Illumination Complete

8/6/2019 Illumination Complete

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Illuminations

A Lesson in the art of

Illuminated LettersPlay music


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Where do we begin?

Right now your all probably wondering..

What is an illumination?

When werethey Made? Who madethem and how werethey made?

Why is it importantto learn aboutthem?

How can I make one?

So lets find out!


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What is and Illumination?

An Illumination is an

EMBELLISHMENT, or

additional decoration that

enhances the pages of a

written, or manuscript page.

Theterm, Illumination

comes from theterm

Illuminate, orto fill with

light. This effect is gold leafto the letters and images,

which reflect light and

appearto glow.


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An Illuminated letter was

usually the first letter of a

page or paragraph. It wasalways enlarged and in

color with gold applied in

areas, while the rest of

the text remained black.

The images used to

enhance the letters

include animals, plants,

and mythological

creatures. These imageswere modified to fit into

or around the letter, or in

some cases took on the

shape of the letter itself.


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In the year 1397..Because the recording of historical eventswas such an important task, illuminations were ordered by thekings and religious leaders to be added to various pages in order to

add interest and importance to their appearance. Do you think theyused a computer?


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When were they made?

The Egyptians were the first culture known to document eventsby use ofIlluminated Manuscripts. One of the most famousbeing the Book OfThe Dead that dates back to 1310 B.C..


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As written languages

developed, variouscountries adopted the

idea of illuminatingtheirmanuscripts and carriedon thetradition forhundreds of years intoMedieval Europe duringthe Middle Ages.

By the 7th century,

Illuminations became ahighly respected ArtForm. Atthis time someofthe most beautiful andfamous illuminationswere now being createdin Ireland and England.


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Who created them?

There were 3 people involved in the creationofilluminations:

TheParchmenter who prepared

the drawing and writing surface.

TheScribe, who copied

information onto each

page.

TheIlluminatorwhoactually created the

illuminated letters and

other decorations on each

page.

Duringthe Middle Agesmost ofthis kind of work

was done in monasteries,

so all ofthese jobs were

performed by monks.


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TThehe PParchmenterarchmenter TThe wordhe word PARCHMENTPARCHMENT usuallyusually

refers to a surface made ofrefers to a surface made of

sheepskin, whilesheepskin, while VELLUMVELLUM refersrefers

to a surface made of calfskin.to a surface made of calfskin.

Both of these were made byBoth of these were made by

stretching the skin in the sun, andstretching the skin in the sun, and

burnishing it with a roundedburnishing it with a rounded

stone repeatedly to create astone repeatedly to create a

smooth surfacesmooth surface

TThehe ParchmenterParchmenter preparedprepared

animal skins to be used as wittinganimal skins to be used as witting

surfaces. During the early Middlesurfaces. During the early MiddleAges paper from wood pulp wasAges paper from wood pulp was

not available yet. Thus the use ofnot available yet. Thus the use of

animal skins as a writing surfaceanimal skins as a writing surface

was typical practice all over thewas typical practice all over the

world.world.


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The Scribe The scribe was the person in

charge of copying words andstories onto pages of parchmentto be made into a book.

Upon receivingthe parchment

and checking it for flaws, the

scribe would then have severaltools to prepare before sittingdown to write.

He would haveto sharpen his quill pen made from a birds

feather. Then hed haveto preparehis inks made from ashes,

plant material, and egg whites. It was then thathed beready to

start writing.


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The Illuminator

Once all ofthetext was inplace, the scribe would

pass the pages to be done

onto the Illuminator who

would begin to add the

decorative images we call

ILLUMINATIONS. He would first make a

rough sketch, hen outline

that with pen. Thegold leafwould then go on first,

followed by all the other

colors made from ground

up stones and plants.


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Importance ofIlluminations

Illuminations defined a time in history when theability to read was sacred and reserved forreligiousleaders orthose born ofroyal blood.

Because ittook great skill to create such items ofbeauty and becausethese creations were soimportant, it was a greattime in history for artists!For withouttheir skills and talents such beautifulimages might nothaveeverexisted!

Do you ever see illuminated letters anywhere?Think about this question the next time you go toa gift shop or a book store!


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How can you make one you ask?

Usingthe materials yourteacher provides for you, you can make anIlluminated letter usingthese simple steps. Heres what youll need:

A square piece of drawing paper

Apencil and eraserA rulerto make a boarder and uses for straight lines

Aletter of your name (first letter ofeither first or last name) A theme you aregoingto base your letter around, forexample,

a mythological creature, or a variety of plants.

A black sharpie marker

A box of Crayons for color and gold crayon forgold leaf (pushhard)

Aplan ofhow to contrast warm and cool colors. A brush to paint in between the crayon


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Documents

Illumination Complete