Toni is one of the few remaining professional manuscript illuminators in the UK.
Currently illuminator at Lincoln Cathedral, she specialises in the creation of contemporary and traditional illuminated pages using 24 carat gold and hand-made paint. Coloured pigments are extracted from rocks, roots and berries. Toni works with semi-precious rocks such as azurite, malachite, chrysocolla and cinnabar, as well as certain plant colours (weld, madder and Persian berry). These raw materials are ground, washed, purified, and slowly transformed into luminous jewel like pigments. The pure colours are made into paint by grinding and binding the powder with egg or gum. Modern watercolour paints are also used for the contemporary pieces.
Several layers of 24 carat gold are applied to each painting, supported by manuscript gesso painstakingly hand-made to a traditional recipe. The gold leaf is then burnished to a high shine. It is the dance of light on gold that gave rise to the term ‘illumination’ – the gold appears to light up the page.
Profile photo: Rob Davis, Lincolnshire Pride magazine.
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