel pen can be useful for small highlights and light decorative lines. Some pens may stop flowing after being used over gouache paint, so test them on scrap paper between segments to "clear" them and scribble gently until the ink flows again.
Check the finished scroll under bright and dim lighting. Look for missed lines, uneven areas, spelling errors, and places that need a final touch.
PRACTICAL TIPS
• Your first scrolls may take twice as long as expected.
• Keep the aged paper samples for testing paint and ink. Colors will always dry different then you expect.
• Save mixed gouache in a covered palette or clean plastic egg carton.
• Small inconsistencies are normal and help the finished scroll look handmade.
• Take regular breaks and stop if your hand begins to hurt.