Light A Candle: Figures with Silver Candlesticks in Medieval Illumination

Back by popular demand, Debbie Thompson Wilson leads this watercolour workshop, providing participants with a choice of images based on medieval manuscript illuminations that include silver candlesticks, taking inspiration from the “Light a Candle to Curse the Dark” exhibition, currently on view at Guelph Civic Museum, . All the paintings will be miniatures (under 4 x 6″) and will include images of animals, birds and human figures, all bearing silver candlesticks and candles. There will be instruction on painting with watercolours, gilding (using real gold leaf), and using metallic silver paint and artificial silver leaf. Some watercolour experience is helpful.
Preregistration is required. Get your tickets on Eventbrite.

Materials to bring to class:

• set of watercolours (pans or tubes)
• palette or plate for mixing colours
• a few small watercolour brushes (Size 0 or smaller)
• a fine watercolour brush you don’t care about (to use with gilding glue)
• paper towel or rag
• water container (small yogurt cup ideal)
• HB pencil
• 4B or 5B pencil
• kneaded eraser
• Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen (size XS) or Micron Pigma Pen (size 01) in black ink (or equivalent pen as long as it is waterproof black ink)
• x-acto knife with #11 blade
• Faber-Castell Pitt artist pen (black size XS) or Prismacolour Premier ink pen (sepia..size 005) (available at Wyndham Art Supply, Michaels)
• ruler
• sharp, clean scissors

Supplies provided for $15 supply fee (payable in class to Debbie, cash only):

• watercolour paper
• a fine watercolour brush
• gold leaf
• miscellaneous supplies
• handouts

Please note: there will be a lunch break during the workshop. Participants may bring a bagged lunch or leave the museum to get lunch in the area. Tea and coffee will be provided.

About the instructor:

Debbie Thompson Wilson has a BA in Fine Art and has been teaching the methods of medieval manuscript illumination for over 20 years. She exhibits her miniatures (based on on original 10-16th century manuscripts) on the annual Guelph Studio Tour and has taught many workshops throughout BC, Alberta and Ontario. There is great joy in small things!