Iconography

The Iconography Academy is Now Full, with a waitlist.

You are welcome to apply and submit your artwork samples for the waitlist for August 2024. Please note that there are tentative plans for a winter session, Feb 2 - 8, 2025 and you will need to reapply (in September) for the winter session.

The Icon Workshop

The Liturgical Arts Academy offers a week of intensive instruction in Iconography under the guidance of Fr. Anthony Salzman, priest and iconographer from Athens, GA. Students spend 5-6 hours in the classroom workshop each day, with additional time available for work outside of class if desired. Daily matins and vespers services provide an atmosphere of prayer and worship, and mealtimes and evening programs allow for interaction with students in other workshops. Students build relationships with others, allowing for continued fellowship and learning among attendees.

ICON OF THE ANNUNCIATION

for 2024 Academy

The Instructor

“Students will complete an icon on a museum quality panel and attain a new vision for the possibilities of artistic expression. You will learn the traditional techniques of icon painting, and be inspired by the depths of this profound visual language. You will come away with the practical skills as well as a theoretical foundation for a rewarding and fulfilling artistic vocation.”

— Fr. Anthony Salzman

**Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Levels**

Students will learn to paint and gild an icon according to the Byzantine technique and take home a varnished, ready-to-hang icon on a gessoed board..
The curriculum includes an introductory slide lecture of the history of Byzantine Iconography and an introduction to color theory and Byzantine drawing techniques. Instruction will cover line drawing, gold gilding, color mixing, development of flesh tones, hair and garments., constructing the halo, painting back and sides and varnishing.
The class is taught using acrylic paints. All students will paint the same icon but at varied levels of ability. Beginners are required to have some artistic training but not required to have experience in iconography. Intermediate and Advanced students are required to have some level of proficiency in the Byzantine Iconographic tradition. Intermediate and Advanced students may paint in egg tempera with prior approval by the instructor. All students will be asked to submit samples of their artwork.
Each student will receive a gessoed board, 2 paint brushes, and an instructional binder. Other drawing and painting supplies are provided. Please see the FAQs below for helpful items you may want to bring.

FAQs

Do I have to be an artist or know how to paint or draw to register for the Iconography Workshop?

Some artistic experience is required. Artists, however, do not need to have prior training in Byzantine Iconography to apply. Beginner artists will learn to paint an icon according to a step-by-step process and Father Anthony will help you along the way. Intermediate and Advanced students will move at their own pace and will strengthen their foundational knowledge through personalized instruction and demonstration. They will be encouraged to paint at a more challenging level.

Will we paint in egg tempera or acrylic?

The class will use acrylic paints. Exceptions can be made for those students who have proficiency in iconography. Please contact Presvytera Christine Salzman at christine.tlaa@gmail.com.

What do I need to bring?

Iconography students may wish to bring:

old brushes for mixing paint
painter’s smock or apron
magnifying glass
small table lamp
easel and painter’s bridge - You may purchase a custom designed iconographer’s easel with bridge from Image and Likeness Iconography. You may have it shipped to you or brought to the Academy. To place your order go to: http://imageandlikeness.com/iconographers-easel/