The halo and the letters

First, apply a layer of ox gall over the places where the letters will be drawn, to be able to adhere the paint onto the gold, and let it dry. Prepare a dry red colour (China red) to write with precision. Draw the halo and the letters in two steps:

1) Make a fine line to mark the place of the halo and the letters

2) Redo the letters, taking into account their definitive and relative thickness

The letters must have the verticals bars thicker than the horizontal ones to give "height" to the writing. "IC - XC "indicate the initials of the name "Jesus-Christ" in Greek. In the nimbus wearing a cross, "O (omicron) – O (omega) -.N" mean: "I am Who I am" (Exodus III, 14) as God said to Moses when He appeared to him in the burning bush.

The codex

First layer, by floating : titanium white with a touch of yellow ochre

Second layer: highlight of the middle part of the codex with pure titanium white

Final lines of the codex: with pure vermilion red.

Next step:

Assist gilding - Preliminary steps

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