Celtic Art Tutorial.pdf

Celtic Knotwork Tutorial

Table of Contents

Introduction...............................................................................................................................................................1

Tutorial Source. ..............................................................................................................................................1

Class Background. .........................................................................................................................................1

Knotwork Background. ..................................................................................................................................1

Basic Interlace Construction. ...................................................................................................................................2

Basic Interlacing. ...........................................................................................................................................2

Basic Interlace Example: ...............................................................................................................................3

Curved Interlace Example. .............................................................................................................................4

Simple borders ("plaits"). ...............................................................................................................................5

Advanced Interlacing. ...............................................................................................................................................6

Interruptions and Interlacing Breaks.. ............................................................................................................6

Interrupted Panel Construction. .....................................................................................................................7

Borders with Corners ("Mitering"). .......................................................................................................................9

Introduction. ...................................................................................................................................................9

"Sliding" Pattern into a Corner. ...................................................................................................................10

Pattern Modifications into a Corner. ............................................................................................................11

Filling Spaces with Knotwork Interlacing. ...........................................................................................................12

Knotwork Band Treatments. .................................................................................................................................15

Introduction. .................................................................................................................................................15

Band Width. .................................................................................................................................................15

Band Edge Effects. .......................................................................................................................................15

Colors. ..........................................................................................................................................................16

"Doubling" Interlace Patterns. ..............................................................................................................................17

Analysis of Existing Patterns.. ................................................................................................................................18

Translations from Existing Works. ..............................................................................................................18

Limitations of Cell−based Interlacing.. ........................................................................................................20

Non−Square Grids.. ......................................................................................................................................20

Building Your Own Patterns.. ................................................................................................................................22

Triangular Knotwork. ............................................................................................................................................23

Introduction. .................................................................................................................................................23

Triangular Knotwork Panels. .......................................................................................................................24

Advanced Triangular Panels. .......................................................................................................................24

Triangular Knotwork Borders. .....................................................................................................................25

Further Topics (not covered in this instruction). .................................................................................................27

Class Bibliography. .................................................................................................................................................29

Basic Sources. ..............................................................................................................................................29

Celtic Knotwork Tutorial

Table of Contents

Further Topics Bibliography. .......................................................................................................................29

Web Page Resources. ...................................................................................................................................29

Sample Grids. ..........................................................................................................................................................30

Regular Grid. ................................................................................................................................................30

Wide Band Grid. ..........................................................................................................................................31

Narrow Band Grid. .......................................................................................................................................32

Doubled ( Lindisfarne −style) Grid. ...............................................................................................................33

"Pictish" Grid. ..............................................................................................................................................34

Introduction

Tutorial Source

This instruction is based on a class covering beginning Celtic knotwork construction ( Introduction to Celtic

Knotwork ) I gave during Pennsic War XXII (the week of 20 August 1993). The Pennsic Wars are a

long−running series of large yearly events held by the Society for Creative Anachronism (http://www.sca.org/) , a

nationwide organization of those interested in pre−17th century activities.

Class Background

This information should be considered introductory in nature, and assumes no experience in Celtic design, just a

fascination with it! It does not cover what I would call art or design as such, but is more "technical" in nature.

It covers basic interlacing techniques, simple border and panel construction and analysis, how to do interlaced

corners, doubled knots, and provides links to other, advanced sources for your further research. Techniques

learned can be (and have been) applied to both hand−drawn and computer− generated knots. The techniques

described in this class did not originate with me. I only use them, felt that they were not well−enough known,

and hoped that the class (and this web site) would help them gain wider appreciation.

Knotwork Background

Where did what we call "Celtic knotwork" come from? It's roots are in pre−history, probably based on actual

interlace patterns from basketwork. For example, there are bones carved in simple interlaces that have been

found associated with stone tools from the late Paleolithic. Influences can be seen in art from Persia, Africa,

Egypt, and other places (see [BainG], page 27 for some examples). Celtic patterns from the middle ages seem to

be influenced by a hybrid of older pagan sources plus Christian influences in Roman−period and later ("Dark

Ages") British isles. It is interesting how the Christian influence (especially Roman and Irish monastic) seemed

to enrich rather than replace the earlier pagan artistic traditions. There appears to have been an early

concentration on geometric forms; interesting parallels with Islamic art. One interpretation has it that the

scribes' belief that "...God sees all imperfections..." caused intense concentration on artistic perfection in their

work.

Sources for patterns used in this instruction (and in the associated Celtic Computer Art page) are taken from

illuminated Gospels; Durrow (ca. 680 AD); Lindisfarne (ca. 700 AD); Kells (ca. 800 AD); and from carved

stones (especially see [BainG] and [BainI]; also [Meehan2]). In the case of the great manuscripts, it appears that

masters designed and initiated patterns, with students (monks) completing the work.

For an interesting look at the earliest origins of Celtic art in general, see: Barbarians on the Greek

Periphery? (http://www.iath.virginia.edu/~umw8f/Barbarians/first.html) , a hyper−text PhD thesis.

Another good resource is The Origin and meaning of Celtic Knotwork , found on the web at

http://home.ctnet.com/drew/knotwork−meaning.html . The author, however, feels that Lindisfarne was the

earliest major knotwork effort ( Durrow is usually cited as the earliest), but agrees with the ca.700 AD time frame

for the creation of Lindisfarne . The author also mentions that plaits broken and reattached (see Basic Interlacing

Construction and Interrupted Interlacing for examples) were first used in Italy in the early 700's; a claim I'd not

heard before. The Origin and meaning of Celtic Knotwork site includes a good bibliography−−it can be reached

from the link noted above.

Introduction

Basic Interlace Construction

Basic Interlacing

The most basic rule of interlacing is: "First under then over then under then..."

Some early documented construction techniques (see [BainG]) involved drawing lines, then creating ribbon−like

bands around these lines, and then erasing the interlaced areas. Later construction techniques (see [van Stone],

[Sherb], and [BainI]) involve generating a grid of cells using points laid out like "dice 5", and only drawing the

lines needed, with little or no erasing required. From evidence on the manuscripts themselves this appears

similar to the actual techniques used by the Celtic scribes.

One "cell".

These cells are repeated and grouped to give a "grid" (in this case of 3 cells by 2 cells) of

dots, circles, or diamonds. That is, the dots, small circles or diamond shapes are drawn to

give guidelines for the knotwork bands. The following table provides pros and cons for

using the different pattern layout variations:

Pluses

Minuses

Quick and authentic, little or no erasing

required

Harder to keep constant band with

Dots

Small

Circles

Easier to keep constant band width, and

easier to hand draw

Some erasing may be required in corners and along

walls

Diamonds

Most accurate and consistent band width Hard to hand draw (but easy on the computer), and will

always require some erasing

Bands are drawn at 45° to the original grid, between but not touching the dots. If bubbles (small circles) or

diamonds are used, then the edges touch the circles/diamonds. The bands "bounce" or "turn" off the edges and

corners of the grid (referred to as the "walls" in this class). Please see the example below:

Basic Interlace Construction

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