Completed SCA scroll for Órlaith in Viðforla, recognition with Order of Maunche, East Kingdom.
Design Inspired by Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Libro d’Or Carafa (Hours of Cardinal Carafa) circa 1480.
Cochneal dyed goat vellum 140mm X 95mm, Period and natural pigments, with shell gold and shell silver inks applied with quill.
Goals for commission:
1) Complete on time – request from friend of Patron, time frame extremely limited
2) Mirror style of chosen exemplar – (failure and success here)
3) Practice techniques for shading and lining
4) Use all period materials throughout
Goal 1 – achieved. Decision to work with last purple-dyed sheet allowed for quick engagement. No-harm work done while waiting for confirmation of assignment. If decision changed, piece could be stored or repurposed. Size of sheet 140mmX95mm (5.5″X3.75″)
Goal 2 and 3 – Both success and failure. First attempt with Durazzo hours. Struggles with yellow pigment and even distribution. Tried layer gesso and still color uniformity unachieveable. Given time factor, unable to experiment to find appropriate layering technique for same-color shading illumination style for exemplar page. Fortunately, remaining page sufficiently treated on both sides, allowing use of verso. With time of essence for delivery, decision made changing inspiration to Cardinal Carafa hours.
Design work with shell gold and liner brush. Patterns freehanded, taken from inspiration piece. Slightly more color used for increased interest. Arms for recipient and badge, required layer gesso to offset previously articulated uniformity issues.
Calligraphy, done in style of inspiration Carafa. Quill cut small, allowed for decent flow. Letters 3mm with exception of banners for Armorial of Granted Arms. Shell silver flowed better – worth investigating suspension and why. Micrography needed in small banners for granted arms.
Goal 4 – qualified success. Inks required prepared suspensions. Remaining materials period and natural pigments with gum arabic binder.
Style much fun, very much more learning needed for mastery. Practice being informant of training, Patron asks for more commissions with technique. Micro-work challenging. Gearing up for more dying of vellum, expecting another video of methods.
Text Reads:
Orlaith in Vithforla, Our Subject.
Duly recognized in our Court for her skills at the cookstove and the loom, therefor by Us, Donovan and Meghanta, King and Queen of the East Kingdom, is she inducted in the Order of the Maunch at 100 Minutes War on the 22nd of November, AS LX, and granted Arms.
Or a Chevron purpure between two ramsPassant sable and a compass rose purpure ringed sable
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