Medieval Painting and Manuscript Illumination 5-day course -15-19 July 2024

Using a combination of modern and traditional materials, we will peel back layers of history to unveil the tools, techniques and methods of Medieval painting and illumination. You will create your own painted and gilded pieces and learn the skills to continue practising the craft at home.

'A wonderful and fulfilling introduction to Medieval illumination - we learnt both the modern and historic fundamentals needed to develop our own work after the course. Sarah was a very inspiring tutor who pushes us throughout the week to make the most of everything we learnt. I loved it!'

Summer School 2023 Attendee

The luminous artworks that are often seen adorning the most precious medieval manuscripts, are known as ‘miniatures’. These highly detailed images would function as visual aids and decorative embellishments to the sacred text beside them and were made with some of the most precious materials of the time such as gold leaf, lapis lazuli and vellum.

Over this five-day intensive course, you will create your own medieval-style illuminated miniatures. Working closely from historic designs, and where we can, using some of the traditional tools and techniques favoured by medieval artisans, we will emulate as closely as possible the materials that would have been used by our medieval ancestors such as real gold leaf, vellum and garlic juice!

We will also make illumination Gesso together to create mirror-shine raised gilded images. At the end of the course you will have made at least three stunning pieces, including a gilded letter, a gilded and painted zodiac sign and a fully illuminated miniature. You will also have the skills to continue with this astonishingly beautiful and rewarding craft at home.

You can choose to copy designs from our collection of historic images or you may bring in your own designs or images to work from.

Traditional materials for medieval illumination included animal-derived products, but vegan alternatives are available. We will start by using paper and modern gilding glues which are fully vegan, you will have an equally enlightening experience if you choose to stay vegan for the whole course. Please indicate before the start of the course if you require vegan alternatives.

What’s included: all teaching, most of the tools and materials required, including gold leaf!

What’s not included: some widely available tools such as miniature painting brushes, pencil and scalpel

10% discount available for City & Guilds of London Art School students, alumni and staff. Contact to receive the discount code.

Please note: in accordance with Eventbrite's Terms of Service, Eventbrite's fees are non-refundable. Any refunds made for Summer School bookings will have Eventbrite's fees deducted, unless we cancel the course or for issues related to Covid-19. For more information, please see our terms and conditions.

'Sarah Davis was a joy to listen to. She was attentive. The pace was perfect and she is very talented and generous with her knowledge.' Karin

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The Art School thanks The Grocers’ Charity for their generous support of this initiative.

City & Guilds of London Art School is a small, not-for-profit higher education provider in central London.

We specialise in teaching contemporary fine art, design, conservation and historic craft skills at Foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels, focusing on both traditional and contemporary skills, processes and theories.

Our summer short courses are a unique opportunity to step inside our renowned Art School, and explore and develop your skills and interests with our expert tutors.

Discover new talents, foster existing skills and develop your creative interests in a fun and supportive setting.

Class sizes are small, and our tutors make sure our intensive courses for adults (18 years +) are enjoyable and fun, as well as inspiring and informative. And as a student on one of our introductory courses, you’ll receive the same warm welcome that we extend to all our friends and students.

Current or former students (Foundation, BA or MA) of the Art School are eligible for 10% discount on all our summer courses.

Host or Publisher City & Guilds of London Art School