F. A. Q.
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Q: What is an Icon?
A: The word "icon" means "image." Icons are not framed because they are considered to be windows into heaven rather than a piece of art to be displayed. They are called windows into heaven because they are meant to help the viewer commune with God. God comes through the icon, as it were, to speak to the viewer. If there is a border on the icon, the image inside the border usually overlaps the border in some places to further emphasize that heaven is coming through the icon to touch the viewer.
Iconography literally means “to write an image.” There are rules and guidelines for everything from what materials to use to what colors and how to shape the nose. Iconography is not just a hobby; it is a sacred activity, a calling to participate with the Holy Spirit in a special way. An iconographer’s hands are anointed because they become holy instruments. The iconographer has to lead a life of prayer and fasting so as to be open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit while writing an icon.
A: The word "icon" means "image." Icons are not framed because they are considered to be windows into heaven rather than a piece of art to be displayed. They are called windows into heaven because they are meant to help the viewer commune with God. God comes through the icon, as it were, to speak to the viewer. If there is a border on the icon, the image inside the border usually overlaps the border in some places to further emphasize that heaven is coming through the icon to touch the viewer.
Iconography literally means “to write an image.” There are rules and guidelines for everything from what materials to use to what colors and how to shape the nose. Iconography is not just a hobby; it is a sacred activity, a calling to participate with the Holy Spirit in a special way. An iconographer’s hands are anointed because they become holy instruments. The iconographer has to lead a life of prayer and fasting so as to be open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit while writing an icon.
Q: How do the materials and techniques in Iconography differ from other forms of art?
A: Since there is a specific goal in iconography, there are specific techniques and supplies required to achieve that goal. All of the supplies for the icon (the paints, brushes, and boards) are blessed. The icon is painted on non-resinous wood with water-based paints. The wooden board is wrapped in linen to symbolize the burial cloth in which Jesus was wrapped after the crucifixion, and then covered in gesso.
All of the painting on the icon is done from dark to light in order to symbolize creation, when God brought light into darkness, and also the Incarnation, when Christ brought light into a world dark with sin. The painting is done in a series of layers working up from the darkest shade of the color to the highlights. The early layers of paint are applied with a special “pooling” technique so that the paint is perfectly smooth for future layers. The skin is painted first in layers of greens and grays to give depth and dimension and then gone over with transparent flesh tones. The gold of the halo and background is applied with an adhesive called “gold size” and then thin sheets of 24 k gold are pressed on.
A: Since there is a specific goal in iconography, there are specific techniques and supplies required to achieve that goal. All of the supplies for the icon (the paints, brushes, and boards) are blessed. The icon is painted on non-resinous wood with water-based paints. The wooden board is wrapped in linen to symbolize the burial cloth in which Jesus was wrapped after the crucifixion, and then covered in gesso.
All of the painting on the icon is done from dark to light in order to symbolize creation, when God brought light into darkness, and also the Incarnation, when Christ brought light into a world dark with sin. The painting is done in a series of layers working up from the darkest shade of the color to the highlights. The early layers of paint are applied with a special “pooling” technique so that the paint is perfectly smooth for future layers. The skin is painted first in layers of greens and grays to give depth and dimension and then gone over with transparent flesh tones. The gold of the halo and background is applied with an adhesive called “gold size” and then thin sheets of 24 k gold are pressed on.
Q: What is a giclee print?
A: Giclees are museum quality fine art prints made with archival inks. In the giclee process, the original icon is scanned with a high resolution scanner, and then tiny drops of ink are finely sprayed onto archival canvas. Then the image is finished with a matte finish and UV protective coating. The canvas is then mounted onto aspen wood that is 3/4 inches thick. The sides and back of the wood are then painted.
A: Giclees are museum quality fine art prints made with archival inks. In the giclee process, the original icon is scanned with a high resolution scanner, and then tiny drops of ink are finely sprayed onto archival canvas. Then the image is finished with a matte finish and UV protective coating. The canvas is then mounted onto aspen wood that is 3/4 inches thick. The sides and back of the wood are then painted.
Q: Why aren't icons signed by the iconographer?
A: Since an iconographer is properly seen as an instrument of the Holy Spirit, subject to His inspiritations at all times, the proper artist of the icon is considered to be the Holy Spirit. Sometimes Icons are said to be done "by the hand of...." but full credit must always be given to God.
A: Since an iconographer is properly seen as an instrument of the Holy Spirit, subject to His inspiritations at all times, the proper artist of the icon is considered to be the Holy Spirit. Sometimes Icons are said to be done "by the hand of...." but full credit must always be given to God.