Thy Perfect Light
For our third and final year, we each worked on a festal icon of our choice. We were invited to study different prototypes and design our own icon emphasising a particular aspect of the feast. I chose the Nativity, with a theme of praise and thanksgiving.
Given all the figures in this icon, I set it all out to fit on a large birch ply board. To get some practice first, I painted a few colour studies in egg tempera on very thick, smooth watercolour paper then mounted them all in a work book.
I prefer working on the smaller individual studies as I found it a bit awkward to work on the large board – in many ways it wasn’t anywhere near large enough! I love how in frescos, the scenes are painted almost life size.

Church of St Nicholas Orphanos, Thessaloniki
The images which follow are mostly from my workbook.
For now though, I would just like to thank you once again for reading and for joining me as I make my way learning how to paint icons. The finished Nativity icon is available to buy from my Etsy shop
I wish you all a peaceful and blessed Christmas and will be back in touch in the New Year.
Ronnie

Saint Joseph
4 Responses to “Thy Perfect Light”
Thank you Ronnie, That’s so beautiful. I should have been in Thessaloniki this year on a course but cancelled it as my husband was not well. Have a wonderful Christmas. Love Marcella xx
Sent from my iPad
Thanks so much Marcella. I’m really sorry your husband isn’t well – not an easy time for your family. Sending you much love, Ronnie
Beautiful – I particularly love the drawing. Well done!
Thanks very much Christine! Hope you have had a lovely Christmas. Ronnie