I was absolutely floored when my dear friend, Audrye Beneyt asked if I would create an AoA scroll for her son. After getting approval from the EK Tyger Signet, I set about looking for a style of scroll that he may like. Having also raised a child in the SCA, I know the importance Cody being able to establish himself within our group, and wanted to properly honor all of the good work he has done so far.
I spoke to Audrye and she said that Cody would like shiny. I also knew how much he loved the family's dogs. What better for a teenager than shiny and with critters! I decided on the exemplar:
Since I was using gold leaf, I did the calligraphy first. This is so you do not scratch the gold leaf when using the cork ruler to lay the lines for the calligraphy. Also, the outlines of the illumination is done in ink. This is so that when the gold leaf is burnished, it does not smudge the pencil lines - I've learned this lesson the hard way in the past.
I tried to follow the exemplar by using red ink on the top and then switching to black. The paper is Bristol, and I used Calli calligraphy ink for both the red and the black. This had become my preferred ink as it does not clog in the Brause nibs that I use.
Words by Montgomery Josh.
Next came the gilding. Before I could start, however, I covered the calligraphy with glassine portions so that the gold leaf would not adhere to the ink. I then laid multiple coats of thinned Kolner Miniatum, and allowed ample drying time in between layers.
This took about 3 sheets of gold leaf. After the gold was laid, and burnished, it was time to paint the base coats into the illumination. I used Windsor & Newton and Holbein gouache paints. After the base coating, details and shading were added to the illumination. I added a deeper, richer, red to my illumination as it appeared to me that the exemplar had faded.
More shading and finishing of the painting was done, and then whitework to attempt to replicate the exemplar. The critter at the bottom of the scroll was my favorite.
Although overall I was very happy with the end results, I knew that I needed some help with my gilding. As such, I took classes at Pennsic at Guild Mirandola. I hope to incorporate some of the knowledge I acquired in my upcoming scrolls.
This is the signed piece:
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