“Hic Incipit Diarium,” or “the diary begins here,” for I am starting a blog on my hobby in making manuscripts. Why? Because the Internet’s filled with information about how manuscripts are made. But, in my opinion, there is a gap between theory and practice. Through this blog, I’m hoping to (eventually) give clear and concise information on how manuscript were made and how to do it yourself.
My intention is to gather sources, collect information and impact my experiences to create practical guides on how to approach the creation of (parts of) a manuscript. Through this, I hope assisting people looking to make their own manuscripts, promote the various crafts associated with such projects and (maybe) be of help to the academic fields studying this topic.
Another reason to start this blog, is the start of a major project in the summer of this year.
Another reason to start this blog, is the start of a major project in the summer of this year. Larger in scope than the Book of Eclcesiastes I’ve made. A formal announcement is coming soon, but to summarize: I’m going to create a leather-bound bestiary made of parchment, written using a goose feather quill and decorated with colored illustrations on a gold background in a late Romanesque/early Gothic art-style. Once I start, I expect this project to take the better part of ten years. Through this blog, I will be able to post updates about the progress.
I hope that through this blog I can […] promote or facilitate the exchange of ideas and information…
Finally, I hope that through this blog I can (at some point) promote or facilitate the exchange of ideas and information about making medieval manuscripts. My believe is that pooling knowledge and experience is necessary to keep the craft of calligraphy and illumination alive. This ensures new (illuminated) manuscripts are added to our shared cultural heritage in the future.