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PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:36 pm 
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Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:27 pm
Posts: 2
Faith: Christian
Ecclesiology/Denomination: Eastern Orthodox
Name of your church: Serbian Orthodox Church
Hello!

My name is Noak, and I am painter of Byzantine Orthodox Icons. Since lot of people are interested to paint icons, but they are not sure how, I will try to explain this very old technique.

For those who are not familiar with Byzantine art and icons:
Orthodox icons on Wikipedia Icon or Orthodox icons - simply, but good explanation

Iconpainter start with a panel of lime wood that is cut to size. Then a piece of gauze or other cotton is glued with rabbit skin glue to iconboard and dried for a few days. Next and very important step is to prepare quality leukas (plaster) from rabbit skin glue and chalk. Many layers of this plaster are applied to the board over cloth. When this is finished we smooth the surface with a piece of sandpaper.
Once the surface of our board is ready, we can proceed with drawing of our Orthodox Icon. The shetch is first prepared on the piece of paper and then we tranfer it to the board contours. The surface of our icon now can be gilded with gold leaves. First we apply a few coats of reddish pigment and then the glue of gold, which is known as mikstion (or mixtion). After a waiting period (not more than 24 hours) golden leaves are applied and allowed to dry.
Painting of the icon is next step. To do this, iconpainters use egg tempera which is mixture of egg yolk and natural pigments. The colours are applied in several coats with subtle shades in order to achieve the effect of "otherworldliness" which is typical of Orthodox icons. Natural pigments are very permanent colours, deeper and deeper and brighter with the passage time.
Once we complete painting of our Orthodox Icons, we add on them hallo and inscriptions. The last step is to protect our icon with several coats of varnish.
This is very old method of iconography and requires great precision and care, and constant prayer and humility of the artist.

Sure, it is always better to see how all this works, so here is an good video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg2jDwWxG4U

IF you have any questions about icon painting, feel free to ask :)


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:39 pm 
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Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:41 am
Posts: 1328
Faith: Christian
Ecclesiology/Denomination: Catholic
Name of your church: Catholic Church
Hi Noak, thanks for the links :)

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The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:52 pm 
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Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:27 pm
Posts: 2
Faith: Christian
Ecclesiology/Denomination: Eastern Orthodox
Name of your church: Serbian Orthodox Church
You are welcome! :)
There is lot of material on this topic online. You just have to know what are right phrases to search.


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:42 pm 
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Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:41 am
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Faith: Christian
Ecclesiology/Denomination: Catholic
Name of your church: Catholic Church
I am rather fond of icons. I've heard them described as windows looking into heaven. Thanks again.

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The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:49 pm 
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Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 6:25 pm
Posts: 37
Location: Tampa Bay Area of FL
Faith: Christian
Ecclesiology/Denomination: Non-denominational
Name of your church: Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg
Oh my goodness, I LOVE Byzantine icons!!!!!!!!

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