Tag Archives: Illumination course

The Glitterati of 2024

IMG_4977What a lovely three days we had in May when eight keen illuminators-to-be got together and produced amazing results in just three days. The courses are held in mid-May each year and are limited to eight people. This year there were two participants from Canada, an American and one participant from Hong Kong, as well as four British. It made for a very jolly and very keen group.

IMG_4980The course focuses on the traditional materials, tools and techniques of mediæval manuscript illumination, including vellum preparation for painting, making, laying and using gesso, cutting quills from feathers, using 23·5 carat gold leaf, using burnishers, the processes of painting miniatures and much more.

IMG_4988It’s a huge amount to get through even with three days, but everyone set to with great enthusiasm. Despite all the best conditions, careful measuring and making, gesso can still be rather temperamental and so it proved on this course! Various approaches were tried, but it wasn’t possible even at the end of the course to burnish the gold to the shine that we all would have liked. The gesso needed to ‘settle’ for that; however, it was a very good experience for everyone on the course to have practical ideas to consider for what to do when it doesn’t work! So often it can be perfect on a course with the tutor there for quick answers, and then not so good at home when there’s no one at hand to advise.

Here are the results and the reason why the images are rather wonky is that I was trying to get the gold to glisten as best it could!

These are the comments from those on the course, but not necessarily next to their wonderful results:

IMG_5021Wonderful. I had an absolutely fabulous time and can’t wait to start working on projects at home. I’ll be telling my friends that if they ever get the chance to take this course they should absolutely do it.

 

 

IMG_5014Absolutely fabulous!! Well worth coming from Canada. I am so very glad to have made the journey and truly value the gift of the skills shared and encouraged. THANK YOU FROM MYSELF and all of our friends with whom we will share what we have learned (and will encourage to come). It was a privilege to learn from a master craftsperson such as you.

IMG_5015Absolutely fabulous – everything you could wish for on the subject. Great camaraderie, great facilities, lots of historical information. Loved every minute.

 

 

 

IMG_5024I truly enjoyed listening to your stories and demonstrations. I love how you’ve turned everything surrounded by mystery into something everyone can do. I loved it and wouldn’t change a thing.

 

 

 

IMG_5013Patricia really is the master of illumination. She is clear, knowledgable, even students without anything about illumination can get it done. Excellent and enjoyable. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is interested in illumination.

 

IMG_5017Very good combination and helpful to have an in-person teacher who could give comments and observe to fix mistakes and technique. Would recommend to any serious student of mediæval illuminated manuscripts.

 

IMG_5012Excellent! Everything is well explained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_5018I had a great time and learned a lot. Lovely setting and facilities.

The Fully Qualified Glitterati

Layout 1Another group of people eager to learn the traditional skills and techniques of mediæval illumination and miniature painting gathered in Kent, UK, in May 2021. This was a group who had planned to take this course in 2020 but the pandemic got in the way, so everyone, including me, was very excited to be able actually to take the course.

IMG_1726Everything is provided on the course, no-one needs to bring anything with them, and it takes quite a while to ensure that all the tools and materials are clean, pencils sharpened, erasers ready to use, and there are no scratches on the burnishers. Those who have been on my courses before will recognise the wet boxes and the dry boxes!

 

 

 

 

IMG_1727Each participant has their work station set up for them so that all they need is ready to hand; no-one has to share tools etc and wait for someone else to finish using them. There is also plenty of space so those working don’t feel cramped.

 

 

 

IMG_1749After practising applying gold and burnishing to already laid gesso, gesso is made for participants to take home to make more illuminated miniatures, and gesso made earlier is applied to their own choice of miniature. But first everyone cuts their own quill from a swan’s feather to apply the gesso.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1743Vellum is prepared and the outline traced and transferred to the skin. Gesso is then laid ready for gilding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1739Applying real gold leaf changes the pink gesso into what looks like solid gold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1746Everyone is delighted with the magical effect, even if some gesso is a little smoother than others. Turning it in the light really does look as if the miniature is illuminated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1753After practising painting their miniature everyone sets to painting their ‘proper’ one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1759A great deal of concentration is required for this, and while people are busy painting, I explain about the types of skin to use, and also show and talk about the traditional pigments.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1751Everyone was delighted with their results and said they learned a lot. I hope they continue to do more as they were a very impressive set of illuminations. And no, most people had never done this before, and many had very little painting experience either.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1766Genuine comments from the course include:

It was great, relaxed but very informative. Lovely day, uninterrupted painting. Perfect. I loved it.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1773Excellent instructions and I loved how passionate and knowledgeable you are about your subject. I learnt loads and my confidence built up over the duration of the course. I am looking forward to trying my new-found skills at home.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1779Very enjoyable, very well done. I was very happy with what I managed to achieve all thanks to Patricia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1775Everything was very clear and thank you for your individual support on any questions or problems. A wonderful course. Thank you so much!

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1765Really clear instructions, explanations, etc, and brilliant being able to ask as many questions as possible. Had an amazing time, thank you. Will be definitely going home and continuing my painting. I had lost my enjoyment of painting any illuminations as I had just become frustrated not knowing what to do and the techniques needed. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1761Expert teaching of intricate techniques very well explained and demonstrated. The course is very well paced. Enough time to really focus on a good painting.

 

 

 

IMG_1770Brilliant, even for a beginner with no knowledge of the craft. Best course ever – would wish to do another. Experience shines through gently. 10 out of 10.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1763A model example of thorough preparation, micro and macro management of a complex subject. Delightful outcome of a memorable three days. Bravissimo!

(NB, the comments don’t necessarily match the person creating the miniature!)

****One person on the course had a Dystonic tremor which affects the whole body, and also has MS which affects other parts. Painting the practice piece was done in the afternoon and the hand wasn’t so steady, but painting the best piece started in the morning and they found that ‘with so much concentration, I was hardly shaking. It feels since the course that my self confidence has taken a huge boost as well’.

So don’t think this course isn’t for you if you have no experience. Illumination involves technique, and that is what is taught. And if you, too, have a tremor or a physical challenge, you may well surprise yourself and what you can do in three days!