Tag: Catholic Icons

“Unveiling the Secrets of Medieval Icon Painting”

There are so many exciting principles we modern icon painters can learn from medieval icons. The secrets of Sacred geometry and painting are profound, but no less important are the concepts behind medieval iconographic paint application.

St, Nicetas with Deesis and Selected Saints, 15th Century

The simplest statement that icon painting is the consecutive application of layers of colored paint applied on the white surface of a wood board that is primed with gesso- white chalk and animal glue.

This notion of “consecutive layers of paint” is a hallmark of medieval painting because beginning with the Renaissance and the use of oil painting, the Renaissance painter used modeling- application of shadows- thereby obviating the need for the consecutive layers to achieve a modeling effect of figures and shapes.

Holy Trinity Icon by Andrei Rublev

Icon painters can use a few layers, or many, depending on the time available and the effects needed. Although early Christian artists used encaustic (wax) as their painting medium, from the ninth century onward, egg tempera was the medium icon painters used, almost exclusively.Egg Tempera

Egg Tempera

Egg tempera painting consists of painting with dry powdered pigment using egg emulsion as the binder to cause adhesion of pigment to the gessoed surface area. This dry powder was often found in soil and stones finely ground as well as in some plants, roots and insects that could be boiled or pressed to release specific colors.

“Of crucial importance are the choice of the right pigments, the ability to mix them properly, and the application of each consecutive layer when the one below it is quite dry so that the fresh, wet paint does not mix with it.”  A. Yakovleva, “A History of Icon Painting”.

Which Pigments were used in Early Icons?

Studies show that vermillion, red ochre and lead red were the reds commonly used by early iconographers.  Light yellow ochre, yellow sienna, lead tin yellow, and auripigment were the yellow pigments used, natural ultramarine (obtained from azurite) and indigo for blue, malachite and glauconite for greens, charcoal for black, lead white, umber, hematite were the browns and various ochres depending on what was naturally available.

Christ Pantocrator Icon, Svanetia, 13th Century

Three Ways of Mixing Colors

I find it so interesting that the three ways that medieval iconographers mixed their colors could have such a significant effect on the final results of their work.  The first method of mixing colors was simply to mix a powdered pigment with the egg emulsion. (egg emulsion is usually the yolk of an egg mixed with a small amount of water, and a very small amount of vinegar or alcohol as a preservative.) Some of the pigments lent themselves to being ground to a fine powder, but others could only be ground to larger crystals and this variety of textures was put to good use in the third method.

The second method of color mixing is called optical mixing.  This consists of relying on the different color layers to mix optically. This is achieved when rays of light hit the surface, they penetrate through the layers of color and reflect back the impression that it is one color when in reality it is the combination of all the color layers together.  This gives the viewer a very rich viewing experience and is what allows the icons to have a jewel like appearance.  Egg tempera excels at being able to deliver this effect.  For this to happen, the artist needs to apply the layers very thinly in order for this imperceptible color mixing to occur.

The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, 13th Century. Georgia

The third method employs the use of the rougher pigments with larger particles to be mixed for the lower layer of the icon.  This allows for subsequent layers to settle into the lower layer in irregular and interesting ways.  This method unites the upper layers and lower layers of color, allowing for the appearance of visual harmony.  A combination of all three methods is used by the experienced iconographer.

I hope this explanation of medieval color mixing has been helpful.  Sometimes we need to go back to basics and understand nuances in order to achieve the results we want in our icons. If you would like to pursue the topic further, here is some reading you may appreciate:

“A History of Icon Painting”, L. Evseyeva, Moscow Publishing but available on Amazon

“The Materials and Techniques of Medieval Painting” Daniel V. Thompson, Dover Publishing

Interesting Links For Iconographers:

These are from Dorothy Alexander, an Iconographer in California!:

  • A gold sale? Yes, this is very rare because of a factory overrun on 22kt loose leaf gold and continues through 8/31/23 only. Use the code: SUMMER23 when you check-out. I ordered from them before; for this sale I purchased the 22 kt loose leaf gold (which I use for backgrounds) and it shipped quickly. Here is their website: https://www.goldenleafproducts.com/order-22k-gold-leaf.html    (THIS LINK WAS MORE THAN A MONTH AGO, SO NOT SURE IF THE SALE IS STILL GOING ON BUT THEY ARE GOOD GOLD SUPPLIERS)
  • Russian iconographers in a Greek monastery in California – this article (https://orthochristian.com/113398.html) takes you to the Life-Giving Spring Monastery in Dunlap, CA. It is a very interesting description of the lives and work of iconographers.
  • My Next Online Icon Writing Class is specially prepared for celebrating Advent where we will be painting an icon of the Nativity. Dec 5-8 on Zoom, each session is recorded for playback.   Read more here.

That’s all for this month.  Icon writing is a commitment to a life of prayer, study, and blessing the community with our work.  May you all be blessed and guided by the hand of God.  Our work is even more important especially in these difficult times.

