Rubric for Illumination

A rubric is a set of criteria used to determine a score.

This rubric was written by AEthelmearc Laurels Yvianne de Castel d'Avignon and Alicia Langland.
**Not all judges use the same criteria.**
This rubric is a tool that will help you know what some judges look for in illumination entries at an A&S competetion. It was originally developed as part of the Ice Dragon Project.

To receive a score of:
5 - the goal was absolute perfection
3 - are things you would expect to see in an average piece
1 - is the quality expected from a beginner.

Even if you never use this for A&S competitions, it may help you improve your illumination skills. Try judging your own work. This rubric will help you look for things you may not think about.

Quality Definitions

Aesthetics
The extent to which the elements of an entry work together to create a pleasing "whole" while maintaining the period aspect of a piece.
Authenticity
The extent to which the entry uses period materials and techniques to create an item of a specified period (may be influenced by process, materials or aesthetics).
Execution
The extent to which the entrant uses their skill combined with their knowledge of materials and techniques to make an entry.
Creativity
The extent to which the artist combined original elements and substitutions with their knowledge of period materials and techniques to create a unique entry.
Complexity
The extent to which the entry was difficult to produce. (May be influenced by materials used, availability of materials, difficulty/simplicity of style, intricate details, number and difficulty of steps in the process, overall size and scale.)
Documentation
The extent to which the entrant provides written material that explains what they were trying to produce, the materials used and the process of creating the piece. Provides appropriate historical background and source(s) for the entry.

5 points - entries at this level display:

Aesthetics

  • looks like a page from a medieval manuscript
  • uses colors found in period
  • maintains a consistency of style
  • elements shown in the perspective one would expect to find in a piece of that style
  • good balance in color and layout

    Authenticity

  • uses period pigments and binders
  • uses vellum
  • uses real gold and period size (if appropriate to style)
  • any people or animals painted as they would have been in a piece from the chosen period
  • done to size and scale of period pieces
  • no mistakes are easily detected or have been dealt with in a period manner

    Execution

  • demonstrates a good use of space
  • maintains a consistency of paint color, coverage and texture
  • clean white work, diaper patterns, and knotwork (if appropriate to the style)
  • commitment to painting elements (shadows, highlights, shading appropriate to the style)
  • no detectable flaws in the gilding (if appropriate to the style)
  • neat edges to painted and/or gilded areas
  • consistency in line width (knotwork or vinework) or repetitive elements
  • maintains proper size ratios of individual elements
  • no non period makings left on the page (pencil marks erased)

    Creativity

  • uses period models to learn a style rather than recreate an existing piece
  • Incorporates mistakes into piece
  • incorporates heraldic badges and devices in a complimentary fashion

    Complexity

  • contains well executed human or animal figures
  • contains raised gilding, possibly tooled, if appropriate
  • uses period materials properly (good technique)
  • contains intricate design (precise repetitive elements such as diapering or knotwork)
  • overall size and scale of elements

    Documentation

  • neatly typed or handwritten
  • well organized
  • states what entry is
  • cites location
  • cites date
  • cites period exemplars (primary or secondary source)
  • if based on a style rather than an existing piece, several exemplars should be listed
  • contains photocopy or picture of exemplar(s)
  • analysis of the style (defining characteristics)
  • information on the process used to create the piece
  • explanation of any substitutions or changes to period practices
  • list of materials used
  • bibliographical reference to materials
  • bibliographical reference to techniques

    4 points - entries at this level display:

    Aesthetics

  • looks like a modern forgery of a page from a medieval manuscript
  • uses colors found in period
  • maintains a consistency of style
  • elements shown in the perspective one would expect to find in a piece of that style
  • good balance in color and layout

    Authenticity

  • uses a combination of modern and period pigments and binders
  • uses good quality paper or "spam" vellum
  • uses real gold leaf and modern size (if appropriate to style)
  • done to scale of period pieces
  • mistakes dealt with in a period manner

    Execution

  • demonstrates a good use of space
  • maintains a consistency of paint color, coverage and texture
  • clean white work, diaper patterns, or knotwork (if appropriate to the style)
  • good attempt at shading, but lacks defined highlights and shadows (muddy)
  • some flaws in gilding (if used) neat edges to painted and/or gilded areas
  • consistency in line width (knotwork or vinework) or repetitive elements
  • maintains proper size ratios of individual elements
  • no non period makings left on the page (pencil marks erased)

    Creativity

  • uses elements from several pieces of a single style to create an original piece
  • Incorporates mistakes into piece
  • incorporates heraldic badges and devices in a complimentary fashion

    Complexity

  • contains human or animal figures
  • contains gilding
  • uses period materials
  • contains elaborate designs
  • overall size and scale of elements

