Request of recipient: Persona Viking, Vikings not creators of illuminated works. Something that would or could work for similar. Decision of Patron, choice for inspiration: Great Canterbury Psalter, circa late 12th C thru early 14th C. Specifically leveraging exemplar of full-page prefartory miniatures illustrating psalms. Taking imagery from original, modifying for illustration of events from “Saga of Ragnarr” as told in oral tradition by THL Sorcha MacKenzie.
Final Piece done on Pergamenta approx 46X32 cm (note below, vellum attempted), period and natural pigments using gum arabic binder. Gold and Silver leaf. Calligraphy Iron gall ink applied with Quill
Goals for assignment:
1) Match representation as closely can be, style of portraits to match original leverage scenes from Saga of Ragnarr.
2) Gold leaf technique practice. In this case – attempt recommended procedure applying gold leaf prior to starting painting.
3) Work on miniature styles. Choice of inspiration means many portraits of 12th C style to be used. Attempt capturing feel and look of display.
4) Practice micro detail techniques on borders and small calligraphy where necessary.
5) Use period materials throughout.
First attempt at beginning illumination failed. Patron’s store for vellum had only single piece of size needed. Chose best side for attempt, but repeated attempts at treatment and re-working of surface proved vellum selection insufficiently polished for needs. Time being of essence, piece set aside to be trimmed and reworked in future, and decision made to leverage stores of Pergamenta. In essence, brings goal 5 up short, however all remaining options for period use remained. Considering qualified success as only time and available material prevented using hide.
Gold leafing technique continues improving, however, notable difficulty with order of operations. Laying gold leaf on first meant that surface constantly being rubbed while painting. Artist not able to suspend hand over surface, and even laying cloth over surface where arm rests, impact made to surface of leaf. After painting and calligraphy finally completed, last step required re-layer of leaf on many areas. Buffing all had effect of blending drastic difference in surface, but when examined closely, different spaces can be found. Note to self – for this style in future, perhaps better effect to completely finish one minature square at a time; leaf, paint, finish, move to next panel.
Miniature styles presented many challenges. Attempts made to maintain ‘line work’ that also has shading. This style of lllustration not familiar, and artists aesthetic eye struggled with ‘rightness’ of look. Constant reference back and forth from inspiration to piece took time. This style requires seeing how lines layer in with shading, and confusion often on appropriateness of line color or harshness of shading. Much more practice needed in this technique. Micro painting of small details in borders effective with liner brush. Found lead white flows well when just right consistency. Pot had level paint on angle, allowing for drawing of pigment into brush with water, and would lay well on slow-even strokes. Content with this work. More practice, of course.
Calligraphy done with quill and as was done on painted surface, ink mostly behaved. There were areas where fighting needed to get ink to layer appropriately. Sometimes ink was wet enough, reactivating yellow pigments. These times required re-layer of ink. Simple, but time consuming.
Biggest learning in this scroll commission came with designing of portraits and techniques of working with Gold. Patron complained about use, but necessary for style chose. These learnings serve well for future works.
Patron confirms recipient happy – most important victory condition.
Text reads: Ragnarr Bjarnlyr’s journey began in the Halls of Vulcan’s Forge, called to lessons in the way of the sword. He prepared quickly and began to learn, his wit and skill even as a novice was worth of Odin’s halls. Ragnarr excelled not only in skill, but also in traning others. Hie grew in strength, carrying the weighty armor by foot up the mountains to his quarters, painstakingly cleaning each piece, before bringing them down again. Soon, the evil witch Mundania brought a dark time to his saga. While she frequently called him from the dream and held him captive, he studied in solace, continuing to learn in stolen moments. He became a cadet, and slowly the witch loosed her hold. He fought in Rose tournaments with honor and began fighting along side Black Priory, his purple tunic standing out in a sea of white and black. In one encounter alone, he and his swordkin engaged against thrice their number, turning the tide of battle . Years passed and he was recognized to the Order of the White Scarf, leaving him justly honored and humbled. Feasting on boar made by his hand, the Sovereigns of Aethelmearc have heard of his boast and here in their Court at Memento Mori do publically attest to its truth and right. King Andreas and Queen Kallista, call him on this twelfth of October, Anno Sociatatis 60, as a Master of the Order of Defense, and Grant him arms by Patent letters: Sable, a bear rampant within a bordure rayonny argent. Let all who know these arms and when seen on the field, raise their voces in joyu, that they will shout of his deeds, his honor and his nobility through all the knowne Worlde.Eh, that is Patron problem. Gall ink flowed well and aged dark. Content.
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