Playing with Science!

Started a few experiments the other day. 

The first is trying to make some verdigris to eventually turn into paint. I have two copper pipe sleeves sitting on a plastic cap that has holes drilled into it to allow any fumes to flow through.  The jar is a simple glass jar picked up from the local retail store.  I decided on glass, so I can watch it and see what happens as time goes on.

After a few days.

The other is a friend and I set out to make some oak gall ink for the first time.  Over all it turned out ok, a little watery but hopefully with some time and leaving the lid off, that will be fixed. We also made Gum water to use as a binder for the ink.

Crushed Oak Galls simmering in water for almost an hour.

After hours of simmering, the iron is added.

After a simple stir all the liquid is black

Ground up some egg shell to help with the acid levels

First straining

Second straining.

Copy Master & New Toys

Finished up one of the last pieces for the weekend the other night.  It's a master for a black and white set of copies that will be given to the individual winners of the micro tourneys that will be going on.

I also received my order from http://randyasplund.com/
The tools are great.  The picture doesn't do the knife justice, it's beautiful and feels really nice in the hand.  I did try out the lead-tin stylus and it's a bit different then a pencil, a lot smoother and so little pressure is needed to get a mark.

Champions

I've been working on champion scrolls when not writing or doing research lately.

Illuminated Armenian Manuscripts were chosen to be the source of inspiration for the six regular champion scrolls needed for the next local event.  I used the illusioniary Armenian hand I created a while back for the calligraphy.  Each of the Armenian Scrolls was designed and painted by other talented members of the guild.

Maggie's Design & Painting

Cheryl's Design & Painting

I choose to use other designs for the champions scrolls I was working on since they aren't part of usual set of champions.  Two are for Youth champions and two are for champions from a series of micro tourneys. 

Youth Combat Champion

Youth Archery Champion

Micro Tourney - Most number entered

Micro Tourney - Most Wins

Teaching Classes

Started a class series about how a medieval manuscript page was made with a friend of mine helping to teach. The first class was a lecture class that went over each step, that went really well, and we'll be doing a different step hands on as the months go by.  Right now we're planning on covering Pricking & Ruling, Quill Cutting & Calligraphy, Gold Leaf, Painting in Layers, and Miniatures & Grotesques.

Isaac

Traveling Writing Slope

Spent most of the day this past Saturday outside working on making traveling writing slopes. I designed these so the legs fold beneath the top, so they are easy to store and easy to travel with. I also made these smaller then originally designed to get more out of one sheet of plywood.

 The goal was to get 13 to 14 finished, but I messed up one of the tops with the table saw, and we just ran out of time to get everything done. We did get one finished and we just have to assemble the others when we have another weekend.

We learned several things that will make the next ones better.  The screws that came with the hinges were too long so we need to get some shorter ones. And we need to add some strapping system to the back to hold the legs in when in traveling mode.

Folding Traveling Writing Slope all set up.

Isometric type view of the Slope

Back view

Folded and ready for travel

Other news, working on getting other projects done.  I'm nearly happy with designs for a friends C&I quote, and I'm almost done with all the calligraphy and design work for the tourney scrolls for April.  I have one left to put together and some painting left to do.  I'll also be doing more calligraphy for the other champion scrolls as they come trickling in.

Isaac