Lyrical Lombardics (Harvest Crittenden: 2.5 day)
Skill Level: All
Deriving its name from the Lombardic region of Italy these capitals were widely used in scriptoriums that Charlemagne set up throughout Europe. This script of beautiful, decorative capitals dates back many centuries but is best known for its use in the Psalters, the songbooks, used in churches during the Middle Ages. But don’t think that these glorious capitals are best left in the past! Lombardic Capitals are every bit as useful today as they were 800 years ago.
This class is designed to teach you the delights of this drawn letterform. From the most formal resolution or monogram to the most informal card, Lombardic Capitals will fit the bill every time. First, the formal, by looking at historical samples we can see the variety of shapes and uses that are handed down to us. We will begin with the basic drawn shapes that make up the script.
We will cover painting techniques, step by step, to build up roundness and depth of form along with shading, and highlights. There will be a section on filigree and simple gilding. You will even learn how to make your own shell gold. And this is just the first day & a half.
Then….we’ll funk it up. Time to twist and turn, modernize and make them your own. We will cover all the tips and tricks for beautiful, fast and fabulous Lombardics perfect for a multitude of applications. We’ll play with colored pencils, markers and other fun applications that compliment these shapes.
This is a fun and fast paced class designed for all levels. Each student will have a finished formal Lombardic Capital with gilding and a modern Lombardic Capital that are suitable for framing as well as a complete book of models and samples to take home.
Supply List: 6 – 5”x7” sheets of Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper 140 lb.; simple gouache palette of at least 3 primary colors + black and white; 2 fine point brushe (suggest 00); 1 scruffy mixing brush; paper towels; water container; mixing palette; waterproof black ink or Pigma pen; 1 pointed nib & holder for fine line drawing (or the above Pigma pen); HB or harder pencil; ruler; embossing tool with small ends. Optional: colored pencils; watercolor pencils; gel pens; markers; very fine waterproof pens in other coloirs; any new things you want to try; deskstand magnifying glass.
Supply Fee: $15 to cover powdered gold, gum arabic, 23K leaf gold, mylar, glassine, grid paper, drafting vellum, Saral, full color booklet, gold sizing, and several other tools for sharing.
About the instructor: Harvest Crittenden has been a professional lettering artist for more than 30 years. She specializes in Sacred Art work – calligraphy and illustration illuminating words that inspire and support our ever-changing world. Crittenden has studied illumination and lettering in the United States and Italy and has served on the faculties of numerous regional, national, and international conferences. She also teaches for the St. Michael Institute of Sacred Arts, The Religious Sisters of Mercy, Hollanders School of Book and Paper Arts, and offers workshops internationally. She is a past winner of the Marjorie Pavelich Calligraphy Grant, and past president of The Michigan Association of Calligraphers. In 2010 she was inducted as a Master Penman by IAMPETH. Her work can be seen in museums, galleries, and private collections throughout the United States and Europe, and in numerous publications. Her website is http://www.acornarts.org
