Learn how to create a stunning Medieval Letter using 24ct gold leaf and then decorating it with illustrations or plants, animals or Celtic knot designs. Gold leaf, glue and good-quality art paper will be supplied. A complete information sheet and other equipment needed will be sent out to all participants before the course. Medieval Lettering can be illustrated using watercolour or coloured pencils. A selection of letters and designs will be available on the first day if required.
The art of Embellishing capital letters at the beginning of a script has been practised for hundreds of years and has produced exquisite pieces of art. This is your chance to learn the basics of this art and create something unique to you. It could be the initial of a child or grandchild, or just a letter you like. A ‘B’ could be used with bluebells, bumble bees, butterflies, birds, the colour blue, berries, blackberries etc. or an ‘M’ could be accompanied by marigolds, mauve, magnolia, morning glory, monarda, magpie, monarch butterfly, meadow brown, moths – I’m sure you’ve got the drift by now. The designs are endless. Each will be a ‘one-off’ and very personal. You will be able to complete the project during the course as your work will not measure more than 4 inches square approx.
Tutor: Janie Pirie
Janie Pirie has had a life-long interest in painting, beginning with painting pictures of the family garden at the tender age of four. She has studied at both the Northampton School of Art and the Colchester School of Art, where she specialised in illustration. Janie became a full-time artist in 2002 and is now concentrates on her beloved floral/botanical subjects as well as portraits using, in the main, coloured pencils. Janie’s meticulous and striking compositions are given a noticeably subtle touch with her deft coloured pencil work. It is this attribute that gives her pictures the composition, detail and depth of colour that has made her originals, limited edition prints and art workshops so popular. Janie is a member of the Society of Botanical Artists and in 2008 was awarded a Silver-Gilt medal at the Royal Horticultural Society’s floral art exhibition at BBC Gardeners World Live. She followed that with a Gold medal at the same show the following year, when she was awarded ‘Best Botanical Artist in Show 2009’. A second RHS Gold Medal was awarded to Janie in May 2014 for her studies of roses. In 2010 her picture of grapes (All Is Safely Gathered In) won ‘Best in Show’ at the UKCPS Annual and in 2011 her amazingly detailed drawing of a Savoy Cabbage won her Runner-up ‘Best in Show’ as well as ‘Best Botanical’ in show. Her drawing of Blueberries won her Runner-up ‘Best Botanical’ in the same show. Following UKCPS shows have seen Janie awarded ‘Best Portrait’ for ‘Clare’ and ‘Best Still Life’ for her depiction of cherries in a bowl with the apt title ‘Life Is Just…..’. Janie has also been awarded two Certificates of Botanical Merit by the RHS. She regularly runs courses at the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, Sheffield University Botanic Gardens, the Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick and, also in The Lakes, residential courses at nearby Higham Hall, Bassenthwaite. Janie lives in the beautiful surroundings of the Dedham Vale on the Essex/Suffolk border. She runs art workshops in her garden studio and at other venues around the country and exhibits both locally and nationally.
Example Timetable
Arrival day
Check-in is between 1600-1800. If you are arriving after 1800, please advise us so we can arrange a self-check-in.
You will meet the tutor at dinner, following which you will have your first session.
What's Included
Before You Attend
What to bring
- HB pencil
- Plastic eraser
- Putty rubber
- Watercolour brush (to be used for applying glue – this needs to be a good one, but not a very expensive one – no bigger than a 2 and with a fine point)
- Small palette (four to six wells will be plenty)
- Watercolours and brushes for painting OR coloured pencils – your choice
Sorry this course booking is closed