“O Almighty God, kindle, we beseech Thee, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with thy wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility they dominion may increase till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ out Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, amen.”  A Collect for Peace from the Book of Common Prayer.

Blessings,

Christine Hales

Newchristianicons.com

An American School of Iconography

Greetings Fellow Iconographers:

Last Supper, School of A. Rublev
Last Supper, School of A. Rublev

This month I wanted to write about the idea of an American School of Iconographers.  Not a brick and mortar school, but a school in the Benedictine sense of a community of people who share values, beliefs, and common goals.  A school of people  who desire to learn from and support each other in the goal of painting Icons would , ideally, be comprised of diversity as well as commonality.

One of the tenets in the Iconographer’s Rules  that we all learn when starting to write Icons is “Never forget the joy of spreading icons throughout the world.”  Although Icon painting is often a solitary process, joining together in classes can help combat the undesirable effects of isolation and promote growth and learning.

Mother of God Hodegitria
Mother of God Hodegitria

Recently, during the stay at- home -order due to the corona virus, several online Icon classes have sprung up, and I suspect that we will see a lot more of these in the future. Will these replace the onsite icon classes taught by iconographers at colleges and monasteries?  No.  Live, in-person classes provide an opportunity for feedback, practice, and personal remedial direction, and that works hand in hand with on line classes at other times during the year.  The on line classes provide an ongoing way to practice drawing and painting that make the in person classes a valuable source of individual instruction.

Writing Icons is no simple task, as most of you have discovered.  Initially, a novice Iconographer is encouraged to copy Icons from before the sixteenth century.  This usually involves tracing the Icon, then transferring the image to a board and painting.  However, after a few years of this kind of practice, one can move on to learning to draw iconographically.  Drawing icons freehand, and learning the basics of sacred geometry composition are tasks for intermediate level iconographers.  Color theory comes next, along with practice, practice, practice.  It’s good to practice on watercolor paper, do studies, learn how to draw garments, and hands.  Then, drawing the face, understanding dynamic symmetry and theology of icons are tasks for advanced Icon classes.

Seraphim Drawing
Seraphim Drawing

There’s always so much to learn and it’s exciting to have such rich subject matter to explore.  When you add all this to the joy of growing closer to God through prayer, contemplation, and icon writing you have an absorbing and life giving practice.

Nun Juliana, Saint Peter Drawing
Nun Juliana, Saint Peter Drawing

Being an active member of a Church and faith community is essential to writing icons also.  Since God, theology and art are so intertwined in this process, it is important to have a spiritual director with whom to ponder and question how God wants to use this art form through your work.  Iconographers need to have an active prayer life and understand how Icons are used in contemplation and liturgy.

Nun Juliana Icon
Nun Juliana Icon

The American Association of Iconographers is a free association of Iconographers who share a common desire to be supportive to each other and grow in faith and icon writing.  We have a Face Book Group ( just search for American Association of Iconographers on Face Book) which you can join.  Anyone who is a member can post their ideas, questions, useful links, etc.  Because it is an Ecumenical group, we practice acceptance of both Orthodox and non Orthodox Iconography.  We usually don’t publicize or promote individual Iconographers’ classes, but instructional video links are acceptable for posting.

It Takes Time to Develop

There have been many developments and changes to the world, as well as to the world of Iconography over the last twenty years.  Similarly, it will take time to develop characteristics, attributes, and a standard for excellence in this field.

It will be helpful to see visual examples and hear of other Iconographers’ experiences in their locations regarding community, learning, creating a standard for quality and relevance.   Perhaps in the future we could have a virtual conference or series of meetings to discuss these topics.  Also, writing blogs for this group can be a way to share experience and perspective.

So far, the guiding principles are: The creation of a spiritually healthy, ecumenical, support group that promotes the practice of Icon sharing, learning, and promoting the love of Icons that can provide direction and possibly regulate a  set of guidelines for future Iconographers.

Please feel free to use the contact form below with suggestions, ideas, and possible submissions for blog posts.

May God continue to bless you in all that you say and do,

Christine Hales

New Christian Icons.com

 

 

Easter Blessings!

Easter Blessings!

Stations of the Cross, Station Five, written by Iconographer Christine Hales
Stations of the Cross, Station Five, written by Christine Hales

This Easter particularly brings to mind the need for unity amongst all the Christian denominations.

“Icons are intended to respond to deep questions, and every age has its own set of problems that trouble the heart.” Windows to Heaven, Zelensky and Gilbert.

The Twenty First Century is witness to the dire need of Christians to join together and celebrate the common elements of their faith.  It is time to stop celebrating theological divisions.  Unity and harmony are the true state of the Triune God.

Facing statistics of the staggering lack of

Lily photograph by Mick Hales
Lily photograph by Mick Hales

Christians in the North East of the United States, as well as the continuous rise of Islam, if Christianity is to survive- and it will- the need to respect and love each other’s differences in service to unity is imperative.

