Inspiration for assignment: Cervera bible Circa 1299 – Image 882 from library of Congress
Materials: Pergamenta , Natural and period pigments, gum arabic binder, Gold leaf, silver leaf and shell silver. Calligraphy being iron gall ink applied with quill. Keeping appearance of original, using translated english to hebrew
Goals for assignment:
1) Period application of color, parallel inspiration as much as possible. Duplicate iconography, adding in Rapier motifs.
2) Use of period pigments, mixing to match palette of original and close approximation of style and presentation.
3) Gilding- practice with gesso, working on layering, get appropriate smoothness and flow. More practice with burnish with agate.
4) Calligraphy with Iron gall ink applied with quill, 3mm height of Hebrew writing, written right to left.
Challenge focus on smooth background colour balance, use multiple passes, try not re-activate underlayers. Pigments still dry with slightly different shading. After several layers, decent uniformity met. Intentional attempt made for duplicating iconographic images. Shading attempts with goal of reproducing effect of original.
Choice made to add extra around border : achievement of arms and Mantling. Presence is Sca-ism, but also appropriate with Patent award of Arms, and had effect throwing overall balance of Scroll off. Rondels on side and below added to achieve more perception of balance – Badge of Kingdom Aethelmearc and spaces for Royal signatures.
Big challenge doing hebrew. Unfamiliar with characters and words and spacing. Translation was shared electronically, and even with study of hebrew, limited time prevent becoming entirely familiar. Much to say on this part. Many practice sheets used to work on familiarity of flow and spacing. Calligraphy applied right to left, and practices achieved strokes. With time, practice and study, familiarity achievable to allow flourishes, etc. Not enough time available on project to achieve much other than comfort in primary strokes. May ask Patron for another assignment in this style – challenge being need trouble others for translations. We’ll see on that.
Gold leaf burnishing more effective than previous. Three layers gold provide better base for effort. Challenge getting stick, lack of humidity causing issues. 48 hour drying time for gesso much helped this go-round. Again, atmosphere of workbench very dry and cold, hindering adhesion layers, even with humidifier and heater. All ‘stars’ in night sky as well as border gold leaf. Medallion Silver leaf.
Text words by Master Cyrus Augur, translation to Hebrew by grace of Master William de Montgilt:
And so, it came to pass that a lone Sicarii came to the Sylvan Woods of Aethelmearc. Free from the Romans, he found home and hearth in said land. When war came to the Kingdom, he took up arms in defense of his new home. Sicae and sword in hand, he grew great and bold, and became a great affliction to the invaders. Those who might have put up a resistance were scattered before they could seize their weapons and form up, proving mere mice before a lion of Judah. A warrior as much in the garden as the battlefield, he sowed the seeds for future defense of Aethelmearc, and for the destruction of its foes. These efforts bore fruit in the form of excellent soldiers, watered with sweat and fertilized by blood. And still he toiled, forging armor and crafting shields such that these soldiers may better defend his beloved kingdom. A master of chess, of tactics, of strategy, those under his command became an unstoppable force. Mathias al Tabai, We have seen you become a master of the blade, of warfare, of bloodshed. We have seen you become a teacher of people, a nurturer, a guide. We have seen you mold the disquiet of the soul into good for the Kingdom. Thus it is the will and command of King Bjarki and Queen Gabrielle, Sovereigns of these Sylvan lands you’ve made your home, that you be elevated into our most noble Order of Defence and granted arms Patent: Azure, an eagle’s head erased Or transfixed by a sword, a bordure argent. Transcribed this 22nd of March, AS 59 at the Donnan Party.
Nikolai's Artwork 