Join us on this practical workshop to make your own illuminated letter to take home or give as a festive gift.

Join us on this practical workshop with expert artist Sarah Davis to make your very own gold leaf illuminated letter to take home or give as a festive gift.

Artist Sarah Davis will lead the session using an array of medieval techniques and materials, including 23ct gold leaf. From simple golden capitals to initials filled with mythical creatures, illuminated letters are a key feature of medieval manuscripts and are a beautiful way to create a unique miniature artwork.

We will be taking inspiration from the gorgeous 13th century Wilton Psalter (https://history.rcp.ac.uk/book1/) – the oldest European book in the RCP Heritage Library. We will peel back the layers to understand how our medieval counterparts created these beautiful illuminated letters.

In this workshop, you will:

Get rare book librarian Katie Birkwood’s introduction to the Wilton Psalter seeing the actual book up close

Gain an introduction to the function of illuminated letters used in medieval manuscripts.

Learn about the traditional tools and materials used in creating medieval manuscripts.

Use a historic transfer technique to trace your design on to paper.

Apply glue to the illuminated areas and lay real 23ct gold leaf.

Burnish the gold to create a beautiful shine.

Add colour using miniature brushes and gouache paint.

Light refreshments will be provided, lunch is not included. There is a garden and pace on site for eating packed lunches.

Tickets: £90 per head including all materials, tools and gold leaf

Artist bio

Sarah Davis (http://www.sarahgdavis.co.uk/) is a multi-media artist exploring themes relating to the cyclical nature of recovery and renewal. Sarah uses traditional making techniques with a deep historical resonance, such as wood carving and illumination. Sarah has been practising the endangered art of illumination since 2020 and now teaches widely on the subject. Graduating from Chelsea College of art in 2012 with a BA in Fine Art, she returned to education in 2015 to study woodcarving and gilding at the City & Guilds of London Art school, where she now teaches on the Woodcarving BA and Conservation BA respectively. She was the Kelmscott Manor Maker in Residence for 2024 and spent the time focussing on the art of illumination.

Description supplied by the event organiser.