The Icon is more than a religious art. It is a theological art that is part of the Tradition of the Church.

Materials used in the writing of an Icon include: wood board, linen or cotton cloth glued to the board, gesso (made from marble dust, chalk and hide glue), clay, gold leaf, pigments and egg yolk. Iconographers also use acrylic pigments and oil paints. Acrylic gesso and pressed wood or plywood is often used to replace the traditional materials.

While the technical aspect is not the essence of the Icon, it should not be under estimated.

There are many steps in the process of writing an Icon. Some iconologists identify as many as 22 steps. Each step has historical, technical, theological and spiritual aspects. Because there are a number of excellent web sites (see Links for some of them) and books available that present all of this material in depth, this page will not attempt to duplicate the stages, merely post photos of different stages. Throughout the writing of an Icon, an attitude of prayer and contemplation on the part of the iconographer is essential to bringing the image of the sacred to light.

Breaking the egg

Separating the yolk	Cutting open the yolk

Cartoon or pattern on paper

"Cartoon" - completed drawing of the icon on paper

Burnishing the gold leaf (red clay covers areas to be covered with gold leaf (below right))

Tracing and etching the Icon on to the gesso

Traced drawing on the board is etched so that it stays visible under coatings of color

Red circling the nimbus
Roskrish, first layer of pigment

Icon in the "roskrish" phase

Etched drawings are outlined with black or some other pigment
1st highlight --approximately 3 separate layers of highlights are applied

First highlights

1st float--each highlight is floated with a watery pigment that brings out the underlying highlights
and pigments
Lines are repainted with appropriate colors
Ozhivki, final highlights, yellow-white life giving lines are applied
White line around nimbus
Icon is named--naming of the icon makes the work an Icon
Olipha finish--anointing of the Icon with linseed oil.
Church Blessing--the union of the Image with the Prototype
Contemplation throughout the entire writing

Click here to see this icon finished!

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