[Antir_scribes] New questions from Bronwen

[Tegan Conwy]

I should be more specific. I started doing calligraphy for original scrolls for a local equestrian competition. The part I was unsure about was my painting ability. My partner at the time finally talked me into trying to do painting on an original for the equestrian. My first efforts were pretty sad, but I have improved since then.

I agree with Ursula about painting charters in An Tir to some extent as it depends on where you reside. Some areas seem to just promote painting charters while other areas offer some really awesome scriptoriums. I have tried with some success here in Mt Edge to get some scriptoriums going that offer classes on various scribal subjects along with getting some charters painted. (My work schedule has intruded lately, but I hope to get these going again soon.)

I would like to see more scribal classes and such offered about. Ithra is a great way of getting these classes out there. St Giles used to have a yearly Scribal Ithra that I attended twice and learned lots. Well worth the time and money to travel to Seagirt. (the university bookstore alone was worth the trip... ) I have not seen it on the Ithra schedule lately. Perhaps we need another branch to take up that baton and run with it. 

To some of Ursula's particular points:

As Royal Scribe south I have been trying to get notice of any original scrolls that TRM's may need as I have a couple scribes that have been asking for assignments. I would suggest if you really want to do some original works to contact your nearest Barony or Principality and see if they would like you to take some on.

For advice on materials, ask here. The kingdoms best are here.

More period materials. Not sure I should plug this here, but Dame Tamlyn has a Scribal Retreat each year and her preferred emphasis is on more advanced scribal arts and period materials. I think she is still planning on having one this winter. I have learned ever so much from attending these and always come home SO jazzed. I hope to start adding these classes to my local scriptoriums.

Permission to work smaller. This is allowed in An Tir but you need to run it by the Royals and the Royal scribe if it's for the current reign and by the recipient if it's for a backlog scroll. At least that is my understanding and as I did one that was smaller than the 11 x 14 size for a previous reign I am pretty sure it's okay. May Titivellous strike if I am wrong....

Scribal work sessions that are not dedicated to charters. I find that most evenings are not long enough to really cover a topic well, but that seems to be what most people have available. I agree that we need to get more opportunities out there.

Tegan



--- On Sun, 9/28/08, Ursula Georges <ursula at math.washington.edu> wrote:

Tegan Conwy wrote:

> 3) Do you have any other ideas about how to get people who have never done
it -
> involved in scribal activities?
> 
> I believe many people don't think they are artistic enough to do
scribal. I know
> that I was really unsure of my ability when I first started. I think
it's 
> important to emphasize that one does not have to start with Kingdom level
> scrolls/work. There are many other, less stressful, places to start. 

I'm going to pipe up here and make the case for offering many different 
paths to becoming a scribe.

I have never been particularly active as a scribe, but I have done 
scribal work in both An Tir and the Midrealm.  In An Tir, my experience 
has been that the standard path to becoming a scribe is to paint lots 
and lots of charters.  In the Midrealm, every scroll is an original: 
some are simple, some are complicated, but would-be scribes jump right 
in and start on originals, some doing calligraphy, some illumination, 
and some doing both.

I was the little kid who always wanted to draw and never wanted to 
colour.  As an adult, I know my strengths are in calligraphy, research 
and design.  I'm an indifferent painter of charters.

So if you want me to get more involved in scribal stuff, you need to 
advertise:

* Opportunities to work on original pieces, either alone or as a group 
project
* Advice on materials
* Help using more authentic materials (classes, articles, work parties 
with other scribes who are already using them)
* Permission to work SMALLER (the default An Tir scroll size is kind of 
huge compared to a lot of medieval exemplars)
* Scribal work sessions that aren't dedicated to charters

Ursula Georges.
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