E-Studies

How does it Work?

When you subscribe you will be given access to a password protected website. Each month two new slide lectures, with a photo album of examples and exercises for icon students, will be posted. Over time, we hope to add other eastXwest studies on various aspects of liturgy and iconography. The units are designed both for leisure studies and professional use.

The Online Icon Course

The Online Icon Course is a four part study of the history of iconography showing how the iconography of the Church developed in parallel with the growth of the early Church and it’s doctrinal history. Part theoretical and part practical, it is designed as a ‘toolbox’ to give iconographers, teachers, priests, architects and anyone involved with the design and decoration of churches a sound basis in the design and placing of icons, in context of the liturgical interior.

Part A: Roots of Iconography.

The first part of the course starts from the pre-Christian artwork of the great civilisations of the time of Christ, and the techniques which were taken over from them and transformed to convey the new revelation of the Incarnate God.

As the four Apostolic patriarchates - Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch and Alexandria - were formed, the Christians developed a new artistic language.

Iconography exercises include positive and negative space, calligraphic brushstroke, the Sinai Christ, ‘the pilgrim icon.’

Part B: Studying Scripture through Icons.
from 2012

The second part of the course looks at icons as Biblical exegesis. Starting with the Old testament precursors, moving through the Gospel narrative and completing with St. Paul, we see how a visual language was developed which parallels and depends on the Scriptural exegesis of the Church Fathers. Special attention is given to Gregory of Sinai’s exegesis of the Transfiguration.

Iconography exercises include composition, the ‘spiritual flow’ diagram and tonal exercises ‘from darkness to light.’

Part C: Iconography of the Councils.
from 2013

The third part of the course explores how icons became associated with the liturgy. We study icons which transmit the teaching of the Church Councils - Nicea I and the ‘Trinity;’ Ephesus and the Icons of the Mother of God; Chalcedon and the dialogue of colour and form reflecting the two natures; and the effects on iconography of inter-church conflict, the Celtic question and the rise of Islam.

Iconography exercises focus on writing the icon to convey the teaching of the Church through composition and colour

Part D: The 7th Ecumenical & the Iconographical Canons.
from 2013

The fourth part of the course covers the important doctrinal controversy of iconoclasm, in which the theological principles of Church art were clarified and the first canons of Christian art formulated. This covers Nicea II, the western response and ends with the Baptism of the Rus,’ and the association of the Sinai tradition of ‘prayer of the heart ‘ with the luminous Russian icons.

Iconography tools include detailed tuition sheets on iconographic technique and luminosity exercises.

Individual Tuition via Online Conferencing.
6 Sessions

A small number of students of iconography who would like individual coaching based on the exercises can sign up for a set of 6 online coaching sessions. We are hoping to expand this facility as other tutors become available.

Who this is for - students of iconography with enough experience to gesso their own boards and produce a reasonably competent icon. Aimed at improving design skills, in context of better understanding of the theology of icons.

Help with design of icons for specific projects.
Hourly Charge

Many icon students are frustrated by their lack of drawing expertise. Poor design can spoil a well painted icon. In response to a number of enquiries this service is offered on cost by hour basis.

Who this is for - iconographers producing icons of specific subjects, particularly new saints, who lack the training in design & theological skills which would enable them to produce a quality ‘podlinnik’ (design drawing) for what they are attempting.