ABOUT
Cornwell ScribeWorks produces medieval and Renaissance-style calligraphy and illumination by hand. Each piece of work is a collaboration created by both artists. First, every work is roughly laid
out in pencil and a text is chosen for rendering. Next, the words are calligraphed by James in accordance with the styles of lettering found in historical manuscripts. Then Hilarie takes over and adds color illustration, or illumination, to the text, using gouache and 23 karat gold leaf.
Cornwell Scribe Works is dedicated to the practice and preservation of the art of the illuminated manuscript. Our goal is to produce beautiful, authentic and accessible manuscript art.
In a time of word processing, information highways and e-mail, the power of the written word has become diluted nearly into impotence. Our work is an ode to the written word: the power of hand written art; a way of preserving thoughts that has reverence for the words that make them up.
Each creation beckons to a past where manuscripts were more precious than gold, because knowledge could not be bought, only striven for and studied over. The printing press and subsequent inventions which brought information to the world were great steps forward; but we believe there is a place as well for the individually-crafted page.
The materials used in the process are as authentic to their medieval counterparts as possible. First,
the paper is imported from Italy; it is a vegetable-based, acid-free paper made to replace animal-skin parchment, or "vellum." Through extensive research and experimentation, James and Hilarie have found that this paper, called Pergamenata, has identical qualities to real vellum in its ability to take paint and ink, as well as in its appearance and texture. The calligraphy is then rendered in an acid-free black ink for durability and resistance to ultraviolet light damage. Next, the vibrant colors are painted with gouache, which is an approximation of
ones used by scribes from hundreds of years ago. The final touches are added in 23K gold leaf, hand-hammered to a few microns thick. It is applied with similar techniques scribes in the Renaissance used on their manuscripts made for kings, popes, and persons of status and wealth.
All works of art are original and produced by the Cornwell ScribeWorks Studio. Manuscript styles shown throughout the site are available for commissions with longer or shorter texts for adjusted prices. E-mail, call, or write us; we'll be happy to give you a quote.
We are continuing to add new works, and invite you to return often.
