An Auspicious Beginning
I’m heading to the foothills of the Italy’s Apennine mountains this week to teach a watercolor workshop with Winslow Art Center. It’s a privilege and a pleasure to have this opportunity and I can’t wait to be back at Castello di Petroia. This authentic medieval fortress turned boutique hotel is perched on a hilltop between the towns of Perugia and Gubbio, with inspiring views of the surrounding landscape. The castle, birthplace of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino (b.1422), is surrounded by a 600-acre traditional Umbrian farm with beautiful olive groves, hiking and horse-riding trails, meadows, woods and abundant wildlife. Because I’ll be staying in a place that was most prominent in the 1400s, I wanted to try my hand at Renaissance White Vine illuminated letters, which mark many texts of this period. It makes for an auspicious beginning, don’t you think?
Tips and Techniques– When setting out for new places, take some time to get oriented beforehand. I like to read up on the history, culture, plants and wildlife of where I’m headed. This type of research not only prepares me for the trip, but also informs what I want to sketch beforehand or when I arrive. This illuminated text is in my sketchbook and marks the start of the sketches I’ll do while in Italy.
The Bible of Illuminated Letters by Margaret Morgan was my go-to source for learning about this lettering style. The elaborate vine scrolling is not easy to do and it took me a few tries to get the hang of it. Traditionally, the capital letter would be gilded, but I used Winsor & Newton gold ink, paired with gouache to achieve the flat opaque color that is characteristic of this style. See you in a few weeks– Ciao!
Drawn In 
Absolutely lovely lettering! The retreat sounds dreamy — enjoy! It’s on my wish list!
I’m looking forward to a wonderful experience!
That is beautiful Jean, what a great beginning, that sounds like a lovely place.
Wish you were coming along!
Me too Jean, maybe next year we won’t have animals to take care of, the rest of the place can survive in the weather! Hope you take some pictures to show how lovely it is!
Will do! See you in November!
Love the illuminated letter, Jean! Can’t wait to see your travel journal upon your return from Italy! Wishing you a magically creative adventure!
Thanks Barb!
😁
How delightful, Jean. What a beautiful location, area filled with history. Enjoy!
Jann
Thanks Jann. It’s a stunning location…can’t wait!
Love your lettering, it’s so graceful. Thanks for sharing your process!
Thanks! I really enjoy trying new letter styles, especially for travels when there is a historical connection.
Oh how I wish I could be returning there with you. Look forward to seeing your journal pages and hearing about the Castello. See you at Ashokan
I’ll miss you! Hope we have just as wonderful a week as we had together. See you in late October!
It is wunderful! Years ago I tries something similar, influenced by the early gothic paintings in an old brickstone church. https://bewohntesgelaende.blog/2015/09/08/a-wie-anna/
Thanks for sharing— I really like the way you did your illuminated letter. The scroll work is so complicated to do.