The Bible NETWork ~ Impacting the World for Christ one post at a time!

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

_________________
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.

You are welcome!
There is lot of material on this topic online. You just have to know what are right phrases to search.

_________________
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.

Oh my goodness, I LOVE Byzantine icons!!!!!!!!

_________________
Lisa's here!!!