Iconography Academies
Introducing TLAA-Winter for Beginners
*FOR BEGINNERS ONLY
February 2 - 8, 2025
TLAA-WINTER
CLASS IS FULL
Overflow will be waitlisted
NEW! TLAA-Winter for beginners.
…is for beginners with little or no experience in drawing and painting. All students will work on the same icon that has less difficult elements. Students will be guided in the Byzantine technique of painting and are expected to focus on learning the skills of line drawing, color mixing, gold gilding and development of form through layering of paint.
*Registration for TLAA-Winter opens September 23
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Artistic ability transcends simple talent; it encompasses a spectrum of skills, techniques, and creative thinking. At its core, artistic ability involves not only technical proficiency but also the capacity for innovation and imagination. The artist’s eye notices subtle details that others might overlook, conveying complex ideas and feelings in a visual form.
Painting calls on a range of technical skills as well as an understanding of color theory, composition, and the ability to convey the narrative through visual elements. Other artistic sensitivities include drawing and modeling of form, along with an understanding of reverse perspective, and the use of light and shadow.
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Prospective students are asked to submit a registration form and 3 samples of their artwork that will be reviewed for placement. Please note that there are usually more applicants than openings and we strive to keep the classes evenly leveled for maximum benefit.
Beginners register for TLAA-Winter, whereas Intermediate and Advanced students apply for TLAA-Summer.
At The Liturgical Arts Academy, our selection process focuses on candidates' abilities in order to place them in the program that best suits them. We evaluate applicants based on a comprehensive set of criteria that reflects their skills, creativity, and dedication to the liturgical arts. This approach ensures that every student is accepted into a class where they can gain the most benefit.
*FOR INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED
August 17 - 23, 2025
TLAA-SUMMER
TLAA-SUMMER
…is for artists with more proficiency and experience in drawing and painting who will be able to take on more challenging elements in the icon. Artists who have never studied Byzantine technique will be considered Beginners and work on a smaller icon. The Intermediate and Advanced level will be for artists who have had some training in iconography and will paint a larger more detailed icon. Instruction at the Summer Academy will be at a higher level as compared to the Winter Academy for Beginners.
Advanced level student have a $75 materials surcharge.
*The Application Process for TLAA-Summer begins March 23
THE ICON WORKSHOP
The Liturgical Arts Academy offers a week of intensive instruction in Iconography under the guidance of Fr. Anthony Salzman, priest and iconographer from Athens, GA. Students spend 5-6 hours in the classroom workshop each day, with additional time available for work outside of class if desired. Daily matins and vespers services provide an atmosphere of prayer and worship, and mealtimes and evening programs allow for interaction with students in other workshops. Students build relationships with others, allowing for continued fellowship and learning among attendees.
THE INSTRUCTOR
CURRICULUM
Students will learn to paint and gild an icon according to the Byzantine technique and take home a varnished, ready-to-hang icon on a gessoed board..
The curriculum includes an introductory slide lecture of the history of Byzantine Iconography and an introduction to color theory and Byzantine drawing techniques. Instruction will cover line drawing, gold gilding, color mixing, development of flesh tones, hair and garments., constructing the halo, painting back and sides and varnishing. The class is taught using acrylic paints. All students will paint the same icon but possibly at varied levels of ability.
Each student will receive a gessoed board, 2 paint brushes, and an instructional binder. Other drawing and painting supplies are provided. Please see the FAQs below for helpful items you may want to bring.
The Winter and Summer Academies will have distinct focuses.
TLAA-Winter welcomes all Beginners that want to learn how to paint icons. Everyone will work at a guided pace on the same icon, with a minimum level of difficulty. Focus will be on learning correct technique and understanding of Byzantine Iconography.
TLAA-Summer is for artists and iconographers with some experience of drawing, painting and/or development of form. Applicants must submit samples of their artwork for review and acceptance into the program. Artists who have never studied iconography can work on a Beginner level icon at a guided pace. Artists who have studied and painted icons before can work at the Intermediate or Advanced level, where the icon will have increasing levels of detail and difficulty. This class will focus on strengthening a range of technical skills that includes color theory, composition, gold gilding, drawing and modeling of form, along with an understanding of reverse perspective, and the use of light and shadow.
The Application Process
All applicants should submit up to 3 samples of your artwork. These are to be emailed to me at christine.tlaa@gmail.com as JPG file attachments. Please label each file with your first and last name and a number as follows: Your.Name.1 and Your.Name.2 etc. Please note that the TLAA-Winter is a “registration” process, whereas TLAA-Summer is an “application” process.
“Students will complete an icon on a museum quality panel and attain a new vision for the possibilities of artistic expression. You will learn the traditional techniques of icon painting, and be inspired by the depths of this profound visual language. You will come away with the practical skills as well as a theoretical foundation for a rewarding and fulfilling artistic vocation.”
— Fr. Anthony Salzman
FAQs
Do I have to be an artist or know how to paint or draw to register for the Iconography Workshop?
Some artistic experience is required. Artists, however, do not need to have prior training in Byzantine Iconography to apply. Beginners and artists who have no training in Iconography will learn to paint an icon according to a step-by-step process and Father Anthony will help you along the way. Intermediate and Advanced students are required to have had some study in the Byzantine technique. They will strengthen their foundational knowledge through personalized instruction and demonstration. They will be encouraged to paint at a more challenging level.
What do I need to bring?
Iconography students may wish to bring:
old brushes for mixing paint
painter’s smock or apron
magnifying glass
small table lamp
easel and painter’s bridge - You may purchase a custom designed iconographer’s easel with bridge from Image and Likeness Iconography. You may have it shipped to you or brought to the Academy. To place your order go to: http://imageandlikeness.com/iconographers-easel/
