Charlotte Dilley - Treasured Pages: Exploring Geometric Decoration in Manuscript Art - June 19 & 26, 2026

This workshop introduces the intricate and lavish beauty of historical manuscript art, a tradition that embodies harmony through its design principles by marrying the structure of geometry with elegant, freehand drawing.

​Taking inspiration from a remarkable page of illumination from 14th Century Anatolia, we will examine its 6-fold pattern structure and discover how the design comes alive with the delicate vegetal motifs interwoven into the composition.​

Over two sessions, I will guide you through constructing the geometric pattern, using a ruler and compass, and drawing various examples of the organic motifs to complete the decorative detailing. We will primarily work with coloured pencil and gold to bring the design to life, and additional guidance on colouring and rendering techniques will be shared.​

By the end of our two sessions, students will have all the elements to create their own interpretation of this historic treasure and leave with an enhanced appreciation of this rich aesthetic art form. 

Skill level: Beginner, no previous experience is required. A basic familiarity with compass and ruler is useful but not essential.

Treasured Pages: Exploring Geometric Decoration in Manuscript Art
Charlotte Dilley, Hosted By The Gentle Penman

Live (Also recorded for later viewing)

19 & 26 June 2026 (Friday)
21:00 pm – 23:00 pm (Hong Kong Time)

Class Cost : HKD 780.00 or USD 100.00
Registration Link : https://www.thegentlepenman.com/treasured-pages

Supply List:

• Graphite pencils (regular or mechanical) – one hard leaded for construction lines and one soft leaded for sketching
• Sharpener and eraser
• 30cm / 12inch ruler (a transparent one with parallel lines is ideal but not essential)
• A pair of compasses (a “universal adapter” that allows you to use a pen with the compass is ideal but not essential)
• Metal spoon or polished stone to rub over the reverse of tracings to transfer them
• Cartridge or printer paper for sketching / designing
• Minimum size A4 tracing paper and some low tack tape
• Minimum size A3 white, mid-toned, tea-stained or watercolour paper of your choice for final design
• Coloured pencils (or watercolour or gouache if you prefer to use paint)
• Black Fineliner or Micron Pen, nib size 0.05 or 0.1 (eg. UNI-BALL PIN Fineliner Pen)
• Gold pen or paint (eg. SAKURA Gelly Roll Metallic Pen or Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache in GOLD)