Icon painting for all levels

Welcome to The Edinburgh School of Icon Painting!

We offer a range of courses, workshops, and one-on-one consultations for students from all levels. Drop us a message to book in a virtual session.

Bring this prayerful practise into your life

Icon Painting Course for Beginners with live demonstrations. ONLINE

Discover the fascinating art of Icon Painting in our online course for beginners! Join us for weekly live demonstrations and step-by-step guidance to create your own stunning icon.

This 2-hour weekly class is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to refresh their skills. With our expert guidance, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the entire process and create a beautiful piece of art you can be proud of. Our course includes demonstrations of every stage, so you’ll be able to master each step with ease. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn a new skill and create a stunning masterpiece. Enroll now in our popular course and unleash your creativity!

The course will include demonstrations of every stage of creating an icon.

Secure your space today.

Starting 19 January 2025

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What will you learn?

Our offer

Monday classes are perfect for students who want to incorporate Icon Painting into their regular practice. Or those who prefer slower-paced work. You will receive support from your teacher, but also from the community of other icon painters. You will have the opportunity to exchange your ideas and experiences. You will become part of a vibrant arts and crafts community.

You will be encouraged to experiment with the technique and color.

Tradition is something dynamic, and it is still moving and changing.

Your ideas and contemporary approach are both welcome.

You will still learn the basics of the technique and traditional styles of icon painting. Which include:

Monday Classes

OR

We take a lunch break together which gives us a chance to get to know each other.

Cost £300 for 5 full days (10 half days). 

Monday Classes (Online)

Cost £200 for 5 sessions. On Zoom

Students will be guided through the initial stages of creating an icon. With a brief introduction to iconography, students will explore the technique off egg tempera. Learn to make egg yolk binding medium and mix paints using dry pigments.

All paintings will be created on mdf panels covered with thin layers of gesso.

Students who decide to book only one weekend will learn the basic principles of the technique:

Weekend workshopS

Sessions 2023/24

Cost £200 for 1 weekend

This 4 day intensive workshop is designed for students of all abilities, no previous experience is required. The aim of the course is to help you understand the tradition of icon painting through studying masterpieces, and through their inspiration to create your own icon.

Over 4 days of intensive work, students will go through all stages of icon painting, which will be an excellent introduction and experience for using the egg tempera technique.

Stages of work include:

  1. Sketching and designing. Students can use images of icons provided as inspiration, or simply alter an original image slightly. Students are encouraged to be creative and listen to their instincts.
  2. Transfer of finished drawings onto a panel covered with layers of gesso. Panels are provided and ready for students to use, as it takes at least 2 days to prepare them. (It is possible to have additional tuition on making panels on a request).
  3. Redrawing with paint. Students will learn how to make paints using egg yolk and dry pigments.
  4. Once all surfaces are covered with enough layers of ground, we can start building shapes using lights. In icon painting, we don’t build shapes with shadows.
  5. Gilding – for students who would like to try Gilding. We would normally cover small surfaces using schlagmetal leaf, which is not a real gold leaf. It is an excellent method for beginners, as gold leaf is extremely thin and difficult to work with. We will use oil gilding.
  6. Applying final lights and highlights. Finishing.
  7. It is recommended to wait at least a few weeks before varnishing the finished icon painted in egg tempera. Students are welcome to arrange a time and date to return and varnish their paintings.

Intensive course - 4 days

Cost £310

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