With flexible options, you can design the best program that meets your needs and makes you comfortable. In the friendly and cozy atmosphere of the small art studio, you can forget about everyday troubles and lose yourself in creativity. Icon painting is a contemplative practice. It helps find stillness and silence in this very fast and noisy world. There are no limits to what you can achieve here. As a teacher, I believe we can all be creative and create. We simply need a welcoming, accepting, and encouraging environment. If you have no experience in any art, you are welcome to join one of the courses or classes. If you are experienced or have some experience, you can learn a new technique and find new ways to grow as an artist.
Cost £320
This 4-day intensive workshop is designed for students of all abilities, no previous experience is required. The course aims 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 an inspiration, or simply alter an original image slightly. Students are encouraged to be creative and listen to their instincts.
2. Transferring 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. At this stage, 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 leaves, which is not a real gold leaf. It is an excellent method for beginners, as the 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.
