This is the second part of a complete 6-part course in which the entire icon is created step by step — from the raw wooden panel to the finished and protected image. Each section of the course focuses on a different stage of the process, allowing you to gradually deepen both your practical skills and your understanding of traditional iconography. In this part of the course, we focus on the technical and structural foundations that prepare the icon for painting. These stages are extremely important because they influence the harmony, proportions, and final character of the image. Rather than rushing directly into painting, we carefully build the structure that will support all later work.
You will learn the principles of drawing theory used in traditional iconography, including composition, balance, proportions, and the construction of the face. We discuss how the drawing serves not only as a technical guide, but also as a way of creating order, clarity, and harmony within the icon. The course includes both theoretical and practical lessons. You will learn how to properly prepare and prime the icon board, how to transfer the drawing onto the surface, and how to gradually refine the image through several stages of work. Particular attention is given to precision, patience, and understanding the logic behind each step rather than simply copying the process mechanically.
