From pencil sketches to mixed-media masterpieces, student artwork fills the halls and classrooms of Good Counsel. This photo series explores the creative process, highlighting the students behind the pieces, their inspiration, and the stories told through their work. In this feature, we will focus on a classic honors drawing project—the illuminated manuscript.

Mrs. Irby was interviewed to explain what is behind this project: “We look at the history of illuminated manuscripts and how they are originally created, what their original purpose was, going all the way back to ancient times, how paper was made, and how they used skins of animals and how books were copied by hand. Usually by monks and monasteries and how that tradition was passed on by generations. Obviously what we’re doing is an interpretation of that, so we took that sort of history, specifically looking at the book of Kells, which is in Trinity college, we looked at that history and developed it into a modern day personal interpretation. So after that they picked any quote that they wanted and created a glow with pictures and symbols, creating an illuminated version of that quote.”

This project really lets students put their own creative spin using characters and quotes from their favorite books, movies, and shows. The mediums used are copic markers and pens. First, the students must make a sketch of their design, then color and outline.
Student art contributes to school culture and creative expression by giving students an opportunity to express themselves and let their creative sides shine. The Talon encourages all students to visit art displays around GC and submit their own artwork for future features!