“The monoceros has the head of a stag, the tail of a boar, elephant’s feet and a horse’s body. A horn four feet long projects from his head. This creature was derived from the Indian rhinoceros.”
Here’s my version all inked and callig’d, based on the one in the Aberdeen Bestiary. I’d originally planned on a horizontal layout with the text to the right of the illustration. Changed my mind on the layout but kept the new beastie orientation. The thickest border band in my version will also have a different whitework design on it. Didn’t care for the dots in the original. It came together very, very quickly. I think I’ve only spend 2 hours on it so far.
The calligraphy is not very good. I REALLY need practice there. And I’m not crazy about how the lines ragged. The last line will have a filler bar but not the others. Just not quite enough space, plus it would look silly if each line had a filler bar.
I am happy with the monoceros though. The legs might be a bit stumpy but not too much. Although I freehanded it, I did use a grid to help with proportions and alignment.
Before I hop into bed tonight, I’m going to get another batch of gum arabic started and add some heated honey to it tomorrow! The inner square, middle band and “m” will be guilded. Oh, and the horn too.
This looks really spiff, so far! Can’t wait to see your updates on it.
Thank you so much! I hope I can do a better job on the guilding this time. Third times a charm, maybe?
I like the new look!
and about Vikings: I can get you stuff/articles/books that is not translated and translate it for y’all. I live in Viking Central you know : )
T
Hi Tove! Thanks! I’m still likin it too since I’ve been able to figure out some of the quirks.
I think there were a couple of articles that I would like to read but couldn’t… but I am not sure of the language. Will find the links and let you know. Thanks a million!