Inspiration for assignment: Visconti Hours, 166v (the Redeemer) and 128v (Psalm CXXXVII).
Materials: Pergamenta , Natural and period pigments, gum arabic binder, shell gold and gold leaf. Calligraphy being iron gall ink applied with quill. Keeping appearance of original integral with large amount of text, requiring dyptich format.
Goals for assignment:
1) Portraits of recipient, leveraging style and technique from original.
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 and imitation to original style and hand as much as possible.
Challenges mixing colors to get purple to match for arms of recipient. Some pouncing needed and surface prep required for good binding of pigment to surface. Shadings with white very sensitive, white line work tendency to re-activate beneath colors. Lesson learned: apply in light strokes, move quickly and suredly.
Gold leaf challenges with burnishing. Lesson learned: multiple layers leaf allow more resilient surface for burnishing. Allow gesso drying time more. Atmosphere of workbench very dry and cold, hindering adhesion layers. Electric warmer in space with bowl of water evaporating helps greatly.
Text words by Master Cyrus Augur, based on the elevation scrolls of all the MoDs of the lineage of Christian de Launey:
Dearest Nicolo, lay down thy sword and take thy rest. Hast thou not attained that end? Oh, long has thy journey been, and thy deeds great and many. In the lands of Vulcan’s anvil where thou’st be named champion ye began anew, learning the art of dueling and the ways of the courtier. Through thy studies thou discovered a world enrichment and delight, of prowess, of honour, of intelligence, among ancient tomes containing the wisdom of great masters. When war came to thy Sylvan home, thou assigned your name to the King’s army without hesitation and learned the ways of the Soldier. Battle after battle thy blade earned thine kingdom many a victory, until before long thou found thyself in the command of others. A warrior as much upon the battlefield as in the garden, with thy gentle nature and sweet demeanour as well as a penchant for all things embodying beauty and grace, thou became’st a great caretaker of Roses, whose wellbeing and joy became thine chiefest bliss. A being of legend thou became, when, in the midst of the rage of a hurricane, thou slew a most deadly assassin and thus became the sword of the Queen. Hast thou not earned thy rest? Hear our voice, Nicolo Loredan, and heed our words. We have bore witness to thy very nature: of thy masterful domination of all measure, space, and time, against which even Death itself may die. Of thy overflowing knowledge, so voluminous as to cast a shadow over Agrippa himself. Of thy endless generosity, giving freely of thy time and personal treasure to provide instruction in the arts of defense, and tokens of achievement for our noble populace. To rest is not in thy nature. Thus We, Bjarki the Sylvan King and Gabrielle the White Scarf Queen, would set thy hands and mind to a new task. Don the livery collar of white, and arise this day as a Master of Defense! Bestowed upon thee are all rights and privileges of thy new station, including title, arms Patent, Quarterly azure and purpure, in cross four mullets of four points argent withing a serpent in annulo forant of its tail Or, and recognition as a Peer of the Realm. Mark this 15th of the month of February, AS 59 as the birth of Master Nicolo Loredan da Venezia, pride of the Lineage of Christian!
Nikolai's Artwork 