Illuminated manuscripts inspire class journals

An illuminated manuscript

These fantastic works of art are very inspiring to students as they have so many little decorative elements to explore.

Illuminated manuscripts contain text supplemented by decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations. Popular in the middle ages roughly classified as 400 – 1500 AD.

Students will enjoy creating their own illuminated manuscripts.

Most galleries will have examples of illuminated works.  However there are some great resources online, simply Google “Illuminated Manuscripts” students can refer to these for ideas.

Younger students will just do their name or use the Colorific preprinted Alphabet shapes, but older students can write a story to illuminate or a poem perhaps.
If your students are up to it have them create their own feather pen to dip in ink by cutting the end down (will take some experimentation!).

Encourage very elaborate illustrations (typically plants and animals) and the use of either metallic pencils, gold and silver paint, or metallic oil pastels to add the richness of colour for the ‘illuminations’.

You can also use collected collage papers, Easter egg wrappers or aluminium foil pieces glued down to texturise the page.  Rhinestones and sequins are fantastic editions to really make the page spectacular and who doesn’t love a sprinkle of glitter!

Spectacular class journals inspired by Medieval illuminated manuscripts, and a fantastic segue into history just waiting to be explored!