Intensive Icon Painting Course - 5 Days

The fascinating and ancient art form of icon painting is a contemplative practice that allows you to find tranquillity and stillness in a world that is often busy and noisy.

Step into a warm and cosy art studio in Edinburgh to discover your inner artist and loose yourself in creativity as you try icon painting in this five-day course! Your skilled and talented teacher will encourage you and support you every step of the way.

Here, there are no limits to what you can accomplish, and the Edinburgh School of Icon painting believe everyone can be creative. No experience is required and all abilities are welcome to join in the fun as you learn the tradition of icon painting.

Study existing masterpieces and find inspiration for creating your very own icon! Go through every stage over five painting classes and experience the egg tempera technique!

The stages of this icon painting course
One: Sketching and designing. You will use images of icons provided or alter one of the examples as an inspiration to plan out your own icon. Be creative and listen to your instincts!

Two: Transferring finished drawings onto a panel covered with layers of gesso. As it takes two days to prepare panels, they will be provided and ready to use. You can request additional tuition to learn this panel-making process.

Three: Redrawing with paint. At this stage, you will learn how to make paints using egg yolk and dry pigments.

Four: Once all surfaces are covered with enough layers of ground, we can start building shapes using lights. In icon painting, we don’t build shapes with shadows.

Five: Oil gilding. We would normally cover small surfaces using schlagmetal leaves, which is not real gold leaf. It is an excellent method for beginners, as the gold leaf is extremely thin and difficult to work with.

Six: Applying final lights and highlights and finishing your artwork.

Please note: It is recommended to wait at least a few weeks before varnishing the finished icon painted in egg tempera. Students are welcome to arrange a time and date to return and varnish their paintings.

This class series runs over 5 consecutive days.