Byzantine Iconography Course
The Program Focus
This unique program offers exclusive individual sessions in person, dedicated to mastering the technical skills, historical, and spiritual depth of Byzantine iconography.
Questions You Will Answer
Secrets of the Masters
What are the secrets known only to professional icon painters and experienced restorers? We explore the composition of iconography and how the shimmering, vibrant colors are created.
Flawless Glazing Technique
How is the complex technique of Egg Tempera Glazing flawlessly executed?
Mastery of Line and Form
How to create perfect lines with a single brush stroke and draw an ideal circle with a brush? How is the volume of drapery and the mass of folds created in the clothing of iconographic figures?
The Art of Faces and Gilding
How are the faces of the saints painted so they appear to come alive in dim light and by candlelight? How to cover the icon with genuine gold leaf, and how to create fine folds and patterns with gold?
Program Content and Technical Mastery
Foundational Freehand Drawing
The core of this program is the mastery of freehand drawing without stencils or projectors. You will learn to construct the human body from scratch: from the anatomy of hands and feet to diverse portraits of infants, adults, and the elderly including features like beards and baldness. We cover everything from the nude form to detailed clothing, footwear, and jewelry. This is the essential basis of the Byzantine program; mastering these fundamentals is required before transitioning to color painting to ensure the integrity of your artistic development.
Painting Techniques and Materials
You will master multi-layer glazing and underpainting techniques. You will thoroughly study pigments, water-based paints, and Egg Tempera. You will master the correct technique for working with brushes and the maulstick.
Schools and Traditions
You will explore various iconographic traditions: Proto-Byzantine technique, Fayum portraits and Roman Painting. Iconography Schools Roman, Cretan, Russian, Macedonian and Coptic.
Artistic and Philosophical Heritage
The iconography course is a deep immersion into ancient art and the techniques of old masters, offering a powerful foundation for any artist. Iconography is an art where every element such as color, gesture, and pose is a symbol conveying metaphysical meaning. You will learn to read and create this complex visual language, developing the ability for conceptual and narrative painting. Mastering iconographic drawing, symbolism, egg tempera glazing, and gilding provides a durable, high-quality technical base for creating works in both traditional and unique modern contexts.
Course Duration and Individual Pace
The full curriculum is structured as a comprehensive path of 40 double sessions or 80 academic hours, which includes the student's essential self-work. However, as these are private individual sessions, the total time required to master the material is flexible; it adapts entirely to your personal progress, artistic background, and the time you dedicate to practice. There are no rigid deadlines and no grades; the focus is exclusively on your individual mastery of the craft and the quality of your artistic development.
Format and Logistics
The training is conducted as private individual sessions with the teacher traveling to the student's studio or home, for maximum comfort and efficiency. You choose your package of 1, 5, or 10 lessons and can repeat the purchase as needed. Note that all necessary materials and equipment are not included in the session cost. Lessons are conducted in Basel, Basel-Landschaft, and bordering suburbs of Germany and France.
Program Content and Technical Mastery
Foundational Freehand Drawing
The core of this program is the mastery of freehand drawing without stencils or projectors. You will learn to construct the human body from scratch: from the anatomy of hands and feet to diverse portraits of infants, adults, and the elderly including features like beards and baldness. We cover everything from the nude form to detailed clothing, footwear, and jewelry. This is the essential basis of the Byzantine program; mastering these fundamentals is required before transitioning to color painting to ensure the integrity of your artistic development.
Painting Techniques and Materials
You will master multi-layer glazing and underpainting techniques. You will thoroughly study pigments, water-based paints, and Egg Tempera. You will master the correct technique for working with brushes and the maulstick.
Schools and Traditions
You will explore various iconographic traditions: Proto-Byzantine technique, Fayum portraits and Roman Painting. Iconography Schools Roman, Cretan, Russian, Macedonian and Coptic.
Artistic and Philosophical Heritage
The iconography course is a deep immersion into ancient art and the techniques of old masters, offering a powerful foundation for any artist. Iconography is an art where every element such as color, gesture, and pose is a symbol conveying metaphysical meaning. You will learn to read and create this complex visual language, developing the ability for conceptual and narrative painting. Mastering iconographic drawing, symbolism, egg tempera glazing, and gilding provides a durable, high-quality technical base for creating works in both traditional and unique modern contexts.
Course Duration and Individual Pace
The full curriculum is structured as a comprehensive path of 40 double sessions or 80 academic hours, which includes the student's essential self-work. However, as these are private individual sessions, the total time required to master the material is flexible; it adapts entirely to your personal progress, artistic background, and the time you dedicate to practice. There are no rigid deadlines and no grades; the focus is exclusively on your individual mastery of the craft and the quality of your artistic development.
Format and Logistics
The training is conducted as private individual sessions with the teacher traveling to the student's studio or home, for maximum comfort and efficiency. You choose your package of 1, 5, or 10 lessons and can repeat the purchase as needed. Note that all necessary materials and equipment are not included in the session cost. Lessons are conducted in Basel, Basel-Landschaft, and bordering suburbs of Germany and France.
Jesus Christ Pontocrator. Egg Tempera and 24 Karat Gold on Primed Wood Panel. Artist: Ilya Medvedev
