As part of our Lent Project this year we are holding icon painting classes on Wednesday afternoons between 1pm and 3pm. No experience is necessary and all materials will be provided. Outlined below is a brief discription of what we will be attempting over the six weeks of Lent.

Once the icon picture has been chosen the plain board or canvan is prepared with several layers of pure white acrylic paint. When completely dry the basic figure is drawn or traced onto the board or canvas.

The background of gold leaf paint is then applied to the icon. Several layers may be needed to obtain a smooth finish.

The darkest robe colour is now painted in. We are using acrylic paints instead of traditional pigment. The colour should be applied thinly and in several layers to give depth to the icon.

A number of basic colours should be mixed together to achieve the right color match with the original icon being copied.

The next lighter shade of colour is added to the garment. Again this should be thinly applied to the icon in several layers.

The next largest area of colour is now added. The first halo and undergarments are also completed.

Lighter colours and more detailed fabric lines are now added.

Final clothing colours are now added together with some more gold detail and the second halo. The darker olive brown skin colour is also added to the hands and faces of the icon.

Facial details are now applied.

Once the lettering and final features are added to face and hands the figures are outlined in black. The final gold detail together with the red edging is also added. When completely dry the icon is sealed with 2 or 3 coats of varnish.

Below are some of the finished icons that the group have been working on.

Page last updated 30.08.09 © S Giles Aintree 2009