The artist, poet, designer, and publisher, William Morris, was deeply moved by illuminated manuscripts he saw in Canterbury Cathedral as a child. Later, while studying at Oxford, he encountered more manuscripts at the Bodleian Library that inspired him to try his hand at illumination. Morris eventually integrated ideas and designs from these manuscripts, along with other sources, into the books he published through the Kelmscott Press. The original 1835 Albion Printing Press can be viewed at the William Morris Society premises in Kelmscott House,where Morris spent the last 18 years of his life.
During this class, led by expert artist and tutor Lucy Morrish, you will delve into the illustrious history of illuminated manuscripts, exploring how these exquisite works inspired William Morris’s Kelmscott Press books.
Participants will be able to explore our new exhibition ‘Practically Magic’ with a short highlights tour led by our Curator. Participants will also have the exclusive opportunity to view some of our rare collection of Kelmscott Press books enabling them to fully appreciate, first hand, the captivating beauty and craftsmanship that define these books.
In this immersive course, explore the ancient technique of painting on calfskin vellum. Learn to work with pigments from both botanical sources such as woad as well as colours from mineral deposits, then try your hand at traditional gilding methods to bring light to the page with gold leaf. Conclude the class by painting your own personalised manuscript illuminated letter inspired by the magical allure of William Morris’s beautiful book designs.
Lucy Thomasin Morrish, a British Fine Artist, specialises in ancient medieval painting traditions and techniques. She received a scholarship to study at the prestigious Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London, where she learned these traditions. Her love for Illuminated Manuscripts was further cemented by the rich traditions and Arthurian Legends of Medieval Europe using inspiration from William Morris’s signature style within her own pieces. She paints with hand-made watercolour mineral and earth pigments on calfskin vellum, elevating this heritage craft. Lucy is known for designing and painting the Coronation Collection for Fortnum & Mason’s in London. She recently taught a course called Illuminating William Morris, working with The Royal Collection and The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, passing on Morris’s timeless designs through medieval processes.
Important Information
What materials do I need?
Please bring with you:
- HB pencil, eraser, sharpener and ruler
- a wooden board slightly larger than A4; this can be a drawing board or sheet of MDF
- 1x roll of gum tape; if you cannot find gum tape, you can also use masking tape — several A4 sheets of tracing paper
- several A4 sheets of wax free transfer paper, preferably grey. If transfer paper cannot be found, carbon paper can be used, but you must be careful not to press to hard when using carbon. Please buy wax free grey transfer paper as wax paper will cause problems when painting.
- Pointed round, watercolour brushes, suggested sizes: 00000, 000, 00, 1, 3 and 6
- A wide, flat brush, size 4 and 2
- A palette with wells
- A clean jam jar for washing your brush
- Kitchen roll to dry your brushes
- A set of artist quality gouache or watercolours; If you cannot find gouache or watercolour, you can substitute with poster colours. Useful colours to have include: ivory black, white (any), cadmium yellow, yellow ochre, primary blue, indigo, cerulean blue, green (any), sap green, burnt sienna, burnt umber, cadmium red, and primary red.
- If you have any difficulty getting a particular colour, your tutor can guide you in mixing with what you have to hand.
This course will take place at The William Morris Society, 26 Upper Mall, London, W6 9TA.
Please note that attendees must be aged 18 or over to participate in this event. All levels of ability and experience are welcome.
There are only 12 spaces available for this course, so we advise early booking to avoid disappointment!
