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The Bible of Illuminated Letters: A Complete Guide to Decorative Calligraphy & Gilding
The ancient art of illuminating manuscripts is currently attracting many new enthusiasts among artists, art students, and lovers of calligraphy. The Bible of Illuminated Letters is a volume they'll all want to add to their collections. It presents step-by-step instructions for recreating twelve illuminated alphabets. Among them are Celtic, Saxon, Gothic, Romanesque, Modern Revival, and seven more, including several modern scripts. Detailed diagrams instruct on creating upper- and lower-case letters, as well as on ways for designing borders and decorations. More ambitious students can also follow clear directions for gilding--decorating with gold leaf--as was originally done in medieval European monasteries. Readers and students of illumination who open this book will find: a history of illumination; required tools, techniques, and materials for illuminating; instruction in layout and design; and steps to follow in order to create 12 alphabet styles. This beautiful book also features a picture gallery of outstanding historical and contemporary illuminated letters, as well as a glossary and index. More than 400 inspiring color illustrations in total.
256 pages, Spiral-bound
First published January 27, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 19, 2014
Bought this at used book store sale--great eye candy, and it does inspire me to do some painting! also after reading descriptions of the various styles, I was chuffed to find I could correctly identify what is what. well, i could for at least a while.
The part about how to do all the gilding and painting though is a bit different than what Debbie Thompson Wilson taught us in the class--maybe this is more advanced. Anyway, it's a keeper, this book--looks like it will serve well as a technique manual and as a source of ideas.
The part about how to do all the gilding and painting though is a bit different than what Debbie Thompson Wilson taught us in the class--maybe this is more advanced. Anyway, it's a keeper, this book--looks like it will serve well as a technique manual and as a source of ideas.
December 16, 2009
I've only browsed through the book, but from what I've seen it's a very comprehensive book, providing information on 6 calligraphy alphabets, namely Celtic, Ottonian, Romansque, Gothic, Renaissance: White Vine and Renaissance: Neo-Classical.
A major plus: Provides alterations/different ways you can write the alphabet.
A major plus: Provides alterations/different ways you can write the alphabet.
March 23, 2026
Absolutely beyond amazing and comprehensive guide on illuminated letters, with pages dedicated to step by step instructions on how to create your own, so specific and informative, telling everything you’d need to learn down to what paper to use and what formats for pages were commonly used. Apart from that, it contains extensive examples of every letter of the alphabet and numbers in numerous styles of illuminated letters and also the script that would follow (loved how it shows what order in which to write the letters in) truly one of my favourite books of all time as an artist and I would absolutely recommend this and this resource alone, if you must pick only one, in which to learn the art of illuminated manuscripts or even just learn more.
January 4, 2018
This wonderful book provides a complete how-to in using pens, brushes, gilding, gouache, egg tempera, transferring designs to paper, borders, etc. AND the author provides histories and step-by-step demonstrations of the full alphabet for Celtic, Ottoman, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance White Vine, and Renaissance Neo-Classical styles. I also like the wire binding inside that allows for the book to lie flat. In the back are wonderful examples by various calligraphers, such as author Margaret Morgan, Rosemary Buczek, Manny Ling, Peter Halliday, Mary Noble, Marlene Gray, and others.
October 1, 2023
Fantastic and I do not regret buying this at all! It's a bit spendy but worth the money. It has everything in it you could ever want for beginners to advanced Calligraphers. Tons and tons of fonts with step by step instructions! Definitely 10/10 recommend this book!!!
August 9, 2020
Good resource.
August 4, 2024
A MUST FOR CALLIGRAPHERS
A Veritable Textbook on Illumination with all styles from Celtic to Renaissance covered ,including the goof proof way to apply gold leaf.
One for calligraphers library or as a valued present to a Calligrapher.I bought this as an e-book but consider it for a print version.
A Veritable Textbook on Illumination with all styles from Celtic to Renaissance covered ,including the goof proof way to apply gold leaf.
One for calligraphers library or as a valued present to a Calligrapher.I bought this as an e-book but consider it for a print version.
August 22, 2014
This is probably THE cornerstone work for illumination and calligraphy. Not only are step-by-step processes outlined, but there are also amazing historical examples to work from. This is the book to get if you are interested in learning illumination.
October 3, 2008
If you're looking to get into illumination or gilding (or even calligraphy!), this is the book to read. EXCELLENT technique explanations.
January 1, 2011
Fabulous Reference material, details on recreating illuminated manuscript, and historical referencs
October 26, 2013
A must have for anyone looking to study illumination!
December 31, 2015
Another useful reference for beginning and other levels of calligraphers. It's also gorgeous for getting inspired to create something unique as a gift.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews