Iconography a brief Synopsis by Cheryll Kinsley Potter

Dating back to the Byzantine Empire around 200 AD Iconography or Εικών Γράφειν (image writing) was said to be the depiction of saints and the holy family as real representations, handed down through the centuries “without deviation from the original”. In the Eastern Orthodox Religion, St Luke is said to have been the first Iconographer, a Disciple and therefore having a visual memory of the subject. He has become the Patron Saint of Artists.

Gesso

The board is first gessoed with a paste made from Rabbit's Skin Glue and Whiting, then applied in 10 thin layers. It is sanded with very fine sandpaper until it has a silk like finish. This process takes 3 Days.

Tracing

The image is carefully traced “without deviation” then the part to be gilded is transferred to the board with Graphite Transfer Paper.

Gilding

There are two methods, Oil Gilding and Water Gilding. When first learning , Oil Gilding is the simpler of the two. Using a Gold Size painted into the area to be gilded, sheets of Transfer Gold are then applied by pressing down and gently peeling back.

For Iconography courses held in the Studio, Water Gilding is usualy taught over a weekend with the aid of a visiting Gilder, Sue Viner.

Egg Tempera Painting

An emulsion is made with the Yolk of an Egg and Red Wine Vinegar and when this is mixed with purified water, it becomes the Painting Medium. It is mixed in very small quantities with pure pigments.The 'writing' of an Icon has a very specific order of painting, working in layers from base colours and from dark to light.The largest brush size that is ever used is a 4. Most of the painting is done with a size 0, then 00, 000, and even 0000! The features of the face and the folds of the cloth must be painted in sequence in the same way that it always has been done "from the original"
See details of Cheryll's Iconography Courses.