Scribal Spot

Ostgardr Schola

2011-11-07T18:42:00.002-05:00

I had a great time teaching at the Ostgardr schola this past weekend and taking all the other classes...Mistress Eleanor Catlyng's intro class, Dolsalena's Gilding and painting class and Niccolo's knotwork for beginner's class.

Thank you everyone! I had a blast. I'll hopefully see some of you around.

Happy Scribing,
Li

upcoming class

2011-09-26T12:43:00.002-05:00

Greetings,
I will be teaching Calligraphy 101 at Ostgardr Schola in Yonkers, NY on November 5, 2011.

Details here.

Here is a class description:
Interested in becoming a scribe? Don’t know where to start? Calligraphy is just one component of a scroll in the SCA. Together, there 3 major sections: the illumination (painting part of the scroll), the calligraphy (pretty handwriting) and the words (text of the scroll). This workshop will focus on calligraphy, discussing some tools and offering an introduction to three basic hands: Italic, Uncial and Batarde.

I hope to see you there!
Li

Workshop in LI this weekend!!!

2011-05-09T12:07:00.002-05:00

Greetings all,

Scribal Workshop in LI on Thursday, 5/12/11. Please let me know if there are any topics that you want me to cover!

Thank you,
Li

Cool website

2011-04-08T14:27:00.001-05:00

I was doing some random reseach online and came across this cool website:
http://www.calligraphyandheraldry.com/manuscriptpages.aspx

Just thought I'd share!

Upcoming classes at an event

2011-04-06T15:11:00.003-05:00

Greetings!!

I'll be teaching at least one class (possibly 2) at an SCA event in Northpass. It's actually 10 minutes from my house!!! I'll probably be teaching an introduction to Gilding class. I'm looking for other people to come out and teach. If you're interested...let me know.

Here are the event details.

Thanks!!!

Upcoming workshop

2011-04-04T12:30:00.002-05:00

For Local SCA-ers:
I am going to be at a scribal workshop in the Barony of An Dubhaigeainn on Thursday, 4/14/11 from 5:30-9:30pm.

Please let me know if there are any particular topics that you want me to cover.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Li

Backlog scroll

2011-04-03T20:11:00.002-05:00

So since I don't seem to be doing all that many scrolls, I will want to stay in the game...so...I've been taking on backlog scrolls. Here's one that I turned in last week. Thoughts?

Guess what?

2011-02-02T16:46:00.002-05:00

I created an East Kingdom Wiki page for myself. Check it out here!

Cool website...can zoom in...

2011-01-17T16:04:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,
Today my laurel shared this website with me. It was cool, especially because you can zoom in and see some of the details of the goldwork and shading that I just had to share.

http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/margins_manuscripts/interactive/index.html

Anyone have any good scribal links to share?

Please do!

Thanks,
Li/Gina

Black scroll

2010-12-23T09:21:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,
Not much to post here recently as my current interests lies with silver smithing...that being said. Here is one scroll that I did the calligraphy on for a friend. Thoughts??

Thanks...and happy holidays!
G

Teaching at Warrior's Nadam

2010-08-26T09:51:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let you know that I am planning on teaching 2 classes at Warrior’s Nadam: Intro to the Scribal Arts and Doumbek for Beginners (1 hr each).

Please spread the word!!

Future FREE event in NYC

2010-08-26T09:50:00.000-05:00

I thought this might be of interest to some of you. I’m planning on attending the 9/15 evening session.

********************
Lecture Series at the Art Students League of New York
George O'Hanlon, technical director of Natural Pigments, will be giving a series of lectures on artists' materials at the Art Students League of New York on September 14 and 15, 2010. The lecture series is designed for artists and anyone interested in how artists materials are used effectively in painting. Each lecture is 45 minutes to one hour and is accompanied by digital image projection with a question and answer period following.

Open to the Public and FREE
Dates: September 14 and 15, 2010
Location: The Art Students League of New York, Second Floor, 215
West 57th Street, New York

George O'Hanlon is technical director of Natural Pigments and executive director of Iconofile, an nonprofit educational
organization dedicated to promoting understanding of sacred art. George received his fine arts education and apprenticeship in Mexico. Upon his return to the U.S., he worked as art director and then creative director for advertising agencies in Silicon Valley, California, working on such major accounts as Sony, Hewlett-Packard
and Ricoh. He then established a database marketing communications firm that was later acquired by the international chemical company, Shin-Etsu, where we was retained as president of marketing operations for the U.S. In 1992, he left this post to study traditional art techniques and then in 2001, he founded Natural Pigments and Iconofile to promote an understanding of these techniques among contemporary artists.

