Looking for help with a woodcut / stained glass style

**Dr Midnight** · June 29th, 2010, 07:55 PM

Hiya- apologies if this is in the wrong area. I'm being contracted for an album cover and the client wants a specific style- a flat medieval woodcut style with soft color and texture. Almost like face cards in a deck. Something like these.

I'm not too well-versed in the style but I can't wait to take a run at it. I'm just having trouble finding examples and keywords of this style to aid in my mad googling. Could anyone link me to a gallery or artist of this style or just point me in the right direction with some search terms to use? I've been using STYLIZED WOODCUT MEDIEVAL STAINED GLASS and it's not really turning up much in the style I'm looking for. Help?

**Mr Man** · June 29th, 2010, 08:05 PM

I just googled medieval illustration and quite a few things popped up. Also try Medieval bestiary. Keep your search simple.

Edit: Also try medieval book. What I tend to do when searching for a particular subject matter is poke around with simple words that related to the context. I then try to grab important names along the way, like the names of artists or whatever. I'll then run those through a search again and pick through those. My collection of resources end up like a tree, branching out with each investigation.

**Arshes Nei** · June 29th, 2010, 08:20 PM

This is a good one to study from too http://dore.artpassions.net/ although it's b/w you'll get the idea that most of the ones you're looking at tend use one base color and letting line blend in as value.

Also try "renaissance stained glass" for some alternate searches.

**sunandshadow** · June 29th, 2010, 08:38 PM

tarot and illuminated might be useful keywords. Those two examples in particular look like colored pencil and work, so using the right media can get you half way to the style they want. I would't try to do something like that in acrylic or oil anyway.

**Dr Midnight** · June 30th, 2010, 10:34 AM

Tarot... dammit, that should have occurred to me. Thanks!

**Ilaekae** · June 30th, 2010, 01:20 PM

Search under google for "Biblia Pauperum."

It's 14th century woodcut bible. I did the photo restorations for publication for Duquesne University years ago, and it sounds exactly like what you're looking for.