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About

I am a calligrapher and digital artist with a B.F.A. in Printmaking and an M.F.A. in Intermedia (Digital Art).

The majority of my calligraphy work is in the form of Illuminated Manuscripts incorporating calligraphy, painting and gilding using medieval-style materials and techniques.

This includes grinding my own pigments from Lapis Lazuli, Malachite and Azurite and using commercially available dry pigments with traditional egg tempera painting. My preferred support material is genuine vellum although some of my commissioned work is on hot-pressed watercolour paper.

I use a variety of gilding techniques including shell gold, patent and raised gesso gilding with gold, platinum and silver leaf. My article on “Raised Gesso Gilding” is available at Natural Pigments (originally published in the Sacred Art Journal, Volume 13 Number 3 September 1992, pages 113-119.)

"Legends", A. Lucas 1990 (Title Page): Example of Raised Gesso Gilding and Patent Gold

I have taught calligraphy, illuminating and painting for about 10 years through community colleges, artist workshops and have lectured on the materials and techniques of illuminated manuscripts.

"The Tower", A. Lucas 1990: Dry Pigments, Ink, Gold on Vellum

Zoomorphic Letter "T", A. Lucas 2009: Pen & Ink

9 Comments »

9 Responses

on March 30, 2009 at 12:22 am | Reply knowledgetoday

I love your site. Keep it up !
on August 2, 2009 at 6:55 pm | Reply Virginia

I also love your site. It has so much information and techinque that I will be coming back over and over again.

Thank you for your dedication and for your fine work.
on April 20, 2010 at 10:18 am | Reply Elizabeth

Thanks so much for your good work. It’s a great website and has been very inspiring!
on December 11, 2010 at 7:23 pm | Reply Eileen

Thanks for sharing your expertise! I’ve just started to delve into it but already love it. I’ll be back for more!
on June 24, 2011 at 5:09 am | Reply Jay

Wonderful Site. Keep it up, by far the most helpful site/blog I’ve come across for beginners in calligraphy.
on July 22, 2011 at 12:37 pm | Reply Judy Sproles

I am looking for the N series nibs to purchase. Can you be of any help?
- on July 22, 2011 at 3:52 pm | Reply wolfgangcat
  
  I can think of a couple of “N” series nibs in different brands – not sure which brand you are looking for to purchase.
  
  John Neal Bookseller has a very large selection of nibs – you might find what you need there.
- on January 6, 2012 at 11:46 am | Reply Shari
  
  I agree – John Neal is a wonderful resource…..I just made my first purchase of Copperplate supplies (including a dozen new nibs) from them and am completely delighted! The delivery came far ahead of schedule, and everything I ordered was in the box. You should give them a look
on August 19, 2012 at 4:22 am | Reply Jim

This blog is the best source “of how to do it” information for illumination that I have found anywhere. I own many books on the subject but despite their beauty and cost they do not provide the instruction I need to learn new techniques. You are a great teacher. My compliments and thanks to you.