REGISTRATIONS CLOSE SATURDAY 21st FEBRUARY!

Exclusive opportunity for the participants of the medieval Illumination Experience

The Art of Medieval Initials

A 7-Week Journey into Medieval Illumination to Master Gilding and Painting Techniques

Gilding is a skill you can master - yes, YOU!

✨ New to gilding and worried it'll be difficult to start? Relax! Even if you've never touched gold leaf before, you'll be creating stunning results in no time. We’ll break it down step by step, and with the help of my course, you can learn everything at your own pace.

✨ Think gilding sounds too complex? I’ll share all the insider tips and tricks to help you conquer this dazzling art form with confidence.

✨ Worried you’re not "artistic" enough? Let me tell you a secret: while talent is nice, practice is the real game-changer. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.

The key is to not let fear hold you back. You could be on the brink of discovering a new passion.

Hi, I'm Julia!

I've been passionate about art from an early age, especially painting portraits and animals. After school, I pursued book studies, German studies, and art history at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Master’s in 2012, PhD in 2017).

During my studies, I focused on Johannes Gutenberg and the invention of book printing, particularly the fascinating transition from manuscripts to mass-produced books, where hand-painted details still made each copy unique.

In 2013, I began painting reproductions of Gutenberg Bible pages, combining my love for art with my academic background. Since then, I’ve worked as a freelance artist, specializing in illumination. Over time, I’ve received many questions about my techniques, and now, I’m excited to share my knowledge.

AT THE END OF THE COURSE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

Create a Medieval-Style Initial with Gold Leaf

You'll have mastered the steps to sketch, paint, and decorate your own initial inspired by Gothic medieval manuscripts, complete with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Apply Historical
Gilding Techniques

You will learn how to craft your own gesso following a researched historical recipe, allowing you to achieve a beautiful, authentic gilding effect using gold leaf.

Understand the Art of Book Illumination

Beyond the technical skills, you’ll gain valuable insights into the rich history and techniques of medieval book illumination, bringing context and depth to your creative process.

COURSE CONTENT

The course has more than 9+ hours of learning and practicing. It also includes more than 50 videos. You can pause and replay the videos as much as you want. The course is suitable for everyone. It would be best to take the course in order, because it will start from the basics to lessons at a more advanced level.

Practice makes perfect!

IN MY COURSE YOU WILL LEARN

How to Paint and Gild Your Own Medieval Initial

You’ll discover how to design and paint a stunning Gothic-style initial, and then enhance it with gold leaf to create a striking, historically inspired artwork.

The Art of Making Your Own Gesso for Gilding

I’ll teach you a special, researched recipe for crafting gesso, essential for achieving a brilliant and authentic gilding that shines just like in medieval manuscripts.

Techniques for Adding Depth and Dimension with Color

You will start by sketching a basic leaf tendril pattern and learn how to give it three-dimensionality using just three colors, mastering the principles of shading and form.

The History and Techniques of Medieval Book Illumination

Along the way, you’ll gain fascinating insights into the art and history of book illumination, deepening your appreciation for the techniques you’ll be learning and applying.

A global cohort, one shared starting point

You’ll join a worldwide cohort of students who all begin at the same level, at the same time.

Just like a school class, but online, and fully focused on Medieval Art.

No guessing where to start.

No feeling behind.
You move forward together, week by week.

You’re not doing this alone

From day one, you’ll be supported inside a private Facebook community made up of your cohort and other students of medieval illumination.

Inside the group, you’ll find:

a space to share your work and progress
guidance, feedback, and encouragement
accountability that helps you keep going week after week

You’ll also have access to a private Telegram group for this cohort, where you can ask Julia questions directly and get quick clarification as you work.

You’re learning this craft together, with support at every step.

A complete, structured learning path

This course is a guided journey for people starting from absolute zero who want to build real skill in medieval-style illuminated initials, using historically grounded techniques and a clear, structured method.

New modules released weekly over 7 weeks

New content is released each week, so you can build skill steadily without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Each module includes:

clear, easy-to-follow video lessons
supportive PDFs and visual references
practical exercises to help you develop real illumination skills

You always know what to work on next, and why it matters.

INCLUDED IN YOUR COURSE:

Fundamentals & Materials

We will look together at the materials, basic techniques, and knowledge needed to begin this journey. Approaching a new technique means first learning how best to use the tools at your disposal.

Practical exercises

Theory is important, but what makes you a true artist is practice... Lots of practice! You'll find lots of exercises to get started with and from which to get inspiration. I will show you some tricks that will make your drawings truly unique and masterpieces.

Lifetime Access

Once you register for the course, you will have lifetime access and you can watch it whenever you want! This will enable you to better learn even the most difficult notions. You don't have a deadline, you can take the course even for 5 minutes a day!

Flexibility

This is one of the course's strengths: being able to watch the videos wherever you want, whenever you want, and as many times as you want. The course is available from any device so you can watch the course from the comfort of your home or take a single lesson on the train!

Community of artists

As soon as you sign up for the course, you will join a group of people who, like you, share this passion and are following the same course as you. This means you'll be able to exchange ideas, tips or ask questions because you'll be surrounded by people who love art the same way you do!

My daily support

On this journey, you will never be alone! You can write to me and you will receive my feedback as soon as possible, so you will always feel supported. Sometimes, approaching new drawing techniques is not easy. You may feel that you are not enough, but don't worry: I will be there to help you, step by step!

BONUSES:

Extra content that you will get for free with the course

Gesso Recipe

Get access to my tested gesso recipe based on historical sources. With your homemade gesso, you can master the art of gilding

VALUE: $47 FREE

PDF with Full
Alphabet to Trace

Download a complete alphabet template in PDF format, designed for tracing and refining your skills in creating intricate gilded letters

VALUE: $47 FREE

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE SATURDAY 21st FEBRUARY!

Exclusive opportunity for the participants of the medieval Illumination Experience

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