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Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art & Illustration at McCrillis Gardens WEEKLY CLASS PROGRAM

BOTANICAL ILLUMINATION
An elective for the school’s certificate program designed by Kandy Phillips © 2004

(2 – Day program = 4 classes – 2/day: follows similar instruction but with some changes re homework)
(Experience in botanical drawing and painting is beneficial)

Overall Purpose of Instruction: Tracing the role illumination played in the history of botanical art.

MATERIALS: Fee of $5 to be paid to Kandy at the first class covers the cost of graph paper, gold paint and other inks
that will be used in the first class. Also bring to first class: A field guide to flowers
Gain more from these classes – by bringing your own detailed drawings of small subjects: fruits, flowers etc.
1. Arches or Fabriano 140lb hot press watercolor paper, 22x30 cut in quarters, or a block of similar size.
2. tracing paper, removable tape, eraser
3. plastic page inserts and binder for handouts
4. fine watercolor brushes including a quality 000
5. porcelain palette, watercolor paints as per school list; optional but useful colors are black and sepia
6. Winsor and Newton Designers Gouache in Permanent White
7. graphite pencils for fine drawing
8. bottle of gum Arabic if desired (some will be provided for use in class)
9. clear ruler, compass, triangles, curves if desired
10. your sketchbook of flower drawings
11. Pigma micron pens in black, sepia or brown – Sizes – 01 or 005
12. Graphite pencils suitable for fine drawing,

CLASS 1 THE ILLUMINATED LETTER


LESSON OUTLINE: Introduction to illumination
Tools of the trade
Using gold paint and ink
Tooling and burnishing
Decorating a Lombardic Capital using white work
Ivy in illuminated letters
Homework:
Purchase your favorite gold. Complete an ivy letter from the examples provided using the techniques learned in class.

CLASS 2 THE FOLIATED LETTER – Roman capital


BRING TO THIS CLASS: Your homework and field guide to flowers

LESSON OUTLINE: Fitting the flower to the letter


Choosing the colors
Fine painting
Gold background

Homework: Complete two letters in this style from the examples provided; (1) illuminated using gold, (2) without gold.

BRING TO NEXT CLASS:


1. All the usual materials
2. Your botanical sketches
3. Field guide for wildflowers and a book on the language of flowers (Optional)
4. Your completed homework piece

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BOTANICAL ILLUMINATION - Designed by Kandy Phillips © 2004 WEEKLY CLASS PROGRAM

CLASS 3 THE FOLIATED LETTER – Gothic capital

LESSON OUTLINE: How flowers were used in letterforms as symbols


Techniques
- shading the acanthus designs
- applying shadows to gold

HOMEWORK: Select a flower to include in a Gothic style letter from the examples provided, and complete as instructed
in class.

BRING TO NEXT CLASS:


1. All the usual materials
2. Fresh cut flowers for a border design (optional), or work from your own sketches or examples supplied.
3. Your completed homework piece

CLASS 4 THE ILLUMINATED BORDER


AIM: Producing an illuminated border based on historical examples

LESSON OUTLINE: History of the illuminated border, its signs and symbols
Tromp l’oeil techniques
French and Flemish styles
Discuss final project

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS – CERTIFICATE REGISTRANTS* (Recommended for all students)

Create a floral border: Select from the French or Flemish style and format from the examples given.
Minimum size for the square format is 6", and for a vertical it is 2"X7".
A letter from prior class work should be incorporated into your final design.

The project will be assessed on the following –


1. Even burnished gold application
2. Finely painted floral design
3. Properly rendered shadows
4. An appropriate letter form

Certificate Registrants: Please submit this assignment for a written critique and assessment.
Protect assignment with cover sheet adhered from the back of each work and enclose in a protective folder.
Ensure your contact details and the name of your teacher are on the back. Place your assignment in a sturdy,
weatherproof package with a suitable self-addressed and stamped mailer and –

Post to: Kandy Phillips 18925 Marsh Hawk Lane, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
(E-mail: kayphil22@yahoo.com)
Due date: Two weeks after completion of this elective  ( …/…/… )

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