Contemporary Illumination for the Calligrapher and Artist by Toni Watts

B4235. Contemporary Illumination for the Calligrapher and Artist by Toni Watts. Hardcover; 175 pages; 8.75" x 10.5”.

Contemporary Illumination for the Calligrapher and Artist by Toni Watts is a comprehensive guide to adding gold leaf and illumination to calligraphy, painting, and other artistic works. It explores both medieval manuscript techniques and modern adaptations, providing step-by-step instructions for beginners and advanced artists alike. The book covers a range of gilding methods using easily accessible materials, as well as traditional techniques like manuscript gesso and shell gold. Readers will also learn how to enhance their work with sgraffito, tooling, and painting on gold, as well as how to use alternative metal leaf without tarnishing.

Toni Watts, a renowned illuminator and former artist-in-residence at Lincoln Cathedral, brings deep expertise in historical gilding methods and their contemporary applications. Her book is both a visual inspiration and a practical resource, helping artists troubleshoot common gilding challenges and explore innovative ways to combine flat and raised gilding. Whether you're new to illumination or looking to refine your technique, this guide provides everything you need to incorporate shimmering, timeless beauty into your work.

“Over the past 15 months, whilst I’ve been writing this book, I’ve seen a move in both calligraphic and art circles from ‘traditional’ to ‘expressive’ work. Most of my students, whether they be artists or calligraphers, don’t want to recreate medieval designs. They want to make something contemporary and personal. They want to be inventive. I believe there is room for both: an honoring of the craftsmanship of the past and a spirit of twenty-first century experimentation.” —Toni Watts, Introduction.