Kathryn Holeman's Blog: Colouring Tudor History, page 2

Inside the Book: Henry VIII and the Black Book of the Garter

The 21st illustration in Tudor Queens and Consorts is based on a detail of an illumination from the Black Book of the Garter (Liber Niger), commissioned by Henry VIII in 1534. It is the earliest surviving register of the Order of the Garter. The illuminations are attributed to Lucas Hornebolte, a Flemish painter who worked as a miniaturist at the court of Henry VIII.

Horneboult (an anglicised version of his real name, Horenbout) was the court-appointed painter from 1525 until his death in...

Elizabeth I Rainbow Portrait

The “Rainbow Portrait” of Elizabeth I is a much-loved and discussed art treasure that I’ve always wanted to sketch in my own style. I love this majestic piece for it’s multi-layered meaning to Tudor history enthusiasts, women in leadership, and the call for unity and peace. In small print on the original portrait, you will find the words ‘Non Sine Sole Iris’ which translate to ‘No Rainbow Without The Sun”. Originally intended to display the power and majesty of Elizabeth I, it still feels...

Inside the Book: Henry’s Reconciliation with Anne Boleyn

Illustration inspired by ‘Henry’s Reconciliation with Anne Boleyn’, etching by George Cruikshank, c.1843.

At long last I have finished coloring the 20th illustration in Tudor Queens and Consorts. This is one of my favorite pages because it is a full scene featuring both Anne and Henry! This page is inspired by George Cruikshank’s nineteenth-century etching entitled ‘Henry’s Reconciliation with Anne Boleyn.’ You may recognize the artist’s name and style from his illustrations for Charles...

Ultimate Tudor Christmas Package

We are thrilled to announce the perfect, complete gift package for the Tudor queen or king in your life. Fans of Tudor history know well that gift-giving is a dangerous business, and this package allows you to curate your selections to ensure peace and joy in your realm on Christmas morning. The limited edition package includes $100 worth of Tudor treasures for only $59.99 USD. It is gift wrapped with care using our illustrated Tudor pattern paper and ships for free within the United States....

Inside the Book: Patent Granted to Anne Boleyn as Marquis of Pembroke

The 19th illustration in Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts features the main decoration on a patent granted to Anne Boleyn as Marquess of Pembroke. The historiated initial “H” (enricus) encloses the imperial falcon of Anne Boleyn against a background of the royal colors. Due to the excellent condition of the original art and the solid line work, this artifact was just calling to be turned into a coloring page.

From Natalie Grueninger’s article at OnTheTudorTrail.com:

At Windsor Castle, on...

Inside the Book: Tudor Era Headdresses

Arriving at the 18th illustration in Tudor Queens and Consorts, we are now looking at one of the first topics we had outlined for this book. Natalie and I knew we wanted to dive deeper into Tudor history with our second book in the Colouring History series, and that certainly includes the clothing fashions of the time. This page did not involve a heavy amount of research since there are lovely examples of Tudor-era headdresses and hoods found in countless portraits and manuscripts. The below...

Inside the Book: Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn portrait page from Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts

It’s hard to believe I filmed the below video over two years ago! Through the online presence of Colouring Tudor History and my books with Natalie Grueninger, I have connected with many wonderful people from all over the world. For that I am truly grateful. It’s with great pleasure that I am sharing the 17th illustration from ‘Tudor Queens and Consorts’, based on a woman and queen who has inspired so much fascination...

Inside the Book: Alhambra Palace

Our final illustration in the Katherine of Aragon section from Tudor Queens and Consorts features the Alhambra Palace. Overlooking the city of Granada, and set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra Palace is a sprawling fortress complex originally built in the thirteenth century by the Nasrid Kings. Katherine of Aragon lived within these ancient walls for the final two years of her life in Spain.

While this image of the palace is famous and often photographed, a special tha...

Inside the Book: Noble Coeur Loyal

Courtiers hold open the flaps of a royal tent as a 19-year-old King Henry VIII enters the tiltyard at Westminster. This illustration is inspired by a section of the 1511 Westminster Tournament Roll in the College of Arms collections. It visually records an elaborate tournament that took place on February 12-13 to celebrate the birth of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon’s first son, Henry, Duke of Cornwall. I love that the “K” for Katherine seems to cover every fabric design in a gesture of...

Inside the Book: Katherine of Aragon

A colored-in version of Katherine of Aragon from Tudor Queens and Consorts.

Here ye, here ye! We have at last turned the page to welcome one of my favorite queens in Tudor Queens and Consorts — Katherine of Aragon.

My interpretation of Katherine is based on a portrait done in 1531 by an unknown artist. In this scene, she is offering a coin to her pet monkey. Instead, he prefers the crucifix, representing Katherine’s devotion to the church in the final years of her marriage to King Henry VIII...