Master-class in Melbourne is over

10 Days Icon Writing Course, Practice And Theory

11 - 20 January 2010
Melbourne, Australia

Location: AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY – ART SPACE
Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne

Teacher: Philip Davydov, Head of The Sacred Murals

Course times: 10 AM - 6 PM ( consecutive days)

Course costs: AUD $800
(euros 455)
(Includes 80 Euros for Materials and $20 non-refundable booking fee)

For further details please contact Margaret Broadbent (Course co-ordinator)

Email: mabs99@hotmail.com

Phone: +61 (03) 9555 5498

Short description of the course:

The Course is dedicated to the Old Masters method of creating a work of art. This approach takes into account the artistic methods employed by Medieval Iconographers as well as refined, Classical Renaissance goals and principles developed by the Great Masters.

Any student who is keen to study Iconography as a Traditional and Spiritual Art that centres around responsible, individual work with composition, drawing and painting techniques will find this Course both creative and challenging at the same time. The Medieval, Russian Icon - Model chosen for each of the students to write is entitled: “ CHRIST - THE PANTOCRATOR “ The Icon was painted in the 1520th - 1530 -th and is very well preserved.

Each student will be able to see all the details and elements very clearly. It will be very beneficial for “Beginners” and those who are drawn to Early Byzantine or later Russian Iconography. We believe this Icon to be one of the most beautiful images of Christ.

Each student will be presented with a white-gessoed board and materials kit and then led into the Traditional Process of Icon-Writing, step by step, by teacher-demonstrations.

The students will be helped to: - define basic forms through free-hand drawing. - understand methods of applying egg-tempera and basic colours by creating shadows and highlights, - understand glazing, bole-gilding and varnishing of the completed Icon.

Writing an icon is taught to be done in a totally focused and concentrated way. It is very important to go slowly at all times, living and understanding each of the steps deeply in our being. Everyone is adviced to take notes during teacher-demonstrations and ask questions for clarification. Individual student needs will be taken into account, photocopies of Icon-Writing Methods will be distributed daily.

We emphasise, that this method is not a craftsman’s receipt which guarantees good results. It rather works as a professional instrument, which can be tuned for almost any kind of traditional painting. Running parallel to the daily, practical sessions will be the incorporation of short, theoretical talks on Iconography - History, Theology and artistic, technical concerns. The students are encouraged to come to class each day with a refreshed, opened mind and heart. It will be in the silence and dedication practised by the students that the creativity and challenges will be met.

For all kinds of special questions or comments,

e-mail us, or call +7 950 00 58 293.

Faithfully Yours,

Iconographer Philip Davydov