Blog entry

No more "writing" Icons, we paint them!

Writers write, but painters -who are not that articulate (in fact most of us have a problem expressing ourselves verbally and that is why we resort in painting pictures in the first place) paint.

March 30, 2021

how to make byzantine icons

Kampos, the icon''s background and other technicalities

Kampos, (literally translated as field, or valley n Greek), is the technical term (in the same language) for the background of a byzantine icon-

IWe are acquaintyed with images with Saintis floating in a timeless, golden background. Gold does not only represent the saints splendor and enlightment- It also may signify the timeless, and "spaceless' Another dimention in which the Saint or the divine figure is transferred to and is calling us in

March 5, 2021

how to make byzantine icons

Thin on thick, cold on warm- Color layers in egg tempera

Like in the icon of St Thaney in the picture the "antithesis" is one of the basics of the eggtempera. In the first layer we start with thick color, to create a solid foundation and continue with thinner and thinner (by saying thin we mean the quantity of the egg medium that is mixed with powder pigments) layers where light penetratesand the different layers interact with each othe creatibf a totally new color

February 20, 2020

Wax on, wax off - Varnishing an icon with bee's wax

One of the most traditional varnishes is the a mixture of white beeswax with pure turpentine - the one that we call in Greece "keronefto"

The best part of using this material, it the way by which the natural varnish is gets absorbed by the painting*,. The short video displays the polishing, the soft, slow and rythmic circular movement with a pure coton cloth. Exactly like :

"Wax on, wax off"

February 5, 2020

how to make byzantine icons

The simplest way to prepare the egg medium (for egg tempera)

Here's the simplest (and most amateurish) but efficient :) way to prepare your egg medium:

You will need:

An Egg yolk, equal quantity of vinegar, a plastic mesh strainer, two glasses, and a container to store the liquid

Put the egg yolk and then the equivalent amount of vinegar in the plastic glass (with a couple of droplets of water) mix them well and afterwards transfer them in the other glass, through the plastic mesh strainer in order to filter the yolk sack.

October 23, 2019

Color Red; colouring the garments of Mary Magdalene

Why red and what type of red when it comes to the garments of St Mary Magdalene?

To highlight theelement of wealth and nobility* in the woman which, when freed from evil spirits , followed and supported materially Jesus throughout His teaching along with other women (named Holy Myrrh-bearers in the Orthodox Church), risked and gave everything for Him and rewarded by being the first to Witness His resurrection.

And I believe that is the same element we highlight by painting martyrs in red- The element of nobility, acquired not by heritage but by their virtues and their suffering.

November 1, 2018

how to make byzantine icons

Painting all angels- Theory behind Sinaxis (assembly) of the 9 orders icon

The icon depicts the moment where Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God (and drew a part of the angels with him). At this moment Archangel Michael stood up and cried out before the faithful angels:

October 14, 2018