LATE at The Library: ILLUMINATE!

A phenomenal night-out showcasing some of the finest illustrators working today – graphic novelists and comic artists, cartoonists, children’s book illustrators, calligraphers and contemporary illuminators. Among many others, this pop-up exhibition will include work by Jon Burgerman, James Jarvis, Alice Melvin, Martin Rowson and Mr. Scruff, who will also be the DJ for the night. Plus a special screening of Oscar nominated animated film The Secret of Kells; the world’s largest comic; masterclasses; bar and more.

Illuminate! offers an after-hours chance to soak up the sumptuous art of the medieval world on display in the PACCAR gallery, at the same time as its breathtaking modern-day counterparts. There is free entry to ‘Royal Manuscripts: The Genius of Illumination’ all night.

Illuminate! is presented in association with  House of Illustration who will be running a series of illustration workshops where you have the chance to make your own comic, medieval character, mix pigments and get to grips with typography.

The House of Illustration workshops are drop-in sessions running from 19.00 - 21.00

3D Narrative Life Drawing: Prepare to capture the hidden stories of the illuminated manuscripts with graphic novelist Karrie Fransman (The Guardian, The Times, Random House) and her Medieval Life Drawing class. Grab pencils and paper and weave the poses of knights, monks and angels into narratives fit for a king!

Bestiarum Vocabulum: Beasts, both real and fantastic, swarm, creep, and scramble across the pages of manuscripts made in the Middle Ages. Using giant dissected rubber stamps construct your own mythological creature from a host of weird and bizarre body parts with cult illustrator Stuart Kolakovich.

Myths of Early Earth: Winner of The Jonathan Cape Graphic Short Story Prize and soon to publish her first graphic novel, Isabel Greenberg will be running this workshop that demonstrates both digital and traditional illustration methods.

Book of Hours Letters: Renowned illustrator and educator Mary Pullen invites you to create your own illuminated letter drawing inspiration from traditional calligraphy, contemporary typography and the Royal Manuscripts on display.

Would You Paint A Pauper Purple?: Join illustrator & restorer Clarice Holt to discover which colours meant what in the world of Medieval illustration. Learn why a noblewoman wouldn't be caught dead in brown whilst for the average peasant, ultramarine was just a dream. Mix egg tempera paints in an array of stunning Medieval hues, and help us recreate a giant Medieval illustration in glorious technicolour!

Font Tales: Join five strong illustration group ZOMBIE Collective for a workshop of oversized proportions and help to create a  giant illuminated manuscript with typographic collage from Blackletter to Helvetica.

This event is part of the British Library’s Spring Festival, a five day celebration of creativity, fashion and design.

Write about this event on Twitter: #BLSpring