Two For The Show...

With the quote picked out, the next step was to think about the layout and design. Since I wanted to start the quote with an illuminated initial, I turned to some books and notes for inspiration.

I liked the B with the bird. Not too crazy about the vine, but decided to try it out. Meh.

From the Manuscript Illumination and Gilding notes from the classes I took with Valerie Weilmuenster, I decided I liked the shape of the vine and box from one of her Ws. So I drew a boxed U and added birds to the vine. There's my letter.