Lecture Series
Origins of Colors: Secrets of the Old Masters
September 14, 2010 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where did the colors used by the old masters originate? How did they achieve the luscious and luminous colors we see in their paintings?

George O'Hanlon has traveled the world in search of unique sources of pigment. As founder of Natural Pigments, an artists' materials company, he brings his expertise to focus on the origins of pigments used by medieval and Renaissance artists as well as their revival by contemporary artists. He will discuss the physical and visual
characteristics of many common and exotic pigments and show how these masters used them to create their masterpieces. The lecture will be accompanied by digital image projection. This lecture was first presented in 2006 at the National Gallery in Washington, DC.

The presentation will be followed by questions and answers and is designed for painters of all mediums and anyone interested in pigments.

Making It Last -- Building a Painting from the Ground Up
September 14, 2010 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
All about constructing a painting from the support to the ground and final layers, including discussing how the "fat-over-lean" rule in oil painting is inherently flawed. Practical procedures are described to build your oil paintings according to the studies on the conservation of paintings. The presentation will be followed by questions and answers. This presentation is designed for painters of all mediums, but has special application to oil painting.

Controlling Oil Paint -- Painting Mediums and How to Use Them
September 15, 2010 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
How oil painting mediums can be used to create many different painting effects. What are historical oil painting mediums like and how do modern mediums compare to them? Through recreations of many oil painting medium recipes from the 15th to 19th centuries, Natural Pigments answers this question. We compare their handling and
performance characteristics, such as viscosity, rheology (paint consistency), yellowing and flexibility. The results of this research is presented in ways that can help artists to understand the purpose and use of mediums in their own work. The presentation will be followed by questions and answers. This presentation is designed for oil painters.

Color Theory and Practice
September 15, 2010 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The science behind light, surfaces, refraction, reflection, and the way in which materials and paint cause the color and light we see in our paintings. This is a practical lecture for artists and how they can better understand how the paint they use affects what they see.
The presentation will be followed by questions and answers. This presentation is designed for painters of all mediums and anyone interested on the optical effects of pigments and paint.

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links to some pretty good gilding and whitework websites

2010-07-22T11:08:00.004-05:00

Hi guys,
Here are a few good how-to websites/blogs:

Acanthus leaves:
http://calligraphypen.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/calligraphy-design-acanthus-leaves/

Acanthus leaf video!
http://www.ehow.com/video_2381354_the-acanthus-leaf-calligraphy-part.html

Whitework 101:
http://meisterin.katarina.home.comcast.net/~meisterin.katarina/whitework.html

Another good one (acanthus and whitework):
http://gutenbergscribes.chivalrysports.com/lesson5-acanthus.shtml

This website has some great scans of period sources:
http://www.textmanuscripts.com/manuscript_description.php?id=3024&%20cat=all&#

Some more great shots from a catalog:
http://www.maggs.com/i/maggs/catalogues/IlluminatedMiniatures.pdf

As I find more, I'll post more links...let me know if there's something in particular that you're looking for.

Best,
Gina

Q&A - part 2

2010-02-03T13:22:00.001-05:00

Q: What kind of gold would you use to imitate shell gold?

A: I can recommend mixing 2 gold together to get nice coverage. You can purchase both from Paper and Ink Arts. (www.paperinkarts.com)

Actually go here: http://www.paperinkarts.com/shop.html
and search for "gold" then buy:

1) Schmincke gold watercolor - (FULPAN) for $13.25 (first item on the page)

2) Sumi color in round ceramic dish - get the "light gold" for $13.50 (7th item on the page)

It's expensive upfront, but it lasts a while. I have had both of these for about 3-4 years. You mix clean water with ox gall and use that to wet both golds. First take some of the sumi gold and put into into a clean palate. The sumi is powered gold suspended in a medium...it separates very easily and you may want to mix it with some gum arabic to keep it more consistent (flow better with the other paint).

Then take some of the other gold using the water/ox gall mixture and mix that gold into the palate with the sumi gold. Mix until the two are about 50/50. Then paint thin layers on your letter. You have to let each layer dry before putting on the next layer. You will probably need to lay down 2-3 layers to get good coverage.

Any questions, let me know.

