Biography
Timothy Noad has worked as a professional calligrapher, illuminator and heraldic artist for over thirty years. His work combines a thorough knowledge of both traditional and modern techniques and materials with an in-depth understanding of heraldry, symbolism, historical styles and natural history.
Based in London, Tim specialises in formal calligraphic and illuminated documents and presentation scrolls, mainly on calfskin vellum. Since graduating from Reigate School of Art with a First Class Diploma in 1986, Tim has worked for HM College of Arms in London, where his title is Herald Painter (heraldic artist) and Scrivener (calligrapher). Here he is responsible for painting and writing grants of arms and pedigrees and also heraldic designs for a wide variety of clients and purposes, such as stall plates for the Royal Victorian Order.
Tim is also a Scribe and Illuminator to HM Crown Office at the House of Lords and carries out many important Letters Patent. These are official documents issued by or on behalf of HM Queen Elizabeth II, including illuminated Royal Charters, appointments to the House of Lords and the Supreme Court, and Her Majesty’s consent for the marriage of HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
An elected Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators (FSSI), an Honoured Fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society (HFCLAS) and a Full Member of Letter Exchange, Tim has been made a Freeman of the City of London. He has also won an award for his miniature painting, specialising in animals.
Tim has an academic interest in the history of art leading to a First Class degree from Birkbeck, University of London and a Masters degree from the Courtauld Institute, where he specialised in painting and manuscript illumination from the Fifteenth century. This knowledge enables him to reproduce historical manuscripts and illuminations with especial insight and he has also carried out this work for television.
In addition, Tim is a successful and prolific designer of coins and medals for the Royal Mint, including One Pound coins, gold Sovereigns and The Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals.
Tim Noad is the author of the practical guide, The Art of Illuminated Letters (with Patricia Seligman, 1994), also published as The Illuminated Alphabet; Mastering Calligraphy (1996) and numerous articles in calligraphic and heraldic journals.
Tim has taught calligraphy, illumination and heraldic art to groups across Britain, Europe and Australia, including the British Museum and Brunel University. He has also given talks and lectures about his own work and historical aspects of heraldry, illumination and coin design, to groups including the V & A, the Heraldry Society and the International Exhibition of Contemporary Calligraphy in Moscow, 2017.
