Four-Week Iconography Workshop
Immerse yourself in the sacred art of Byzantine iconography with our 4-Week Iconography Workshop at Marina’s Chorochronos Studio. This immersive program is meticulously structured to guide participants through the profound layers of icon painting, from historical contexts to advanced artistic techniques. Engage with the spiritual and artistic complexities of iconography, learning to create icons that resonate with theological depth and aesthetic beauty. With an emphasis on personal guidance and practice, this course is tailored for those committed to mastering the craft and embedding it into their spiritual or professional life. Each week builds upon the last, culminating in the creation of personal icon projects that reflect both learned techniques and individual insights. Perfect for artists and devotees passionate about deepening their practice in iconography, this course offers a transformative blend of learning, creation, and reflection.
Week 1: Foundations of Iconography
- Days 1-2: Introduction to the theology and history behind Byzantine iconography, understanding the icon’s role in worship and meditation.
- Days 3-4: Study of traditional iconographic styles and figures, learning to “read” icons and their symbolism.
- Day 5: Introduction to materials (natural pigments, gold leaf, wooden panels) and preparation techniques.
Week 2: Techniques and Application
- Days 6-7: Sketching and transferring compositions onto panels, emphasizing the canonical proportions of sacred figures.
- Days 8-9: Egg tempera mixing and application, practicing the unique method of layering and blending.
- Day 10: Gold leaf application techniques and exploring its symbolic significance.
Week 3: Deepening Skills and Complexity
- Days 11-12: Advanced painting techniques, focusing on facial expressions, garments, and intricate details to convey the spiritual depth of the icon.
- Days 13-14: Exploration of complex icon compositions, including festal and narrative icons that depict biblical stories and theological concepts.
Week 4: Personal Projects and Mastery
- Days 15-17: Each participant begins a personal icon project, applying learned techniques under the guidance of the instructor.
- Days 18-19: Continued work on personal projects, with individual critiques and adjustments.
- Day 20: Advanced varnishing techniques and final preservation of icons for durability.
- Days 21-22: Final touches to personal icons, preparing for presentation.
- Day 23-24: Presentation of personal projects, group critique, and reflection on the spiritual and artistic journey. Discussion on the continuation of iconographic practice beyond the course.