Q&A - part 1

2010-02-03T13:17:00.002-05:00

I've been having a series of correspondences and thought the answers may be of interest to others...I will be posting various subjects they come up.

I hope you find the information helpful...and please let me know if you have any questions.

*********************

Q: What tools would be helpful for a new scribe?

*********************

A:

Required Materials:

Paper: A good paper to use for award documents or "scrolls" is cotton rag Bristol Board in vellum weight and smooth finish (or hot press aka plate finish). This is the most standard acceptable paper choice, since it is affordable, archival and easily found in art stores.

Paint: gouache - or opaque watercolors...watercolors aren't as vibrant. Technique is very similar to watercolors. You can purchase a decent "set" of paints from most art stores by Windsor Newton.

Paint brushes: round watercolor brushes in sizes 2, 1, 0, and 00

Knead able eraser (gray)

White rubber eraser

Pencils

Ruler

Optional materials:

Ox Gall: helps the paint flow

Gold watercolor: I like Schminkie's brand. You would use this in place of gilding, especially for beginners.

Robin & Bill's Ketubah

2010-01-25T15:12:00.003-05:00

I know this is little late in posting (nearly 6 months) as this was completed in May 2009, but I came across it and wanted to post it.

This was definitely a labor of love...I had to learn a new language to do it!!

Illumination by Laura Pesket (SCA: Lady Saerlaith formerly Lady Clodagh)
Calligraphy (in English and Hebrew) by me =)

Silver Crescent for Diana the Wanderer

2009-06-08T12:07:00.001-05:00

This was given out at this past weekend's event: Icefalcon's Ducal Challenge.

Illumination by: Lilly of the Valley
Calligraphy by: Ding Li Ying
Words by: Mistress Alayne Nyvern Nightwatcher

All hark unto these words, and know that we Andreas and Gabriella, King and Queen of this Eastern Realm, do acknowledge that among our many and diverse subjects, one shines forth for her dogged and faithful service to the realm.
Diana the Wanderer has served our people for two decades, in all manners and forms, supporting the arts, the sciences and the defense of the Kingdom.
Long has she hidden herself in our Barony of Carillion, designing devious archery targets, to prepare our bowmen for battle. She has nurtured new people into the fold, supporting and instructing them in their nascent explorations of the culture of the East. She has healed the injured, and done due diligence as troll. And she has organized and executed many a royal favor for the gentle hand of the Queen to bestow upon the worthy.
Come forth, we injure, let the light of our pleasure with your acts shine upon you, that all may know, here is one truly worthy to be inducted into our Order of the Silver Crescent.
Done this 6th Day of June, A.S. XLIV, at Icefalcon's Ducal Challenge, in our Barony of Iron Bog.

Calligraphy only...

2008-06-27T12:04:00.002-05:00

I did the calligraphy and the illumination was by Lady Lilly of the Valley.

OTC for D

2008-05-06T14:01:00.002-05:00

Here is the OTC that I did for:
Name: Diomedes Sebastianus
Award: Tygers Combattant
Date: April 12, 2008 AS XLII
Event: Coronation - First Court of Konrad & Brenwen, Ostgardr
SOSN: KB08-017

Here were the words written by Sir Lucius Aurelius Varus:

Banner streams from staff held high, sword glistens in sinister hand thirsting for blood of foemen, Diomedes Sebastianus into battle flies. Know that We, Konrad, mighty King of the East, and Our most beloved Queen Brenwen, would recognize the skill, daring and bravery of this most dashing and noble warrior, and having given ear unto the behests of the members of the order, do hereby induct him with full hearts into Our Order of the Tygers Combatant, with all rights responsibilities and expectations inherent thereunto. This we do by Our hands upon the day of Our ascension unto the Tyger thrones, this 12th day of April, AS XLII, in Our Province of Ostgardr.

Southern Region War Camp...

2007-07-24T08:43:00.000-05:00

What a nice event...had an awesome time visiting with people I haven't seen in a LONG time...some since Birka!

The cool part was sitting in court...watch the AOA that Khatife and I did...and seeing the girl receive it and LOVE it! She had tears in her eyes and couldn't stop looking at it!!! It was cool!

Illumination by: Khatife

Calligraphy by: Ding Li Ying Nu Shr

Words by: Sir Lucius Aurelius Varus

Gryffith and Aikaterine, rightful sovereigns of the East unto Our beloved people, greetings.
Know that it is Our greatest pleasure to reward nobility where it is manifest, and we find it no more so in Our servant Ratnavati Bai. A true daughter of the East, a flower of India, a most generous and hardworking lady.

