Technique of icons painting

   Step 1

       This images illustrate briefly the main phases of the traditional technique of painting orthodox religious icons with egg tempera. The icons in the images use wood (which can be crafted in many custom shapes) as their base, over which, we apply the canvas initially, using a self-prepared glue. After 12 hours the gesso is applied in successive layers. The gesso is prepared using the glue, a white inert material and water. The preparation of the gessos and the manner in which it's applied is actually the extremely important and it has consequences on the durability of the finished icon. After drying the gesso, the surface is smoothed progressively whit agat stone until it becomes very fine and smooth, with no visible irregularities.  

  Step 2

      After that the contours of the faces are outlined and traced on the gesso. Shellac is applied in 4 to 6 layers to prepare the support for applying a main ingredient : the gold leaf. Shellac is used for sealing the surface and assuring its impermeability necessary for applying the substance used to glue the golden leaf. After about 12 hours, in which time the surface became suitably adherent we apply through a special traditional technique, 22kt thin gold leaf, being careful to overlap their margins with each other. 24 hours have to pass, and then the surface is again smoothed with great care, removing the excess fragments of leaf, and then a protective layer is applied to isolate the leaf. This is necessary because the leaf is very thin and so light that it can fly or glide from the support at your mere breathing.  

   Step 3

       The colors are prepared using dry pigments, combined with egg emulsion, water and vinegar. The egg emulsion has the most important role in consolidating the color and the effects are marvelous, when applying the colors. The colors have to be applied in thin layers. We begin with the darker tones passing gradually to the lighter ones (towards the final steps), in the well outlined spaces of the surface using a mild and very fine paintbrush.  

   Step 4

       The actual painting of the clothes comes in then, followed by the hair, faces and hands, precisely in this order. The fine details of the icon's elements are leaved for the final phase. We then mould the shapes, in successive layers, very thin, passing from the darker to the lighter tones. Next comes the finalizing the details of the faces and clothes.  

   Step 5