Iconography School New Jersey

Agape Sacred Art and Vas Avramidis are offering students a chance to study iconography and learn the art of Byzantine Icon painting. Students will learn to create icons using ancient techniques of Byzantine art and the egg tempera medium. In addition to learning how to paint icons, the classes will emphasize the underlying theology and symbolism of the icon. The iconography school believes that the proper education of the iconographer involves a holistic approach that includes: technique, painting skill, theology, history, scripture and spirituality. The school’s iconography courses seek to emulate the methods of teaching and apprenticeship of the old Byzantine schools. Whenever possible, iconography classes are kept small, preferably one-on-one. This way each student can get the personal instruction and attention they deserve, passing knowledge and skill from master to apprentice.

Join the Iconography School and become a part of history, and experience the mystery of icon painting.

Iconography School Painting Courses include:

• Selecting a prototype and making a drawing
• Transferring drawing to the board
• Gilding
• Egg-tempera medium preparation (or Acrylic preparation when applicable)
• Grinding natural pigments to make paint
• Applying basecoat color (roskrish)
• Highlighting the icon
• Applying finishing details to the icon
• Calligraphic inscriptions
• Applying assiste and gold leaf
• Varnishing of the icon

Advanced icon painting students will delve deeper into color theory, composition, creating antimony, and more.

Icon Painting Course fee: $245 per month
Entitles the student to two hours of instruction per week.
Classes meet in Pittstown, NJ

Discounts are available for groups, and for prepayment.

Call to inquire: 908-304-5541

It isn’t often that you can find an artist, a teacher, and a theologian wrapped into one, but with Vas Avramidis, this combination is actually possible. I began my journey learning to paint icons in the traditional style with egg tempera, two years ago. I took some weekend courses, and learned some techniques, but did not get the individual, precise, and joyful instruction that I received with Vas. Having worked with young people, Vas is a very adept teacher, giving many examples, explaining why a process is done at a certain time, and shares his wealth of knowledge of art and beauty. He allowed me to be hands-on in developing my work, demonstrating, then having me complete the technique, rather than doing it for me. So many classes result in the instructor taking over the brush, in an effort for everyone to leave happy with a finished icon, despite the work representing the teacher rather than the student. Vas was very respectful of my work, and my need to learn by doing myself. When I made missteps, Vas was patient, and explained that part of the icon painting experience is learning humility, perseverance, and patience. Mixing colors from ground minerals with egg medium is an art that few teachers of iconography explain or share. Vas gave me detailed instruction mixing colors to the point where I felt confident I could replicate the color palate on my own. I enjoyed many conversations on art, spirituality, creativity, and aesthetics during our studio time together. Our lessons were an experience in learning to reflect God’s beauty, and finding that iconography is another way to pray with a paintbrush.

Carol Funk 11/9/2014