Gryphon's Pride of Artemisia

The Gryphon's Pride is an award given to youth in the Kingdom of Artemisia, who show great service and promise to the Kingdom. As such, I chose to do something a little outside my norm, and just paint up something bright colored and whimsical. The zoomorphic creature border was taken from a Dover celtic borders book (I'll edit this post later with that book's details).

The ink is Pilot Iroshizuko Yu-Yake (sunset orange). Paints are Winsor & Newton gouache, all on bristol smooth finish paper.

Gryphon and Candle

I have been watching a certain individual, and his efforts to beautify the SCA, both in personal projects, and those for the Kingdom at large. He has created regalia, banners, and crafted items for personal use. He has issues a challenge to increase the pageantry and beauty of the game, and has acted as an example to follow in this regard. His humility in his craft is significant, but his end products do appear to be of quality. Thus, I was happy to create a scroll to commemorate Don Sionainn Padraig Caimbeul's admittance into the Order of the Gryphon and Candle, the Baronial Arts and Sciences award for the Barony of Gryphon's Lair.

This piece is based on the Incipit Arithmeticha Boetij by Boethius, c. 1400, housed at the Smithsonian. My interpretation is done with Winsor & Newton gouache and Pilot Iroshizuku Take-Sumi ink on vellum finish bristol.

Overall, I find that I really enjoy this style of illumination. It has a complex, elegant, and highly decorative feel, while coming together quickly. This is a great benefit to me, as I find that hand and arm fatigue sets in faster these days, and I'm not able to paint all day as I used to.

Incipit Arithmeticha Boetij