[Artemisia] Scribal Materials

Fri Jun 22 23:43:25 CDT 2012

Greetings,
I found Michael's opinions on paint interesting. In the interest of diversity, here is my take:

The materials I prefer for scroll making are:
Paper: Hot press paper. My favorites are Fabriano Artistico 140# and Pergamenata, a very smooth sulphite paper that is very like vellum. Acid free or PH neutral is recommended.
Pens: My favorite calligraphy pen is a vintage Platignum press-fill fountain pen with interchangeable nibs. If I use dip nibs I prefer Brause nibs. I use Higgins Fountain Pen India ink. Higgins Eternal is a good waterproof ink.
Paint: I always use gouache. I am currently testing different paints in a search for low cost alternatives for beginners. I don't recommend that anyone use acrylics. Please don't ever color with markers.
Gilding: I usually use Holbein Pearl Gold gouache. I am testing alternatives here also.

You will note that these materials are seldom or never found at Michaels. I buy supplies at Utrecht Art Supplies in Salt Lake City (they also have a website at http://www.utrechtart.com/ ), or from Reuel's in downtown Salt Lake, or from John Neal, Booksellers online at http://www.johnnealbooks.com (they sell Pergamenata.)

For more information on materials please review the Artemisian Scribes' Handbook, which can be found on line at http://www.artemisia.sca.org/library/ (scroll down to see the link.)

The quality of the materials you use directly affects the quality of your work and the satisfaction you can gain from it. I found an interesting post on one of the scribes' lists at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA_Scribes_and_Illumination/message/12592 by Master Ranthulfr Asparlundr, a well-known expert on medieval scribal methods ( http://www.randyasplund.com/pages/articleexhibit.html ). Randy expresses his own opinions on medieval paint. BTW, I have attended Randy's classes and have seen some of his work and they are amazing. 

Thanks to Lady Maysun for issuing her challenge. And a big THANK YOU to all of you who generously donate your time and materials to make scrolls for the Kingdom, and to those who are learning. 
Best regards to all
Duchess Caryn von Katzenberg, OL
Former Royal Scribe to two Artemisian Crowns

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Michael the Loud said:

	"If you want to purchase scribal materials the best thing to do is to wait for the sales at Michaels or get a 40% off coupon from the newspaper.  A few $$$ here and a few $$$ there do add up.  (For example.  A tube of acrylic LiquiTex Basics cost $4.99 a tube.  I have a few dozen tubes of different colors so paint adds up )

	"I use Strathmore paper and prefer a Vellium finish.  Usually work in 9"x12" or the 11"x17" (also the Bristol finish is great)  In the past several months I have seen several sales at Michaels that have been 40% off 2 for 1.  

	"When work had me stuck in the hotel out in Atlantia several months last year, Master Tristan got me into illumination but he uses more acrylic than watercolor and egg tempera. I know plenty of scribes all over the place cringe when they see me bring out my acrylic paints but if you water them down you can make them look just like watercolor.  You also have the advantage of all the hard work you do doesn't get ruined by a single drop of sweat.  Many scribes don't like acrylic because of a so-called flaking issue but if you use plenty of water you won't have any problems and I've tested that numerous times with my 4 year old daughter.  With acrylic, when in doubt add a few more drops of water and a small dot of acrylic goes along ways.

	"With watercolor I use distilled water but with acrylic I can use normal tap water.  I bought a couple of water containers that I always bring with me so  I can just go to a fighter practice or event and just start illumination.

	"For outlining rather than use a fine brush, I use a .05 micron pen (black, blue and red) for most of the stuff but for very fine detail I use a .03 micron pen.  If you do happen to paint over a line with acrylic you can re-outline detail and you can't do that with watercolor.

	"Biggest thing I have found is that if you are going to spend $$$ then spend it on brushes.  Higher quality brushes that can be shaped into a tip are what I have found to be the best.

	"Something else I have found useful as my eyes aren't as good as they used to be because mundanely I'm on the computer all day is a 3.5x magnifying glass.  The one I have isn't anything fancy as I think my wife got it in the crossstich section at Joanns 
 ________________________________  
And Lady Maysun:

 From: Andrea Balla <aravis227 at hotmail.com>
To: artemisia at lists.gallowglass.org; "LochSalann at yahoogroups.com" <lochsalann at yahoogroups.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:22 PM
Subject: [LochSalann] RE: [Artemisia] July Challenge!

I've had several people ask about what materials to use for the scribal challenge.  I wanted to send out some basic guidelines on what to use.  For paper, you should use a heavier weight paper.  I'm including a link to the paper that I use.  For paints you should use gouache (goo-osh).  It is a watercolor paint and you should thin it with a little bit of water before painting.  You can purchase the Reeve's brand pretty inexpensively at Joann's.  When you open the container a bit of clear fluid will come out, just let it run out and get rid of it (I recently heard this tip!  Thank you Bethany!)  If you want to go all out there a couple of more expensive, better quality brands that some of the more experienced scribal arts people would be able to point you to. 

I don't have any experience with pens and ink, so hopefully someone will jump in and give some ideas for that.  If you do not want to go out and purchase all of this, talk to a local scribe!  Most people are willing to share and help.

Her Grace Caryn reminded me of something about scroll blanks that I forgot to mention.  Please, if you are doing calligraphy make sure that you do NOT include dates or the names of royalty.  These might not be given out during the current reign and we still want them to be usable by future kings and queens!

For those who have asked about collaborating, YES! :) Please feel free to collaborate with friends or to provide an illumination only scroll.  I don't want anyone to be left out just because they don't do calligraphy (especially because -I- don't do calligraphy...although I plan to learn during this challenge).  I do encourage you to stretch yourself.  If you've done several illumination or calligraphy only scrolls, try your hand at the other...but that is certainly not a requirement, just an encouragement. :) 