Extraordinarily beautiful and decorative letters of the alphabet — imaginatively ornamented with royal and saintly figures, mythical creatures, knights in battle, flora and fauna, more.

Rare letters and borders that once enhanced medieval bibles and other rare manuscripts are ornamented with exquisite florals, curvilinear motifs interwoven with religious figures, and other exquisite embellishments. More than 350 designs, including 256 letters.

Royalty-free reproductions of authentic Victorian borders: florals, foliates, animals, mythical creatures, interlacements, more. Moderately priced for today's graphic designers.

An inspirational introduction to creating decorative calligraphy.

A comprehensive design source book of all types of Celtic illuminated letters by leading exponent of Celtic art, Courtney Davis. The 101 illuminated letters reflect the history of Celtic design from the earliest examples to Courtney Davis's own celebrated modern interpretations. Many of the illuminated letters are from, or inspired by, the famous Celtic manuscripts such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells. The 101 designs are all hand painted by Courtney Davis and printed in full colour. Each is accompanied by a black and white version of the same image on the adjacent page - perfect for scanning or photocopying for use on readers' personal art, design or craft project. The book contains two complete alphabets and the remaining letters are structured so that those most commonly used at the beginning of words are represented with many more examples than the least common letters. The introduction gives a brief history of the Celts and an explanation of the birth and development of their artistic style with particular relation to illuminated letter designs.

This immediately usable archive of decorative initials contains over 800 different, ornately rendered designs. Assembled by veteran typographer Dan X. Solo, the letters display an astonishing diversity and inventiveness. There are over 40 different versions of the letter "A," for example: bordered by cherubs, in a tableau with a dog and a rabbit, amid frolicking satyrs, set against stylized abstract backgrounds, framing a woman's face, laced with flowers and vines, and in many other clever and attractive representations. The other letters of the alphabet enjoy similar treatment. A wonderfully effective way to draw attention to ads, announcements, bulletins — almost any message — this superb treasury will be welcomed by anyone looking for ways to add pictorial pizzazz to the printed word.

Reproduces 50 of the most important Holy Scriptures, including the Hebrew Pentateuch and the Book of Kells

Illuminated manuscripts are among the most beautiful, precious and mysterious works of Western art. Before the printing press was invented, books were produced by hand and their illustration using brightly coloured pigments and gold embellishments was a labour of love and an act of piety in itself. The results are stunning. The works emanating from the scriptoria of monasteries were mainly religious texts, including illuminated bibles, psalters, and works for private devotion known as books of hours. Illuminated Manuscripts describes the origin and history of illumination in the Middle Ages, covering the artists and their techniques, and the patrons who commissioned them. It explains the subject matter found in medieval works, such as saints and Bible stories and the use of ornamental flourishes, and is illustrated with many fine examples of the genre including the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.

Learn how to illuminate your writing like the scribes of the past, bringing letters to life with plant and animal motifs, swirling vines and leaves, graceful arabesques and flourishes, fantastical imagery, and more. Draw creatures cavorting across the page as Gothic illuminators did, or create the knotwork seen in famous Celtic manuscripts. Step-by-step tutorials, tips for creating striking effects, and blank letterforms you can illuminate yourself make this the perfect modern-day guide to the medieval art of beautiful writing. 160 pages. 6-1/4" wide x 8-1/4" high (15.9 cm wide x 21 cm high). Rights: World (English)

What is a historiated initial? What are canon tables? What is a drollery? This revised edition of Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms offers definitions of the key elements of illuminated manuscripts, demystifying the techniques, processes, materials, nomenclature, and styles used in the making of these precious books. Updated to reflect current research and technologies, this beautifully illustrated guide includes images of important manuscript illuminations from the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum and beyond. Concise, readable explanations of the technical terms most frequently encountered in manuscript studies make this portable volume an essential resource for students, scholars, and readers who wish a deeper understanding and enjoyment of illuminated manuscripts and medieval book production.