Illuminated Manuscript art is a wonderful way to weave together Lent, World History and tenets of the Catholic Faith. This project covers Common Core Standards for Religion for grades 6-8.
Grade Level
6th, 7th, and 8th grades. This project was created by 8th grade students.
Objective for Illuminated Manuscript Art
Middle school students will create their own illuminated manuscript using a chosen letter of the alphabet that connects with the Catholic faith or their first initial.
Time
4+ – 30 min lessons
Materials
- Oil pastels – Pentel Arts Oil Pastels, 50 Color Set (PHN-50) or crayons or colored pencils
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Black Sharpie Marker – Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point, Black, Pack of 5
- 9×12 Watercolor paper – Canson (100510941) XL Series Watercolor Pad, 9″ x 12″, Fold-Over Cover, 30 Sheets
- Brushes – Acrylic Paint Brush Set, 1 Packs / 10 pcs Nylon Hair Brushes for All Purpose Oil Watercolor Painting Artist Professional Kits
- Liquid Water Colors – Sargent Art 22-6010 10-Count 8-Ounce Watercolor Magic SetOr this mini version for homeschooling – Sargent Art 22-6210 10-Count 4-Ounce Watercolor Magic
- Kleenex for blotting paint
- Gold crayons – Crayola Bulk Crayons, Gold, 12 Count
- Gold Sharpie – Sharpie Metallic Permanent Markers, 3 Count
- Elmer’s 2022912 Liquid Glitter Glue, Washable, Gold, 6 Ounces, 1 Count
Inspiration/Artist
I made this project from this Youtube video on UnitedArtAndEd and UnitedNow.com. You can use it for your own reference or share it with your students.
Illuminated Letters – Project #214
Instruction with Questions
First
This Power Point Presentation is a fabulous way to introduce this ancient artform. It covers historical references about the evolution of this process. This is a great lesson that I have used as art integration even in public schools.
Illuminations Treasures of the Middle Ages BBC YouTube
Or
Making Manuscripts from the Getty Museum
Review the videos. Ask students to recall things that surprised them or new information they learned. I am sure they will have more appreciation for any artwork you assign that does NOT take months to complete. Haha.
Second
Review the steps from the Power Point listed above. (I cannot find the resource where I found these steps.) They show how to, step-by-step, develop this artwork.
On a 9×12 piece of watercolor paper, students first create the borders. These are approximately 1″ thick from the edge of the paper. Twice. Inside the smallest box, they make their Letter.
Third
During this step, students will choose and illustrate their alphabet letter for their Illuminated Manuscript. I print out all of the pages for this awesome Catholic alphabet coloring book listed below. I think this is a great comprehensive collection of Catholic faith themes. As you can see from this example, these are very simplistic images that go with each alphabet letter.
It is $3.00 at time of my posting on Etsy, Do small things with love. Worth every penny!
Students names are pulled from a hat as they choose their letter/theme. Have them write down their choice on your roster next to their name.
I found these great references online that I photocopy and pass out:
Fourth
Students complete all of the steps, adding sharpie, oil pastel or crayon, watercolor paint, gold sharpie etc.
Finally, students may add some gold glitter to the artwork for adornment!
This is such a great lesson! The parts of the videos where they talked about how the people in medieval times made the materials for the inks, paper, etc., made me think of a book called The Secret Life of School Supplies, by Vicki Cobb. It talks about common school supplies and stationery materials and how they were originally made, and from what kinds of raw materials, and how they are made in modern times. It also features a number of step-by-step projects for making some of them by hand. It could make for an interesting extension from this. Possible connections for science and/or social studies, I would guess, too.
Oooooooo I love a good lead. Thank you for this recommendation. I will check it out and find ways to incorporate it into this lesson. Thank you for reaching out.