Transept ‘Space( )Between’ art exhibit calligraphy piece, stage 1

This April (April 15-18, 2019) the Transept Artists’ group of the University of St Andrews Institute of Theology, Imagination and the Arts is putting on its annual exhibition. This year’s theme is ‘Space( )Between’, based on Holy Saturday but also more generally exploring the in-between places and states of being we all experience. I am part of Transept this year, despite not being a student in ITIA and have thoroughly enjoyed my time with this group.

When thinking about which Scripture passages I could use to go along with this theme, I decided upon a portion of Psalm 139 which describes the infinite space that God’s presence occupies and also mentions hell (Sheol). It encompasses the upmost heights and the deepest lows.

I decided to go with an elaborate illuminated calligraphy piece and over a few posts I’ll be showing you the progress of the work.

First I ruled the lines and toned the paper with a light tan shade. Next I wrote out the script. The script I chose was Uncial, characteristic of the British Isles between the 3rd and 9th centuries. I made a mistake with the first line but couldn’t erase so I’ll cover this up later with white.

Next I erase the pencil ruled lines from the text and go over the lines of the initial capital with a Pigma Micron archival, non-smudging pigment pen.

I continue to first sketch with pencil and go over with pen all the elements of the border.

Orange, Cinnamon & Pine Cone Wreath

One day in December a couple years ago, I was passing by a home furnishing store in my town and noticed a gorgeous natural wreath made with dried oranges and cinnamon sticks. It really caught my eye and I went home to find a reference photo and start a digital painting of it. Here is the result.

 

© Letizia Morley 2017

1 Corinthians 13 Illuminated Calligraphy

© Letizia Morley 2019

Sketches of horses grazing

© Letizia Morley 2002

J.R.R. Tolkien quote illuminated calligraphy

© Letizia Morley 2018

A good friend commissioned this piece for her husband as he had just recently submitted his PhD thesis and this quote was a key part of his theme. The script is Uncial and there are small thistles inside the illuminated initial M.

Children’s pencil portrait commission

© Letizia Morley 2018

Baby Birth Facts illuminated calligraphy finished product

© Letizia Morley

Recently an acquaintance asked me to do an illuminated calligraphy piece for her new baby. She wanted wall art that included Celtic knots, thistles and rabbits with a colour scheme of coral, blue and green. The baby was born here in St Andrews, Scotland so it seemed fitting. The piece took me much longer than I expected due to my busy family schedule but thankfully my client was very flexible as to the time frame. I am hoping that I can perhaps get more clients who may be interested in this kind of thing for either their own children or as gifts. The finished product was something I was very happy with and my client felt the same way, thankfully.