Laurie Lipton is an American artist who is amazing. Just… look at this:

Splendor Solis 1989

That’s coloured pencil on paper.

That’s almost too beautiful to be allowed. But I’m going to give her a break.

That’s one of her pieces for Splendor Solis , an alchemical manuscript from the Middle Ages. I love me some alchemy, and I love illuminated manuscripts. The original illuminations can be seen here . Lipton’s versions are on the first two pages of her Commissions here .

Laurie Lipton Splendor Solis ‘The Sun’

Laurie Lipton Splendor Solis ‘Black Sun’

But I found those after doing research for this post. I was originally enthralled by her charcoal and pencil drawings, which are often macabre and intricate and always impressive.

Laurie Lipton ‘Bone China’

Laurie Lipton ‘Fourth Horseman’

Laurie Lipton ‘Maskers’

Maskers puts me in mind of ‘The Masque of the Red Death’. Always a good thing.

Laurie Lipton ‘Queen of Bones’

Laurie Lipton ‘Umpteenth Anniversary’

Laurie Lipton ‘Nuit D’Amour’

Which is a take on Gabrielle d’Estrees et une de ses soeurs.

Laurie Lipton ‘Prime Time’

Laurie Lipton ‘Reunion’

Lipton’s official website

You can also follow her on Twitter (she is hilarious and smart, follow her)

She’s also on Facebook . Like her.