Handmade Calligraphy Book

For the next handmade book the theme is about early typography with calligraphy. My idea is to focus on the concept of illuminated letters and to learn more about it. 

     I decided on creating my own illuminated designs around each of the letters and the typeface I chose is Zenda, downloaded from Font Squirrel. 

     Here is my process so far: 

Zenda Typeface

                      

Inspiration for the material and cover design for my book.

Paper used is a heavy weight paper with torn edging. 

I traced the outline of letters with graphite tracing paper.

After tracing, I filled in the letter outlines with ink. 

I then painted a red border outside the letter, filling in the space with gold ink, and creating a floral design along the left border. The border and floral design are done in water color. 

Water color process of the two middle pages. 

Finished the last page. Wanted it to correspond with the first page.

I decided to do a 3 stitch binding for the book with embroidery thread. I used a "leather" like paper material for the cover I bought from Craft's Direct. I also stained the cover with tea to make it darker.  

Inside pages with binding. 

         

The finished book! I painted the front cover design with gold ink.

Through creating this book I learned that illuminated letters usually are ornately decorated. They are contained in borders with miniature illustrations and are decorated with gold or silver. 
     So through research I found images of illuminated letters I found floral designs that inspired me to create my own floral designs throughout the book. I wanted to keep a consistent design throughout the book with swirling vines, leaves, and flowers with gold ink illuminating the letters.