Illuminated Manuscripts

The ProcessO Made out of parchment (what is

parchment?)O The Scribe would copy the text from

the page of the specific manuscript using a quill and ink.

O The Illuminator created the decorations on each page.

O After the scribe and illuminator were finished with their work, the pages were bound together to create a book.

The Book of Kells

• An illuminated manuscript written in Latin, contains the

four Gospels of the New Testament along with various

other texts and tables.

• It was created in the Columban monastery in either Britain or Ireland

around 800 A.D.

The Book of Kells

• Decoration combines traditional Christian

iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular art.

The Book of Kells

Decorative elements include:

• Human figures• Animals

• Mythical beasts• Celtic knots

• Interlacing patterns• Vibrant colors

Illuminated Manuscript –Studio Project

O Your manuscript must include:O Your initial(s)O 1 inch border

(all sides)O Repeated

patternsO Motifs used in

traditional I.M.s

Step OneO Using a pencil, create

a 1 inch border around the edges of your paper.

O Draw your initial (first, last, or both) in the center. This letter should be decorative, you may print a letter to trace if you wish.

O Draw in remaining details.

Step Tw0O Once you are

satisfied with your design, go over all pencil lines with a Sharpie.

Step 3O Begin adding

color using crayons.

O Practice blending colors together

O IMPORTANT: any area that is not colored in will be BLACK after step 4.

Step 4O Paint india ink over your entire

paper. Do this quickly, don’t allow ink to dry.

O Quickly blot away excess ink with a paper towel

O This step must be done IN CLASS.