Martha Laurens - The Radiant Letter: Reviving the Lost Initials - May 12, 19 & 26, 2026
The Radiant Letter: Reviving the Lost Initials is a gentle, historically grounded introduction to the initials of illuminated manuscripts from the Romanesque era. In this workshop, students will …
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The Radiant Letter: Reviving the Lost Initials is a gentle, historically grounded introduction to the initials of illuminated manuscripts from the Romanesque era.
In this workshop, students will create one refined illuminated letter inspired by Romanesque manuscript art (c.11th-12th century), using gouache painting, simple gilding, and a guided ornament system. Focusing on one structured initial, the class offers a clear and approachable way to enter the art of illumination through colour, light, form, and balance.
Romanesque manuscript art provides a strong and elegant foundation for beginning illumination. Through a simplified project, students will be introduced to this visual language in a way that remains historically informed while still feeling accessible and achievable.
Students will work from a prepared Romanesque initial template and a guided ornament sheet, allowing them to focus on understanding how illumination is built rather than becoming overwhelmed by complexity or simply replicating historical examples. The workshop also encourages both structure and individuality, so that while all students work within the same historical framework, each finished initial may carry its own character and result.
What You Will Learn
- The historical and visual foundations of the Romanesque illuminated initial.
- How to work from a prepared illuminated letter template.
- Organise the letter and sketch the ornaments (foliate decorations and zoomorphic elements) into a clear and balanced design.
- Gouache painting techniques for illuminated manuscript work.
- Simple gilding application (shell gold/miniatum ink/Instacoll).
- How to use colour, Romanesque ornamental elements (foliate decorations and zoomorphic elements), and gold in a way that supports the structure of the letter.
- How to plan and complete one finished illuminated initial with clarity, harmony, and historical atmosphere.
Workshop Details - Level: Beginner-friendly, suitable for all levels.
By the end of the workshop, students will complete one framed Romanesque illuminated initial in the style of painted gouache, simple gilded accents, and guided ornamental elements. Students will also gain a clear introduction to how illumination is built through structure, colour, light, and ornament
The Radiant Letter: Reviving the Lost Initials
Martha Laurens, Hosted By The Gentle Penman
Live (Also recorded for later viewing)
12, 19 & 26 May 2026 (Tuesday)
12:00 pm – 14:00 pm (Hong Kong Time)
Class Cost : HKD 1,000.00 or USD 130.00
Registration Link : https://www.thegentlepenman.com/the-radiant-letter-reviving-the-lost-initials
Supply List:
1. Paper
- Hot Press Watercolour Paper, 300gsm (smooth) or Bristol. Recommended: Fabriano Studio, Arches, Strathmore (whichever is available in your country) (PS47, PS115)
Size: A5 paper, A4 or letter size paper
Please note, that we will work on a 10 x 10 cm Initial letter. A5 paper is large enough unless you are aiming for a larger size.
- Graph paper for sketching and planning (P22)
- Tracing paper / Transparent paper (A4 or letter size) (usually called Vellum paper or Parchment paper in other countries – Not the genuine Vellum or Parchment) (P43, P44)
- Glassine (If you are planning to use loose-leaf for gilding) (PA94-SQ)
2.Drawing Tools
- Medium Pencil H (PL38)
- Hard Pencil: Any number between 4H to 7H (PL38)
- Kneaded eraser (E09)
- Ruler / Graph (S270)
- French Curve (or Circle stencils) (S1065)
- (Optional) Compass (for curves) (S1061)
3.OPTIONAL Lining Tools
- Fine-liners (Micron 005-02, Staedtler Pigment Liner) (M217, M218, M219)
- Rotring Isograph size .20 or .25 or .10
Painting Materials
1.Paints
- Gouache Paint. Martha uses M.Graham for all the painting. Alternatively, students may choose Schmincke Horadam Gouache or Winsor & Newton. (WNG1, SG27)
Suggested colours:
* M. Graham: Ultramarine Blue, Pyrrol Red, Viridian, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Titanium White.
* Winsor & Newton: Ultramarine, Winsor Red, Viridian, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Permanent White.
2.Brushes
- Sizes: 000 to 2 pointed round brushes (Pure sable or Kolinsky Sable, Martha uses the following brand: WN Series 7/Raphael Kolinsky/Rosemary Series 363/Series 99/Isabey 6229) (BR28, BR91)
- One Old brush / cheap brush to mix colours. (BR02)
- One Synthetic brush size 000 or 00 for gilding size. (BR116)
3.Other tools
- Mixing palette (S747, S1094)
- Two water jars (S1695)
- Paper towels
Gilding Materials (Pick your method)
- Gilding size: Instacoll, or Miniatum Ink, or Ormoline (Optional) (S892, S893, S760, S929)
- Gold Leaf: Genuine 23k Gold leaf booklet of 5 – Loose Leaf or Transfer/Patent Leaf (optional) – (Martha will demo in both transfer and loose) (S189-5)
- Kolner Tissue
- Glassine paper
- (Optional medium)
* Genuine Shell Gold (S738)
- Shell Gold (preferably handmade if you can make it, otherwise see note below)
** Shell Gold brush (if you are using shell gold)
** Burnisher (agate) (S2024)
* Gold Paint – Gold Gouache ( Schmincke / Winsor & Newton) or Finetec (S1000, SG27)
Additional tools
- Lightbox
- Drafting tape or washi tape (S1661, S1676)
Shop supplies for this class:
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