So do We award unto her Arms, to wit: to be hers singularly and in perpetuity.

This We do by Our hands this 21st day of July, A.S. XLII at Southern Region War Camp in Our Shire of Eisental.

Yet another scroll...

2007-07-18T12:11:00.001-05:00

I can't post it yet, as it's being presented on Saturday at SRWC, but I'm working on a pretty cool scroll. My drum teacher Khatife, formally Khavi, has started doing illumination and she's really good!

I did the calligraphy on the scroll. It was a totally new hand for me, but I like the results and am looking forward to posting pictures after Saturday!

One of three New Orders in the East Kingdom - "Order of the Gawain"

2007-06-05T15:16:00.000-05:00

Order of Gawain - This is an Order of Honor, which means it doesn't carry an AOA, and ranks the same as a QOC, Burdened Tyger, Troubadour, Terpsichore, Tygers Cub. This is an award for Youth, in all of the combat disciplines - youth combat, archery, equestrian, thrown weapons, or anything else that kids can do in a martial area. The proposed badge is a green garter with a gold star on the tab end. I tried to download a picture, but I'm too much of a computer idiot to have done it right. If you've seen the badge of chivalry (white belt looped around in a circle with the belt end hanging down) then it's the same thing only green with a gold star. The kids will be given an actual green garter to wear on their arms.

This assignment:
Name: Ajax of Panther Vale (m)
Award: Order of Gawain
Date: May 26, 2007 AS XLII
Event: Panteria, Panther Vale
SOSN: GA07-65

Calligraphy, Illumination and Words by me

Materials:
Pergamenata - in white
Permacol - for gilding
23K patent gold
Windsor Newton gouache
Schminkie gold watercolor

Words:
Be it known unto all that this dedicated and courteous gentle serves Our Kingdom well.

A founding fighter in his shire’s Youth Combat program, Ajax of Panther Vale not only constructed his own fighting kit but assists others in becoming fully ready for the list field. He diligently attends fighter practice and is a valuable part of demos.

For this and more, We, Gryffith, mighty king of these Eastern Lands, and Aikaterine, beautiful and gracious queen, do recognize his contributions to Our future warriors and induct him into the Order of the Gawain.

Done this 26th Day of May, AS XLII, at Panteria XII in Our fair Shire of Panther Vale.

ooh...

2007-04-19T08:05:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention that at Coronation, all the scribes that did at least 1 scroll for Lucan's and Yana's reign recieved at QHD!

AND...Clodagh and I tied for 3rd place for having completed the most scrolls with 11 each!!!

2nd was Sarra the Lymner with 15 and 1st was Katherine Stanhope with 18!!!

VIVAT!!!

2007-04-19T07:28:00.000-05:00

Court Baronetcy for Caoilfhionn inghean Fhaolain

Inspired by the Katherine Hours, fol. 62v
c. 1480-85 France

Calligraphy by: Ding Li Ying
Illumination by: Lady Clodagh Saorla inghean Cinneide
Words by: Lord Diomedes Sebastianus

Declaration:

hear these words

and be it known,

in this matter

where worth be shown...

'Fore in our presence,

amongst our ranks

's a form we know

and do owe this thanks!

Recorder of history

- much pictures, we're fond -

advising, notation, retaining, so on...

Sharp of wit and faire of face,

strong of will, a mermaid grace.

Always able, nary to complain.

adroit be she,

Caoilfhionn inghean Fhaolain.

Before your Crown, their blessing we see

This day forth be known

As Court "Her Excellency".

Given this 14th day of April, in the XLI day of our Society,

by the hands of Lucan and Yana, King and Queen of the East Kingdom.

Dizzy's AOA

2007-03-26T09:17:00.000-05:00

Calligraphy & Illumination by me
It was based on an Armenian piece that I felt worked with this design.

Words by: Lord Diomedes Sebastianus, based on 10th century Bylina/Byliny Rus narrative poetry
Russian translation by: Natasha Karaulova

Materials:
Pergamenata
Windsor Newtown gouache
Sumi gold watercolor

Words:
"Song about Desdemoniada Natasha Iyawsnbyelka"

There once was a young maiden named Desdemoniada, who lived in a great Kingdom where she danced, and sang, and wore lemon colored dresses. She smiled and was helpful to anyone in need. Young Desdemona found herself serving the mighty Prince and beautiful Princess. One day, war came to the Kingdom. All of the peoples of the land rallied to the defense of the Kingdom, Desdemona came too.

