Description
Beginning Level I
Students will prayerfully transform a blank gessoed icon board to the Holy Mandylion, or Holy Face of Christ on the Cloth. This class is open to anyone with no art training required. Learn to write an icon in the ancient technique of egg tempera, the icon’s history, how to make egg emulsion, mix your own pigments, various methods of painting in the egg tempera medium, brush and line techniques, and gilding with 23.75 kt gold leaf – all offered in a contemplative environment at our studio on the campus of St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Skills You Will Learn
Learn to write an icon in the ancient technique of egg tempera by acquiring these skills:
- learning about the language of Byzantine iconography,
- how to make egg emulsion,
- how to mix your own pigments,
- how to prepare the icon board
- how to transfer the image
- various methods of applying the egg tempera medium,
- multiple styles of brush and line techniques,
- gilding with 23.75 kt gold leaf
Offered in a Contemplative Environment Conducive to Prayer
Gild and paint while learning the theology of the icon in a quiet, contemplative environment conducive to meditative prayer.
Fine Art-Museum Quality Supplies
You will learn one of the world’s most ancient techniques of painting with historic pigments made from natural earth and ground minerals sourced from Zecchi’s Colori Belle Arti in Florence, Italy, the location of a pigment purveyor since the 1300s. Zecchi’s supplies the Uffizi with the very same pigments we provide you, to conserve the world’s masterpieces.
To learn more about the traditional method of egg tempera, click here to take a look at this brief summary.
The Week’s Schedule
Dates: August 3-7, 2026
M-TH: this special one week intensive course meets Monday through Thursday beginning with the 8:15am Mass until 5:00pm.
F: Friday’s class begins with the Mass at 8:15am and typically ends around noon with the blessing of the icons and farewell celebration.
Encouragement From a Student
I learned in Beginning Iconography, taught by the great instructors at the Classical Iconography Institute, that iconography is a visual language that draws me deeper into my prayer life. The gift of seeing that I could learn to draw changed a belief that I had from childhood about art. When we write icons, we write prayers. ~ Lesley
Register by July 20, 2026
This residential iconography intensive does not include meals, lodging and transportation.
Class is limited to 10 students.
Click here for supply list
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