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Unlocking the Secrets of
Medieval Painters and Illuminators

By Sybil Archibald & Karen Gorst

ABOUT THE CALLIGRAPHY CHAPTER:

The Calligraphy Chapter in Lapis and Gold is an exciting new take on an ancient and venerable art form. Beginners will find the basics to get started and experts will have the opportunity look at their art from new perspectives. Technique, calligraphy as meditation and letter mysticism in Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and much more are covered.

EXCERPT:

The Spirituality of Calligraphy
The history of calligraphy is rich in spirituality. Some form of spirituality pervades all calligraphic traditions. Spirituality can be present in the act of writing and also in the meanings given to letterforms. Countries with a strong Buddhist influence such as China and Japan have a deep sense of spirituality associated with the act of lettering. Other cultures connected with the religions of the book, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, have highly developed traditions of letter mysticism which see individual letterforms as vessels for Divine light.

PARTIAL LIST OF TOPICS COVERED:

Analyzing a Manuscript Page

Basic Calligraphy Vocabulary

Carolingian & Rotunda Hands

Choosing Tools such as Pens and Nibs

Methods for Practicing

Spacing

Layout

Using light boxes

Setting up a workspace

Troubleshooting

The Spirituality of Calligraphy

Letter Mysticism in the Jewish, Islamic & Christian Traditions

16th Century Italian Rotunda
as seen in Lapis & Gold

About the Authors

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