Maximus the Confessor (600AD) writes of the Holy Trinity “ It is in this blessed and most sacred peace that unity is achieved which surpasses the mind and reason.”

Aidan Hart, in his book Beauty, Spirit, Matter; Icons in the Modern World, writes :

“Since it is love which unites the world and brings it to fulfillment we can expect that the world’s Fall has been preceded by a loss of love, or at least by a misdirection of love. And indeed, St Maximus speaks of the Fall in terms of a falling away from the double command of love; love of God and love of one’s neighbor.”

Crucifixion Icon written by Christine Hales
Crucifixion Icon written by Christine Hales

 

As we prepare to celebrate the glorious truth of the Resurrection, consider the crucifixion Icon.   It tells the New Testament story that includes the women mourning and watching, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons Zebedee. Also in the Icon is the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side.  He is cowering. In the top third of the Icon are the angels prophesied by Jesus in John 1:51:

“Truly, truly I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God Ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Even in this sad scene, we see the golden light of God and hope permeating the background.  The angels are pointing to fulfillment of the prophecy.

As a result of Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and redemption and the Holy Spirit’s visitation at Pentecost… “the universe has become one vast church or temple, reflecting the beauty of the Lord, bringing for all human kind the universal message of salvation.” Zelensky and Gilbert.

Holy Face of Christ Icon written by Christine Hales
Holy Face of Christ Icon written by Christine Hales

Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians are united in our love and reverence for the inestimable love of a God who would send His only Son to die for our sins.  That we may be the inheritors of His love for us, and bring HIs love to our world that is in such need of it.

May God bless you all this Easter,

Christine

Website

 

The Worldview of an Iconographer

What is a worldview?  We all have one.  Our culture has a pervading worldview that changes with the times.  Having recently emerged from a postmodernist cultural viewpoint, we now experience the effects of pluralism, relativism, and syncretism in the world around us.

This is a new Icon of God Creator of the Universe by Master Iconographer Christine Hales
God, Creator of the Universe by Christine Hales

Our world view is a concept which we hold, both consciously and unconsciously  that determines our ethics, behavior, and makes up the nature of our ultimate reality.

As a Christian, our worldview is identified with the truths of  the Bible, Christ, the Trinity, and the Gospel- essentially, Christian theism.   The reason we choose Icons created before the seventeenth century as our models to create new Icons is because  Christian theism was the pervading worldview in the Western world until the advent of the Renaissance when Humanism began to emerge.  The worldview of the early Icons was one of a personal, triune God of the Bible, the universe was God’s creation and human beings were God’s special creation, created in His Image.

Early Christian Icon
Early Christian Icon

“During the period from the early Middle Ages to the end of the seventeenth century, very few challenged the existence of God…….Christianity had so penetrated the Western world that whether or not people believed in Christ or acted as Christians should, they all lived in a context of ideas influenced and informed by the Christian faith.” The Universe Next Door, James Sire

Saint Marina Icon
Paleologic Icon of Saint Marina

As Iconographers, we want to first understand the world and people around us, and then genuinely communicate God’s reality, His Truth,  to our world through the practice of Icon writing. We use the examples of the early Icons as our models to help us portray a worldview that we ourselves are not able to experience in our contemporary culture.

A worldview is a commitment , a fundamental orientation of the heart, that predisposes us to a particular reality. And that worldview provides the very foundation on which we live, work, play, and love others.

Saint John the Evangelist Icon
St. John the Evangelist Icon

If it’s true that all of one’s thoughts and actions originate in the heart, our relationship to God becomes central to us as artists and Iconographers.  More important even, than whether one uses acrylic paint, egg tempera, or use a particular style of painting Icons.

The Christian worldview is the central defining perspective and it encompasses notions of wisdom, spirituality, emotion, desire, and will. So when we say that prayer is the first and most important part of Icon painting, it is also important to keep clear about this Christian worldview, and that it is different from the worldview of the culture around us.

Early Christian Icon from St. Sophia Cathedral, Kiev
Early Christian Icon from St. Sophia Cathedral, Kiev

Ideally, our Icons become a bridge that unites the Christian worldview with whatever worldview popular culture is experiencing.  It is only through our compassionate understanding with those people and institutions around us that our Icons can go out into the world and be the blessings they are meant to be.

“Mother Teresa of Calcutta used to say that “the money in your pocket is not yours, it belongs to God.” The same is true of all the gifts you have received. They have been given to you by the Holy Spirit to bring the world back to God. ”  Deacon Lawrence  

May God inspire each of you, may you hear His voice, and may your Icons truly be a blessing to the world you inhabit.

This is a diptych Icon of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Christine Hales
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Icon by Christine Hales

Christine

Christine Simoneau Hales

“If we want clarity about our own worldview, we must reflect and profoundly consider how we actually behave.”    “The Universe Next Door” by James Sires

 

 

 

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