Bookmark Project

In this workshop, we will create beautiful historically-inspired monogrammed art that can be used as bookmarks or as holiday tree trimmers which will also be lovely enough to be given as gifts.

To create our bookmarks, I’ll lead you in a step-by-step demonstration using gold gilding, ink pens, and egg tempera to illuminate our calligraphy-lettered monogrammed design.

You’ll also learn about the history of the techniques we use and their origins with the scribes and monks of Medieval Europe.

Below you'll see the links to several videos. The first is a 2-minute version of creating the bookmarks so that you get an idea of the process. The next video is the actual detailed workshops.

Before you start make sure to download the resources, especially the materials list and the instructions.

QUICK 2-MINUTE BOOKMARK PROCESS VIDEO

FULL BOOKMARK MAKING WORKSHOP VIDEO

Additional Resources

Art Supply Sources

For gold leaf gilding, pigments, tempera, calligraphy, brushes, pens, books and other types of historic illumination supplies (includes tutorials and lesson plans)

• www.iconofile.com
• www.sinopia.com
• www.utrecht.com

Websites for historic illumination information

• The Library of Trinity College Dublin, home of the Book of Kells
• The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Treasures of Manuscript Illumination
• The Morgan Library, New York. Illuminated Manuscript Collection
• University of Aberdeen Library, England. The famous Aberdeen Bestiary
• The J. Paul Getty Museum Collection, Los Angeles, Exploring an Illuminated Manuscript
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The Art of the Book in the Middle Ages
• The British Library, repository of the Lindisfarne Gospels Book
• Techniques of Illumination in the Middle Ages
• Freeman/Lozier Library, Celtic Knot Information
• History of the Celtic Knot (Wikipedia)
• History of Gold Gilding
• Video: Ancient Art, How to make a feather paintbrush

Books on Techniques and History

Backhouse, Janet. The Illuminated Page: ten centuries of manuscript painting in the British Library

Bain, George. Celtic Art; The Methods of Construction.

Brown, Michelle. Understanding Illuminated manuscripts: A guide to technical terms.

Drogin, Marc. Medieval Calligraphy, its history and techniques.

Gill, D.M. Illuminated Manuscripts (Discovering Art Series).

Lynskey, Marie Illumination for Calligraphers.

Mehigan, Janet. Mastering the Art of Calligraphy.

Seligman, Patricia and Timothy Noad. The Illuminated Alphabet.

Thompson, Daniel. The materials and techniques of medieval painting.

Wilson, Elizabeth B. Bibles and Bestiaries: A guide to illuminated Manuscripts.