S.A. Holt Studios

Hi there,

Yea! It’s here! Today is the day I get to post the pics of the 3 scrolls I have been working on! Yippee!

Here is the pic of Finola Sutherland’s Sable Chevronel, which is the service award for the Barony of Mons Tonitrous (Sierra Vista, AZ). It is modern materials, watercolor paper, watercolor and gouache paints, Calli inks. The design is after, The Bourdichon Hours, of a Mulberry.

The second scroll is one of the little Authentic Materials pieces I did last year. (Animal skin vellum, loose pigments with egg yolk binder, iron gall ink, gesso and gold leaf.) It is after the Bourdichon Hours, as well, and is of Cherries. It went to Jennifer Trethewy for her Light of Atenveldt (the upper level Kindgom service award for the Kingdom of Atenveldt, SCA). Since I made it, she has been jokingly calling it “My Light”, so I did a little plotting with the Crown who awarded it to her, so it would truly be “her Light”.

Last, but definitely NOT least, is the 2 sided scroll for Egan and Meadbhb. This is their Thegn and Banthegn scroll, which means they have completed their tenure as Baron & Baroness of one of our local SCA groups. This scroll is authentic materials (listed above with Jennifer’s Light, with the addition of aluminum leaf; silver leaf tarnishes over time and I wanted it to remain silver/white). This one is after the designs in the Book of Kells. The piece of vellum is about 8 x 10 inches, so the tiny spaces really are quite small. Now you can see why I needed to take some breaks away from it to let my eyes adjust back to “normal”. Needless to say, it made a stunning presentation when it was given out.
(This is in the order I completed it in.)

Side 1 – Calligraphy & Outline

Side 2 – Outline only

Side 1 – Gesso & Gold Leaf applied

Side 1 – Paint applied

Side 2 – Gesso & Aluminum Leaf applied

Side 2 – Gesso & Gold Leaf applied

Side 1 – Completed!
Made the red dots around the capital letters more prominent. They were hard to see before.

Side 2 – Completed!
Painting and finish work is done!

I am currently working on another scroll which is due in 2 months. I do not have any information on who the recipient will be, so I’ll be able to post a pic of it when I get is completed. So far it’s turning out really nicely. I’ll post a pic of it in a couple of weeks.

Enjoy!
S

Hi there,

I am currently working on scroll #3, the Commander of the Fleur de Soleil. It’s an a ward that can, but doesn’t always, go out each reign (6 months). Only one goes out at a time. I found a design that has lots of detail and can be for either a male or female, as I don’t know who the scroll is going to.

I’m working with modern materials for this one. Watercolor paper, gouache paints, and modern inks.

I have it drawn up and some of the background painted. I’ll only take a final scan/pic of it and post it when it’s completed.

In other news, I’m thinking of doing some “how to” scribal videos for my blog. That probably won’t get going for a couple months while I figure things out. But I’ll keep you posted with my progress.

Enjoy!
S

Hi there,

Last week, I also completed scroll #2 out of 3, and got the final details on the third. The 2nd scroll, just like the first will need to go out before I post the pic of it. Your patience will be rewarded!

The third is started, it’s completely drawn up, and has the gold paint on it. It’s out of modern materials as well. It’s a 12th century (German?) design with LOTS of diapering. Diapering is background patterning. Lots of little, teeny, tiny squares to paint! Yippee! Diapering heaven! I love diapering (well, the kind without the kids anyhow).

After Wednesday, I will also have to get back to doing some serious work on my Apprentice Docent tour and talks.

I’m also collecting images to put up on a Photobucket for the Atenveldt (SCA Kingdom) Kingdom Minister of Arts & Sciences of all the past competitions and artisans displays that have happened over the years. I have some pics in already, but am getting more from the wonderful photographic populace at large.

Other than that, I don’t have too many other projects on the line. I think that may be enough for now, though.

Enjoy!
S

Hi there,

That’s right, the 2 sided scroll I’ve been working on in finally completed! Now I have to wait until it is given out to post the pics of it.

I have also made some jewelry lately as well. Just some little pendants, earrings, and bracelets.

My upcoming projects are, 2 more scrolls (one I have the details of, the other I don’t yet), a couple of porcelain pendants, and to clean my studio up (it looks like a disaster area!).

I am also looking forward to getting back into Docent training after having a summer break.

Enjoy!
S

Hi there,

Well, the 2 sided scroll is coming right along. I have another couple colors on it and have even worked out how to do some really small design elements that were confounding me.

I still have more little areas to paint, but I also have gotten some of the “larger” areas done as well. I say “larger” because I think the biggest area of one single color is maybe 1/2 x 1/2 inch tops.

It’s looking better and better (and more and more finished) all the time. I’ll be happy when it’s done and to it’s recipient, so I can post the pics.

Enjoy!
S

Hi there,

Well, last Tuesday I was able to get some color on side 2 of the 2 sided scroll. I have chosen to go with Ultramarine blue and Nicosia green for the 2 main colors, with red, black and white accents. So far it’s lookin’ good!

I taught a little beaded jewelry making workshop at my home this weekend for friends. My good friend Kat, who taught me to do beaded jewelry came down and sat with a couple of the ladies and really helped out a lot! Thanks, Kat!

The rest of us did some fairly simple beading and we all had a wonderful time. One of the ladies is originally from Puerto Rico and provided us with a great sound track for the day. It was a blast!

Today/this evening, I need to get back to working on the 2 sided scroll. More painting, yea!

Enjoy!
S

Hi there,

Well, I’m still putting gesso and gold leaf on the 2 sided scroll. I have 2 larger sections with tiny areas in them, plus an outline going around the entire design. It already looks really good, and very shiny!

I should be doing more work on it tomorrow to get the gold leafing done. Then, it’ll all be painting from there.

Enjoy!
S

Hi there,

Yep, that’s right… I’m still gold leafing the 2 sided scroll. The past couple of weeks have been fairly busy focusing on SCA and Docent stuff that has come up. Today, I’m back at making the scroll (and my cats) sparkly!

There are lots of little tiny areas already leafed and done. There are an awful lot more little tiny areas left to do. I keep taking eye-saving breaks, so it’s taking longer than if there was large areas of leafing. The trade off is that it’s going to look absolutely stunning when completed!

Pics will be posted after it is awarded.

Enjoy!
S

Hi there,

After a brief watercolor outbreak, I’m back to working on the 2 sided SCA scroll. I finally have the calligraphy, all the drawing, and now side one has gesso. Now I’m excited because I know it’s going to look good!

The calligraphy will have raised gold leaf, and little red dots surrounding the major capital letters.

Yes, I have also decided on gold leaf. I think the silver would just not look right on this specific tone of vellum. It’s light tan on the side with the calligraphy, and deeper tan, almost yellow ocher, but more brown, on the carpet page side.

I can’t wait until it’s finished, the recipient has it, and I can share the pics!

Off to see if the gesso has dried sufficiently for applying another layer.

Enjoy! (I know I am!)
S

Hi there,

I had another art day at the house on Sunday for my friend, Lesa. She came over and we did watercolor painting.

Here are the scans of the pieces I made. They are 9 x 12 inches each.
These will be posted on my eCrater account for purchase in the next few hours.

Enjoy!
S