ILLUMINATED INITIALS
WITH MASTER PENMAN HARVEST CRITTENDEN
How this will work:
- This is a prerecorded class.
- You will have instant access upon registering.
- Includes closed captioning in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, and Japanese (others by request).
- All handouts, links and recordings are found in the course portal.
- Includes ongoing access to the Student Artboard, our community forum.
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How this will work:
- This is a prerecorded class.
- You will have instant access upon registering.
- Includes closed captioning in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, and Japanese (others by request).
- All handouts, links and recordings are found in the course portal.
- Includes ongoing access to the Student Artboard, our community forum.
Gorgeous samples from prior students!
(Pssst. Yes, this is what YOU will do too!)
What you'll learn:
Gilded initials are perfect for use on the most formal corporate piece to the most informal gifts! Frame them, use them on a fancy certificate.
Just want to use gold leaf? Apply the gilding techniques to other art pieces like the centers of your flowers or filigrees.
Harvest provides us with multiple capital alphabet exemplars to choose from and then guides us through adding embellishments and designs to create a unique piece of art.
We'll learn step-by-step painting techniques to build depth then step-by-step gilding techniques for creating smoothly pillowed golden effects using Instacol and real leaf gold.
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Who It’s For:
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Anyone who loves the timeless beauty of illuminated manuscripts and wants to create their own decorative initials.
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Calligraphers and lettering artists eager to add gilding, color, and ornamentation to their work.
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Artists and hobbyists interested in combining paint, gold leaf, and fine detail for a luminous effect.
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Journaling and scrapbooking enthusiasts who want to elevate pages with elegant, hand-painted initials.
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Creative gift-givers looking to design personalized monograms or keepsake pieces for loved ones.
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Beginners curious about illumination techniques taught in a friendly, step-by-step format.
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Experienced artists ready to explore traditional methods and expand their artistic repertoire.
Self-paced. Full year access.
STUDENT LOG INCan I rewatch the lessons?
Can a beginner take this course?
What supplies do I need?
Does this class have closed captions?
Is this an interactive class?
LESSON MODULES
With 50 bitesize lessons to guide you through creating luminous, handcrafted gilded initials from start to finish.
Module 1 (9 videos):
- Discover the foundations of illuminated letters through traditional inspirations
- Learn how to design a square framework for your initial
- Trace, refine, and embellish your chosen letter with floral elements
- Combine your decorative box with your letterform
- Add acanthus leaves and final refinements before transferring your design to paper
Module 2 (10 videos):
- Begin your second illuminated design
- Build a square pattern and experiment with letter variations
- Combine your layout with your letter for a polished composition
- Learn about real gold leaf and prepare your piece for gilding
- Transfer your design, apply Instacoll, and lay gold leaf
- Includes two Q&A sessions with Harvest
Module 3 (5 videos):
- Explore the essential tools for gilding
- Apply Instacoll using both a ruling pen and a brush
- Learn professional paint-mixing techniques using CMYK
- Finish with a clean application of gold leaf
Module 4 (4 videos):
- Study color patterns inspired by traditional references
- Practice painting decorative patterns in rectangular and curved shapes
- Add gold accents and paint the initial “C” step-by-step
Module 5 (7 videos):
- Draw inspiration from Wedgewood designs
- Apply Instacoll and gold leaf to your new piece
- Learn Harvest’s process for mixing colors and creating depth
- Continue building layers, details, and corrections
- Master the checkered pattern technique with Kestrel
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Module 6 (9 videos):
- Break down the structure of an illuminated “C”
- Build depth and add fine details
Paint pearls and learn tooling with Mary and Baby - Add filigree, oval details, and egg-yolk gouache techniques
- Includes a Q&A session with Harvest
Module 7 (6 videos):
- Learn how to execute clean, refined tooling
- Tool and perfect your final piece
- Add finishing shadows, edge clean-ups, and final touches
- Complete your polished Design II illuminated letter
A perfect way to expand your artistic skills and professional offerings!
Make framed gifts!
Adorn quotes and cards!
Offer stunning
certificates & ketubahs!
Work with universities and government offices!
How this will work:
- This is a prerecorded class.
- You will have instant access upon registering.
- Includes closed captioning in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, and Japanese (others by request).
- All handouts, links and recordings are found in the course portal.
- Includes ongoing access to the Student Artboard, our community forum.
00
DAYS
00
HOURS
00
MINS
00
SECS
How this will work:
- This is a prerecorded class.
- You will have instant access upon registering.
- Includes closed captioning in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, and Japanese (others by request).
- All handouts, links and recordings are found in the course portal.
- Includes ongoing access to the Student Artboard, our community forum.
About Harvest:
IAMPETH Certified Master Penman Harvest Crittenden is the owner of Acorn Arts and Director of the Spencerian Saga. Highly esteemed in the international calligraphy community, Harvest has more than 30 years experience as a professional artist and instructor.
@masterpenman
LearnCalligraphy.com classes are hosted by Kestrel Montes. Aside from serving her own clients, Kestrel is perhaps better known for creating innovative tools and resources for the calligraphy community. Kestrel's own success as a professional artist paired with her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, gives her a unique skill set to create quality educational opportunities and enhance professional community building.
@inkmethis