As happens in wars, many helped in many ways. But, as time goes on, people become tired and the work becomes hard. But Desdemoniada danced, sang, and wore lemon colored dresses every day and every night. When the mood became heavy, her songs and dances lifted the spirits of all near by. When the work became hard, she helped all the while singing and dancing.

Finally, the war was over and the Kingdom was Victorious. Suddenly, Desdemoniada stopped singing, and dancing. For she had used up all of her song and all of her dance for her Kingdom.

Once the mighty Prince and beautiful Princess became King and Queen, they remembered the young lass Desdamona in her lemon colored clothes, and they missed her songs and her dances. They decided that she should be rewarded for her hard work and endless enthusiasm during the war, and that's just what they did...

At Mudthaw, in the Barony of Settmour Swamp on March 24, AS XLI, the maiden Desdemoniada Natasha Iyawsnbyelkawas was made a Lady and awarded Arms. After this, she found that she could again sing and dance. And all again enjoyed it, and the lemon dresses.

Russian:

Russian calligraphy done with first layer of paint...

English calligraphy complete...was a tight squeeze...

Final piece...

Another view...

Mendee's Maunche

2007-03-26T07:19:00.000-05:00

She was so surprised...or that was what I was told.

I did the illumination...based on this Chinese pattern:

I'm pretty happy with how it came out and she loved it so that's all that matters, right?

Words, Mongolian translation & calligraphy by: Gülügjab Tangghudai (aka. Puppy)
Chinese translation and calligraphy by my dad: Shr Ti Fun

Materials:
14X17 Bristol Board (vellum finish)
Windsor Newtown gouache
Sumi gold water color

Words:
Imperial Edict:

Bambar Gho'a has reverently followed the way of heaven, honoring thy Kingdom, has presented thy skill in art, calligraphy, and teaching Mongol language and culture.

Sincere, true will has been seen.

We are pleased to grant inclusion in the Order of the Maunche answering thee because of thy good will.

On the 6th of the 2nd moon of the Fire Pig year. [March 24th, 2007]

Mongolian:
Khaγan-u Jrlγ:

Bambar γoo-a tngri-yin aγur-i hündülen daγan, degedüs-i erhimlen, hümün khaγan du ulus-iyen degedülen, uraliγ uran saiikhan, hichiyenggüi bichig, Mongγol hele soyol-i delger-gül-hed erdem chidala üjegülehü, abiyas bilig-iyee negehü, uran chidaburi-ban γarγahu.

Ching ünen jorig üjegdebei.

Eiimu du bida chinu saiin joriγ-un dula Maunche-iin jerge-dü elsegüljü baiina.

γal γahai jil-u hoyar sar-a-iin jirγuγan. [March 24th, 2007]

Sketched, one layer of paint and the calligraphy are done...

Another layer of paint...

Final piece...

Soon...

2007-03-25T18:02:00.000-05:00

Very soon I will post the 2 scrolls that went out yesterday =)

I of course don't have the pics here...only the wording...so I will post everything tomorrow!

90% done...

2007-03-22T22:05:00.000-05:00

I just have to flesh out the details on the flowers and then I'm done! Right now all the other detailing I did is drying.

I can't wait until Saturday, when I can post these two scrolls...usually when I take on more than one assignment, I use the same manuscript for both (kinda like an assembly line) if that's appropriate...because it keeps me in tune...same style, same hand...

With these 2 scrolls...I'm working with not only 2 centuries, 2 countries BUT FOUR different launguages (and I can't tell you yet which ones or someone might guess whom they were for)...

I'm in the home stretch...

Almost done!

2007-03-21T15:13:00.000-05:00

I am currently working on scroll 2 of 2. Scroll 1 is done and I should be finishing up the other one today/tomorrow. I can't wait until Saturday is done so that I can post them!!!! I think they are coming out (came out) AWESOME...

You'll have to wait and be the judge soon =P

Petra's AOA

2007-02-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

Doing this scroll was AWESOME and the look on Petra's face when she got it was so worth it! She loves it and couldn't stop looking at it! Doing things like this totally make my day!

Sorcha and Petra with their AOAs.

This is a close up of Petra's scroll. I also have a close up of Sorcha's scroll somewhere. I have to dig it up and post it here too!

