tel: 020 8452 7660
info@iconadventures.co.uk

The Icon Painting Course

This course is for anyone who would like to paint an icon, regardless of previous experience and/or ability. It is especially suitable for beginners and those wishing to combine relaxation and adventure with a cultural, spiritual and historically-rich learning experience.

Each participant will study and paint an archetypal icon from the collection at St. Catherine’s Monastery using traditional techniques. The course is led by professional iconographer and Courtauld scholar, Helen McIldowie-Jenkins. To maximise learning, each stage the icon painting process will be covered thoroughly through demonstration. All materials (except paint brushes) are included. The small group size (maximum 8 persons) facilitates a high level of individual support, in addition there are several opportunities to catch-up or work un-guided.

As an integral part of the course, there is an unhurried visit the monastery’s basilica and icon museum to fully explore the function, meaning and spirituality of icons. In addition, the art historical context of the course will focus on the transmission of iconographic themes between the medieval west and Byzantine east. No other course combines the practice icon painting with the icon collection at St. Catherine’s Monastery.

The delightful, peaceful icon painting studio is situated within the hotel grounds and overlooks the Gulf of Aqaba, with the shimmering turquoise sea just a few metres away.

The course provides:

• 30 hours of studio-based work
• Individual guidance within small group
• A contemplative and meditative approach to icons
• Art historical introduction to the history, meaning, function and iconography of Byzantine icons
• Site visit seminar and contextualised study of the seminal icon collection at St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinaitic icons and issues of medieval transmission
• Study and production of one icon - according to traditional practice
• Step-by-step technical guidance using traditional methods and materials
• Specialist materials: a gessoed panel, pigments and gold leaf (included)
• Tuition, art historical and reference notes
• Demonstration and discussion
• Private, peaceful first-floor studio with air conditioning, lighting and veranda (overlooking the sea and adjacent to hotel bar and pool)

The icon painting studio overlooking the sea

All welcome – this course is inclusive and offered from an art historical position. Further advice on what students need to bring will be sent with booking confirmation.

Useful Link to the icons at St. Catherine’s Monastery:
http://touregypt.net/featurestories/catherines2a.htm

London-based tutor, Helen McIldowie-Jenkins BA HONS, MA has over 18 years experience as a professional icon painter (Elenis Icons) and teacher and is a graduate of the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. Helen’s website:
http://www.elenisicons.co.uk

Helen is also the Cataloguer for the Icon Department at MacDougall Arts, the leading Russian Art Auction house in London. St James's based MacDougall's holds two specialist auctions a year of Russian Art and Icons, and is now the largest, exclusive auction house for 15th- 20th century Russian icons in the world.