Courses
Have you always wanted to learn the basics of book illumination? Immerse yourself in the art of past centuries and create your own medieval works. In my online courses, I will guide you step by step through the techniques and secrets of this traditional art form. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced artist, you'll find the right courses here to expand your skills and unleash your creativity.
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My courses are in English and consist of recorded videos, so they are not live, but for self-study. However, I will not leave you alone on your journey, and you will have many opportunities to exchange ideas with me.
Medieval Patterns
In “Medieval Patterns,” you learn how to make shell gold and how to paint patterns in the style of medieval book illumination.
Symbols and motifs, checkerboard patterns and swirls—in this course, we will work together to create a collection of over 30 patterns that will provide you with an inexhaustible source of inspiration for your medieval artwork.
Medieval Wildlife
In “Medieval Wildlife,” you will learn how to paint animals in the style of medieval book illumination—from the basics to creating a complete miniature.
You will learn more about the meaning and symbolism of animals in medieval book illumination, and we will draw and paint a total of six animals: a serpent, a dolphin, a rabbit, a cat, a horse, and an eagle. For each animal, we will look at different painting techniques, giving you a deep insight into working with gouache paints. With the eagle, we will not only paint the animal, but also create a complete illumination, so that by the end you will have created your own work of art like in a medieval bestiary.
The Art of Medieval Initial
In “The Art of Medieval Initial,” I give you an introduction to the fascinating world of medieval book illumination and a comprehensive introduction to the art of initials.
Learn step by step how to draw and paint ornate medieval initials and delicate leaf tendrils. A special highlight: I share my tried-and-tested recipe for homemade gesso and show you how to use it to create authentic, raised gilding. Immerse yourself in historical techniques and create your own unique works of art.
What my students say:
Elizabeth
“I signed up. It's a great course. Very detailed instructions and good visuals. Plus you can stop the videos, go back, etc. I highly recommend."
Avinash
"First of all, I want to say that Julia is a fantastic tutor and an expert in her field. I am so grateful that I took her session, which taught me many valuable things, including how to craft my own gesso and letters. I plan to take an advanced session soon. Additionally, Julia explains everything in detail, providing comprehensive information about gilding. I loved the session and enjoyed it tremendously; I still practice what I learned every day. Thank you, Julia, and I wish you a very successful future!"
Naomi
“Julia is an excellent teacher. The pace of the class was perfect. Slow enough for students who needed it but not so slow that the class dragged. I appreciated not only her step-by-step instructions, but also her clearly extensive knowledge of the history of her art. It was a pleasure to spend a few weekends learning from her.”