From this angle you can see the raised gilding.

Calligraphy and Illumination by me (Ding Li Ying)
Words by: Sir Lucius Aurelius Varus

This piece is also inspired by the Prayer Book of Michelino de Besozzo,
15th-century Italy

Materials:
Raised gilding with Permacoll and 23K patent gold
Windsor Newton gouche paint
Schminkie gold watercolor
Pelican ink
Brause 2mm nib

This was a new-ish hand for me...Rotunda. I have only used it once before...so I was a bit rusty.

Words (to be added)

Demi's QoC

2007-02-01T10:10:00.000-05:00

Originally this scroll was suppose to be given out at 12th Night, but Demi was sick and couldn't make it to the event. Instead, she got it this past weekend at Birka.

Here is a picture of her when she got it...she was crying and didn't want her picture taken!

Inspired by the Prayer Book of Michelino de Besozzo,
15th-century Italy

Calligraphy is by me (Ding Li Ying)
Illumination is by Lady Clodagh Saorla inghean Cinneide
Words by Sir Lucius Aurelius Varus
Glove by Lady Eilis of Eisental

I'm not sure of the materials that Clodagh used. For the calligraphy, I used Pelican ink, 1 3/4 mm Brause nib on Pergamenata (natural color in double weight).

Words (will be posted later)

Close Up of scroll (will be posted later)

My first person!!!

2006-11-22T09:43:00.000-05:00

If you know me, you know that I can't draw PEOPLE! They are hard to draw and when I do they look..."off".

Anyway, I semi-passed the hurdle and completed my first person!

Calligraphy & Illumination by: Ding Li Ying Nu Shr (that's me =))

Words by: Maestra Dresden Pennello di Quadro Voce

"Rejoice and clap hands, make jubilation for praising becomes the virtuous.

A natural teacher and perpetual student, this luminary gentle shares freely what she knows, nurtures others in their pursuits and continually endeavors to improve her own.

Having noted her many and varied worthy efforts within Our esteemed scribal community and the impact her good work has throughout Our Eastern Realm, We, King Brion and Queen Anna, are well moved to acknowledge the scholastic and skill of Alayne Alexandra Nyvern Nightwatcher by inviting her into Our Order of the Manche.

Done by Our hands this twenty-third day of September AS XLI, at The Tiltyard of Linenfield in Our Barony of Concordia of the Snows."

Materials:
Pergamenata (antique double weight)
Winsor Newton gouache
Schminkie gold watercolor
Micron pens (black, red and blue)

My first Cadel

2006-11-02T12:17:00.000-05:00

"Let all attend that you shall know
Matthuas Plattnersohn
Did to our Kingdom beauty show.
This quiet gentleman
By his hand created
Art and armor, clothes and more
And yet his muse, unsated,

By these alone, he turned his hand
To glorious stained glass
And the Renaissance Masters grand
To study and surpass.
He who was largely self taught,
In arts and sciences diverse
Is his life now fraught.

With all his skill he is now bound
By King and Queen’s commands
To join companions all around
Within these Eastern lands,
Created by our hand a
Companion of the Maunche is he,
In fair Malagentia.

Fifteen July, year Forty-one
At Great Northeastern War
By Anna Queen and King Brion
Have set their Hand full score."

Words by: Mistress Alayne Alexandra Nyvern Nightwatcher

After the style of Hans Sachs (September 5, 1494 - January 19, 1576) a German meistersinger ("mastersinger"), poet and shoemaker.

Calligraphy & Illumination by: Ding Li Ying Nu Shr

Inspired by “The Revelation of St. John (Apocalypse) – Title Page” (1497-1498) a woodcut by Albrecht DÜRER (1471-1528), German Renaissance artist, painter and printmaker.

Materials:
Pergamenata (vegetable vellum), Winsor Newton gouache, black WN calligraphy ink, and various nibs

Bling bling...

2006-11-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

...the beginning of some pretty goldwork scrolls.

This is the outline of the scroll and the goldwork complete...

Finished product!

"May it be told unto all good people that it is the duty of the Queen to encourage and nourish chivalry and courtesy throughout the Realm, it is also in her power to recognize those of Her subjects whose display of such behavior makes them worthy of note. Therefore, We Roxane Regina are pleased to induct Duke Ronald Wilmont into out Queen’s Order of Courtesy, in recognition of his attainment of these virtues. Done this 27th day of September, A. S. 38 at the Last Court of Darius II and Roxane II in Our Barony of Dragonship Haven."

