Iconography

The art of Iconography is the visible manifestation of aspect of the Holy Tradition of the Church. Thus, an authentic icon must employ only traditional methods and materials.

Egg tempera is the medium known from the early years of Christian Art for over 1500 years and remains the most common medium in iconography. According to ancient manuscripts like “On Divers Arts” by Theophilus, powdered pigments mixed with egg yolk, water, and some white vine vinegar. The pigments I use are derived from various sources – mostly they are semiprecious stones and minerals like Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Hematite, colored clays and earths – Ocher, Sienna, and Umber, etc. I grind them to a very fine powder using a heavy granite muller and mix the colored paste with egg yolk

The paint is then applied over specially prepared solid wood panels, covered with seven or eight layers of white ground (also called gesso) consisting of marble dust and animal glue. Properly prepared gesso looks and feels like solid stone which will never crack or peel off.

When gold leaf is used to paint an icon, I use 23 karats gold leaf for the background. This gold leaf is highly polished by special instruments. Completed icons are then covered with specially formulated varnish, which protects it from dust and humidity.

Usually, the process of painting an icon takes from three days to two weeks. Very detailed icons of larger size will take longer.

For more information or to place an order, please, contact me.