Early medieval Colours: Frescos, manuscripts and pigments.

In this two day workshop, you will learn about colours, pigments, surfaces and binders used in the early medieval era in Scotland and beyond In this unique two day workshop you will learn about the origins of inks and paints used in manuscripts, wall paintings and other decorative applications, as well as artistic styles from the time, how they were formed through a fusion of influence linking artists to the wider world. Over the course of the two days you will prepare and work onto various surfaces. You will then use handcrafted materials made during the workshop, and, working from original source material, create your own versions of historical imagery. Preparing the surfaces will include the creation of a small piece of fresco made by applying pigments onto fresh plaster to give a sense of how wall decoration was achieved over a thousand years ago. (Inspired by the remnants of fresco at Inchcolm Abbey) You will go home with your artworks and a selection of authentic paints, ink and your own hand crafted pen, all made following traditional recipes and techniques. Over the course of the two days you will: • Create, from scratch, your own small fresco panel and paint a medieval inspired image/copy onto the panel using authentic pigments. • Prepare paints using binders traditionally used in the medieval era and see how they are applicable to create sustainable paints today. • Make historical ink and bottle it to take home. • Craft a traditional reed pen to use during the workshop and to take home. • Using source material from illuminated manuscripts, paint your own small panel onto board using historical inks and paints.