Words, calligraphy & illumination by me...

Inspired by the Visconti Hours

Materials:
Bristol Board (acid free, vellum finish), Winsor Newton gouache, permacoll, 22K gold leaf, black permanent calligraphy ink (WN) and #2 brause nib.

Next...

2006-11-01T20:34:00.000-05:00

Scroll reads:

"All Hail Elizabeth Hawkwood, who hits the mark in her service to the Kingdom of the East.

Whether making the rounds to promote the Royal Rounds in rain and shine, or encouraging folks to horse around in the Equestrian Arts has this Lady served not only her local Barony but groups near and far.

By her tireless service has she earned a place in the ranks of our Order of the Silver Crescent, done this 22nd of November, AS XXXVIII in our Royal Forest of Rusted Woodlands on the occasion of the 100 Minutes War.

By Our hand:

Balfar, Rex Luna, Regina"

Recipient: Elizabeth Hawkwood

Award: Silver Crescent

Date: 11/22/03

Event: 100 Minutes War

Royals: Balfar IV and Luna IV

Inspired by: The Black Hours, ~1475, Bruges, Folios 18 verso/19 recto

Materials:
Winsor Newton gouache, black card stock (acid free), silver and gold schminke watercolor, permacoll (for gilding), 22K gold leaf and 10K white gold leaf.

For the calligraphy, I watered down the schminke silver watercolor and mixed it with a little WN imitation silver gouache. I used a #1 Brause nib.
____________________________
This is one of my favorite scrolls. I was so pleased with the way this turned out. I wanted to keep it for myself!! It was amazing working on the dark paper and I loved how the calligraphy came out in silver.

First piece...

2006-11-01T19:52:00.000-05:00

not the first piece that I ever did, just the first piece that I'm going to showcase.

Recipient: Chou Fei-Hong

Event and Date of Assignment: War of the Roses XXIII K & Q A & S Archery Champions – Barony of Concordia of the Snows on 5/24/03 (AS 38)

Documentation:

On the scroll...I painted the bamboo. The reason I chose to paint bamboo is because it is one of the 4 traditional plants in Chinese paintings. Bamboo is referred to as the "Perfect Gentleman", which I though perfectly reflected the nature of the recipient of the award.

My dad did the calligraphy...he wrote on the top left hand corner, the recipient’s name in Chinese. Below that is a famous poem that says, “Work, if you don’t do work, you don’t grow. The Road, if you don’t walk down the road, you cannot arrive” and under that is my dad's name (in Chinese (mandarin) his name is "Shr Ti Fun") and he states that he did the calligraphy. On the bottom right hand corner is the date and my name. My chop and my dad's chops are on it (chop is a seal carved in stone with your name on it. They were pressed onto white rice paper and glued to the scroll - to show the color contrast).

The scroll itself was a pre-made blank scroll. It is high quality rice paper mounted on silk. The time period for this style goes back to the Han Dynasty when the Chinese first painted on paper and then mounted it on silk (prior to this they painted directly on the silk). The poem that is on the scroll is by a Chinese scroll that is approximately 1000 yrs old. It is in the old style literary language, poetic form (in modern Chinese is form is literally translate into "white language" or everyday language). The words on the scroll are a poem that basically explains that he's a hard worker and that's how he got where he is.

As for the medium used, the bamboo and calligraphy are done in ink where the Chinese ink stick is rubbed into an ink stone with water until you get the color you want, which is very dark black (takes a good 20 minutes of grinding the ink stick). Then I watered the ink down to paint the stalks. In traditional Chinese painting, the stalks are a lighter gray with dark joints shoots and leaves.

The award is an AOA for a gentleman that's been in the SCA over 10 years...he is a hard worker who has contributed much for his Kingdom and barony.

*Please NOTE: I originally did on plain rice paper with gold speckled paper to back it, but in the process of backing it...it got ripped in half! HORROR STORY from this weekend. In order to make it up to me my dad gave me the pre-made scroll that he had had and that's what the final scroll is on.*

Place to post scrolls and documentation...

2006-11-01T15:22:00.000-05:00

With the recent crash of my home computer and the limited disk space at work, I've decided to keep a blog on all my scrolls and documentation.

I have other places where things are scattered, but this will be all MINE!!!!

muh ha ha ha ha

*can you hear the evil laugh in the background?*

*can you tell that I like to be in control!*