This simple book is superlative in what it accomplishes. It has a short history of medieval illuminations in books with the various characteristics and colors of each periods. But the best part of this book is what I have been looking for, for over 15 years - and that is instruction on the actual making of illuminated paintings. It describes the best paper, how to trace the picture and lay it down, how to make raised beds for gold and the proper burnishing methods, how to lay down the color washes and subsequent tints and just about everything you need to know and don't find in modern books. You can extrapolate what modern material may substitute for those mentioned in the book. The book has a callegrafic set to practice with as well as various sections on design and colors. All the illustrations are in color! Great book.