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 prototoypes 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.
I wish you all a peaceful and blessed Christmas and will be back in touch in the New Year.
Ronnie

Saint Joseph

Cropped section from the finished icon (which can be seen in full in the Gallery section of this blog).
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