Exploring Icon Painting

Open to all adults – no experience required.

The theme of this introductory icon painting workshop will be the quirky and fascinating saints who literally lived the high life – atop a pillar or in a tree. We explore the extraordinary legends surrounding of the 4th and 5th century Stylite and Dendrite saints of Syria and Greece to unpack the making and meaning their unusual Byzantine and Slavic images.

Using a combination of modern and traditional mixed media, we will create our own icons, according to a simplified, but authentic medieval panel painting process. Previous painting or drawing experience is not absolutely necessary for this entry level course as individual support and group guidance will be given for each stage.

– Building an understanding of traditional iconography, icon designs/patterns
– Introductory gilding skills (using imitation gold leaf)
– Mixing natural earth and mineral pigments
– Understanding emulsions and binders- Developing foundational skills in a suite of classic egg tempera painting techniques: petit-lac, blending, dry brushing, glazing and delineation
– Perfecting painted detail
– Understanding a sequential making process
– Contextualised art historical understanding

Materials
Provided as part of the workshop:
– Pre-prepared icon boards (medium size), Gilding materials, pigments and painting equipment
– Patterns, prints, information handouts
– Miscellaneous kit

It would be useful to bring with you a cover-up/apron

Tutor
Helen Dejean

Date
Saturday & Sunday, 3 & 4 February 2024, 9.30am-4.30pm