    Documentation

  • neatly typed or handwritten
  • states what entry is
  • cites location
  • cites date
  • cites period exemplars (primary or secondary source)
  • if based on a style rather than an existing piece, several exemplars should be listed
  • contains photocopy or picture of exemplar(s)
  • information on the process used to create the piece
  • explanation of any substitutions or changes to period practices
  • list of materials used

    3 points - entries at this level display:

    Aesthetics

  • looks similar to a page from a medieval manuscript
  • mostly uses colors found in period
  • maintains a consistency of style
  • elements not shown in the perspective one would expect to find in a piece of that style
  • good balance in either color or layout, but not both

    Authenticity

  • uses gouache or watercolors
  • uses good quality paper
  • uses imitation gold leaf, ink or paint (if appropriate to the style)
  • mistakes are cleanly erased or painted over

    Execution

  • shows an understanding of use of space, but few gaps or obvious fixes
  • paint outside the lines
  • unpainted areas
  • inconsistent paint coverage - paint too thin in some areas, obvious brush marks in others
  • inconsistencies in white work, diaper patterns, and knotwork (if appropriate to the style)
  • shows an understanding of shading but placement or technique is off
  • mostly neat edges on painted and/or gilded areas
  • inconsistency in repetitive elements
  • improper size ratios of individual elements
  • some non period makings left on the page (pencil marks erased)

    Creativity

  • uses a single period model to recreate an existing piece
  • incorporates modern heraldic badges and devices in an attractive fashion

    Complexity

  • contains simple designs, diaper patterns or knotwork patterns
  • overall size and scale of elements

    Documentation

  • typed or neatly handwritten
  • states what entry is
  • cites location
  • cites date
  • cites one period exemplar (primary or secondary source)
  • describes the process used to make the piece
  • list of materials used
  • explains any substitutions

    2 points - entries at this level display:

    Aesthetics

  • border is often even all the way around (no recto or verso)
  • uses some period colors
  • combines elements from several different styles
  • elements painted without any consideration of perspective
  • unbalanced in layout or color

    Authenticity

  • uses acrylic or other modern paints
  • uses thin paper
  • uses yellow paint in place of gold (if used)
  • combines portions of different exemplars - often taken out of context

    Execution

  • paint outside of lines
  • unpainted spots
  • inconsistent coverage - paint too thin in some areas, brush marks are evident in others
  • some attempt to paint shading (not consistent in light source - not enough contrast)
  • large areas left blank or elements crunched together to fit available space
  • poor consistency in line width (knotwork and vine work) or repetitive elements
  • improper size ratios in international bar and ivy (if used)
  • mistakes left as is or poorly dealt with (white out, holes left in paper from aggressive erasing)

    Creativity

  • uses poor sources to base work on (Victorian or modern versions of medieval designs)
  • incorporates modern heraldic badges and devices in an arbitrary fashion

    Complexity

  • would work for an older child's coloring page
  • elements taken out of scale from exemplar (usually too large)
  • no consistency of size and shape of repeated elements

    Documentation

  • handwritten, possibly illegible
  • states what entry is
  • cites location
  • cites date
  • materials used

    1 point - entries at this level display:

    Aesthetics

  • border is often even all the way around (no recto or verso)
  • uses non-period colors
  • combines elements from several different styles
  • unbalanced in layout and color balance
  • contains jarringly modern elements

    Authenticity

  • uses things other than paint for color (markers, colored pencils etc)
  • uses thin paper (modern calligraphy parchment included)
  • uses yellow paint in place of gold (if used)
  • uses only a portion of an exemplar taken out of context
  • Scale of elements used is off (usually too big)

    Execution

  • large areas left blank or elements crunched together to fit available space
  • inconsistent coloring (outside of lines, blank spots ... looks messy)
  • 3 dimensional motifs painted in one shade only
  • ragged edges from painting over lines
  • uneven consistency in line width (knotwork and vine work) or repetitive elements
  • improper size ratios in international bar and ivy (if used)
  • penciled layout lines left (not erased or possibly embossed into paper)
  • displays poor work habits (many mistakes or marks on paper that could have been easily avoided or fixed)

    Creativity

  • uses inappropriate sources to base entry on (coloring books, fantasy art or motifs originating from memory)
  • does not deviate from a printed exemplar (may have been traced)

    Complexity

  • would work for a young child's coloring page
  • elements taken out of scale from exemplar (usually too large)
  • inconsistency of size and shape of repeated elements

    Documentation

  • states any *one* item that you would normally expect to find in documentation (what entry is, materials used, etc....)

    No documentation receives no points ... it is the only category you can score a zero in.