L A D Y A N D T H E T R A M P
I L L U M I N A T I O N S A G A
Harvest Crittenden & Yves Leterme, Instructors
Historical Illumination in a Modern Context
In the Lady and the Tramp 5 day workshop, illumination techniques such as gilding, vining, filigree, and dimensional painting are taught in relation to Lombardic letters. There will be a classic approach to the topic; beginning with a brief introduction of illuminated manuscripts, you’ll learn about the proportions and typical features of the initials, the underlying principles of decoration, graceful curvature and filigree designs, the CMYK color palette, the application of gold leaf and shell gold, etc.
However, quite early on in this journey the gracious Lady will team up with the Tramp, who will listen respectfully to what she has to say, but will nevertheless propose to take a walk on the wild side. This dual approach promises to satisfy both the meticulous calligrapher as well as the adventurous spirit.
This five day workshop is open to all skill levels. Space is very limited. Be sure to sign up early!
These are just a few of the things that we will cover...
- Introduction to illuminated manuscripts
- Lombardic Capitals
- Choosing a color palette
- Working out a sketch
- Gilding with gesso and modern alternatives
- Using different colors of gold leaf
- How to burnish & tool gold
- Vining & filigree
- Adding depth and highlights to your letters
- How to move from formal to informal and modern
- Adding your own personal style to the letters
- Reaching outside of your comfort zone to try new things
- The messo gesso technique
- Mixing up your styles
The Setting
This workshop has run in Europe and Asia, now you have the chance to participate in this wonderful workshop in the United States.
The Lady and the Tramp Illumination Saga will be hosted at the Emrich Retreat Center in Brighton, Michigan. Emrich is a unique retreat center nestled among 5000 acres of state park land on its own 26 acres. Downtown Brighton is just 4.5 miles away and 20 miles north of Ann Arbor, MI.
LADY AND THE TRAMP
ILLUMINATION SAGA
A five-day in-person workshop
Harvest Crittenden and Yves Leterme, two internationally renowned calligraphers, each coming from a different background, join forces in bringing their unique perspectives to this class. You can read more about them in our Instructors section below.
About Harvest
HARVEST CRITTENDEN, IAMPETH Master Penman, has been a professional lettering artist for more than 40 years. Past owner of The Gold Leaf and founder of Acorn Arts, Harvest specializes in calligraphy, illumination, and engrossing. Harvest is a past winner of the Marjorie Pavelich Calligraphy Grant, and past president of The Michigan Association of Calligraphers. She has studied illumination and lettering in the United States and Italy and has served on the faculties of numerous regional, national and international conferences and offers workshops internationally. Harvest is the Director of Acorn Arts, a premier online school that has calligraphy classes with instructors and students worldwide.
Her work can be seen in museums, galleries and private collections throughout the United States and Europe. She has been published in numerous publications, including: American Artist, Pen World Magazine, Bound & Lettered, Somerset Magazine, Morphing Monograms, The Speedball Textbook and many others.
About Yves
Having taught Latin and Greek for 25 years, Yves quit his school job in 2010 to become a full time calligrapher.
In his studio near Bruges (Belgium) he takes on various commissions (both lettering and artistic works) and produces free work in between, which allows him to broaden his skills and horizon. Teaching, however, remains his main vocation and occupation. Since 2006 he has toured extensively all around the globe to conduct workshops and presentations for societies and conferences. He also taught several online classes in the past four years, classes that enthused hundreds of students worldwide.
In calligraphic circles, Yves is especially known for his versatile gestural lettering, his minutely drawn capitals and his richly textured, abstract backgrounds.
Yves’ work has been selected for inclusion in many juried shows and his artwork can be found in catalogues, magazines, museums and private collections... and on Instagram of course.
Among other publications in magazines, he’s the author of two books: Thoughtful Gestures and Litterae.
Read more about Yves here.
