What Makes an Icon?

On September25th through the 29th, sixteen students attended a retreat/workshop at New Skete Monastery to begin or expand their knowledge of painting icons.  After two years of consideration, research, and planning, Philip Davydov and Olga Shalamova from Sacred Murals Studio in Saint Petersburg, Russia, were signed up to instruct the class.  Philip and Olga guided the students through the process of painting an icon from beginning to end.  The students stayed at the monastery or at a nearby inn, enjoyed their meals in the monks’ refectory, and attended daily worship.  Sister Cecelia, prioress of the Nuns of New Skete and an iconographer for over fifty years, joined the students to experience the difference with working with egg tempera instead of acrylic paint.

Group photo of students and instructors.

What Makes an Icon?

By Sister Cecelia

What makes an icon?  That was the question often put to the group who attended New Skete’s first iconography workshop. From September 25 to September 29, seventeen students and two instructors used the gathering room at Emmaus House as their studio.

            On the first day, Philip asked us why we had signed up for this course. “What were we each looking for?” While most had some experience in the arts, a few wanted to understand the whys and wherefores of icons. We were promised that we would paint an icon of Christ this week! It turned out to be quite intense, going from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM for 5 days. Explanations of what constitutes an icon, to the best proportions for drawing the head, to projected photos highlighting the explanations, to actual demonstrations of the particular area of learning were interspersed throughout the day so we would not be doing any one thing for too long a time.

            Quiet was encouraged during the sessions so that we could concentrate while we worked. 

            It became clear that not all paintings and icons are equally successful in their ability to inspire viewers to connect with the spiritual entity depicted. Our instructors’ goal seemed to be to educate us so that we would understand what the tradition of iconography has been, while still being able to communicate the subjects and themes in a contemporary manner. Philip and Olga packed so much into our one week. The study of iconography is so vast, yet they covered a great deal.

            What is the purpose of each icon?  To inspire one to change interiorly? To teach a historical event or story from Scripture? Icons historically were intended for liturgical services. They were aids to the churchgoers in frames of mind to inspire a love of God and neighbor. I thought, it is no wonder that icons found their way into homes and other buildings, since orthodoxy stresses becoming aware of God in all things and all people and places. 

            Patience was encouraged. We were instructed in learning to draw proportions that would help in this one icon as in all later drawings. The supplies were handed around as we needed them: brushes, pigments, egg solution, paper to practice on first, then the actual gessoed board. It seemed that we would never start painting or would certainly not have a finished icon by Saturday evening. On Thursday the painting did start, and slowly but surely Christ started appearing on all the boards. I was reminded of the Scripture passages telling how the followers of Christ did not recognize Him after He had risen: He looked different, and so did our Christs. Olga and Philip gave us much help as we proceeded to do the step-by-step process.  Painting this way was different from what I usually do, which is to have an outlined drawing. This way was to start putting in the shadows with yellow ochre and gradually darkening the shadows until the drawing looked satisfactory. Then we added the egg to the tempera powder and in thin layers proceeded to fill in the shadows and eventually the highlights. By Saturday morning the icon was ready for the darkest lines and the other shades of red. 

            Voila! By 4 PM on Saturday, my icon was nearly finished. Egg tempera has to dry well before it can be varnished, so that will be done later. By 4:30 we started packing up and headed up to church for the Vigil for Sunday with an icon of Christ as promised!

 
Comments from the instructors and students

Philip Davydov and Olga Shalamova:

“Our visit to the New Skete was a great time for us, and it was much, much more than we expected. Instead of some severe receptionist, "lobby" or anything else official, we were met by an open door, an open library, and a huge room with armchairs and windows from floor to ceiling! wifi passwords and names on doors! Floor covered with plastic and tables provided! All these things seemed to be an unbelievably generous treatment for someone who is not used to this kind of attitude anywhere else.
            It was like coming home after a long absence: many things have changed, but the door is open and the home is waiting for you! Thank you! We saw how much you were busy these days; everybody knew it was a hard job, but how you cared about the students' needs and ourselves!  (This sentence is in reference to Ida Williams, our Marketing and Communications Director, who handles much of the hospitality for our guests and retreatants.)
            Separate words have to be said about the ways of inclusion: how visitors are given an authentic opportunity to fully feel inhabitants of the monastery! Olga and I believe all the students loved the democratic approach when every meal is 100% shared and pilgrims/guests/visitors are not considered to be people of the second sort. The feeling of earthly equality with diversity in forms of life was great, and we both agreed that it was indeed a home away from home. THANK YOU!!!”

Mary:
The schedule worked beautifully and had plenty of time for worship, painting, eating, quiet, conversation, and walks. Never felt tired or rushed.  Everyone was very welcoming.

Dale:
Grateful for the opportunity to attend such an awesome workshop with excellent experienced instructors and group of nice participants. Some new bonds were created. Evenings permitted downtime to share individual stories and love of fellow human beings.

Valerie:
I can't wait for the next one. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. It was spiritually rejuvenating and educational.

Olga Shalamova's demonstration icon

Sister Cecelia's finished icon