My book, Contemporary Illumination for the Calligrapher and Artist, was published in the UK and Europe on 5th November 2024.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has bought a copy and said such nice things about it!
REVIEWS
I predict it will be THE seminal reference book for a very VERY long time…… it is beautiful, unbelievably informative, and breathtakingly researched and illustrated. CC
THE best book about gilding! A very comprehensive guide to methods, mordants and metals, with an utterly divine gallery of works by Toni Watts throughout. A fantastic book and definitely a must have for anyone wishing to include gilding in their work. Josie Brown, The Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Academic Standards Board
The book is elegantly designed and there are numerous high quality illustrations, both of individual pieces and step-by-step instructions…(it) will surely stand the test of time as a serious and essential work on the subject Tim Noad MBE for The Society of Scribes and Illuminators
An amazing book by an amazing artist Fred Wessel, master of egg tempera painting
I treasure my copy and have it constantly to hand in my studio. It’s akin to having Toni on speed dial. This is a complete manual, a technical book showing what you can and cannot do with each gilding size and what you can and cannot fix when things go wrong. It’s exciting and substantial in its content. It’s informative, unique in its comprehensive nature and beautifully presented. – Tessie Cooling, for The Edge (The Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society Magazine)
Fantastic, clearly written book. I have been waiting for this book to be published and I am so happy with it. It is going to help my gilding practise so much. Highly recommend! ***** review at Waterstones.
This book is thorough and comprehensive in scope. The step-by-step demonstrations are clear and easy to understand….I found the pros and cons of each material so helpful as many guides don’t explore this. It really is one of the best books on the subject I have ever read. I am working my way through, trying everything out. ***** review on Amazon UK
A really knowledgeable, insightful, in-depth and up-to-date teaching manual, the likes of which I don’t think exists anywhere!!! It’s brilliant!!! Really it is!!! It’s been a while since a book has excited me so much! CE
It’s so genuinely useful and generous with information about materials – a modern equivalent to Cennini’s Craftsman’ Handbook SF
The most beautiful and complete gilding manual ever to appear on Earth. The masterpiece of a sensitive and very generous author who wanted to give us all her experience by naming us her heirs. Thank you Mrs Toni Watts! *****review on Amazon UK
This ‘book’, not really a good enough word for what to me is a piece of artistry in itself, will not be going on a bookshelf but will be kept to hand so when things in the world seem bad I can look at something beautiful. SW
It’s a good read as well as being chock full of practical advice on all things linked with using gold in calligraphy. RM
The book is a Tour de Force!! What a piece of work! CC
Where to buy
Please purchase from independent bookstores if you can.
Alternatives
Bookshop.org Bookshop.org is an online bookshop with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops
Thanks for your interest!