Last Saturday I ran 2 workshops on behalf of Rochester Cathedral to celebrate one of the UK’s oldest manuscripts – the Texts Roffensis. The above illustration was a test piece to show how the inks behave together. Not only do they blend together easily, they dry flat and still hold their vibrancy! And of course, the bleach is perfect for adding the fine white details!

FYI: The Textus Roffensis is the only existing copy of the first code of English law and was written in Rochester during the early 1120s. It has been described as one of the most important documents in English history. This manuscript, written in Old English and Latin, is hugely important in the history of English law and language and is believed to have influenced the wording of the Magna Carta of 1215 and, later, the American Declaration of Independence of 1776.

Using only dip pens, brushes and 10 diamine inks, the students had fun. Their brief was to create an illuminated letter ‘R’. Here are 6 of my favourites so far. (4 more workshops to follow). I’ll do a write up later, but just to say that the Diamines were ideal for task in hand and the students really got to grips with them. See what you think.