Learning Icon Painting

A sustained, community based formation in Byzantine iconography conducted online and accessible to all.

Experience

Ian teaches Byzantine icon painting in egg tempera from a Catholic perspective.
Since 2010 he has developed a teaching method under the title of the Bethlehem Icon School, appreciated by people both in-person and online from around the world.
In 2012 he founded the Bethlehem Icon Centre in the Holy Land, where he taught the Prince's Trust School of Traditional Arts Icon Painting Course under the direction of Aidan Hart.
In 2020 he developed this into the Academy Course in Icon Painting.
He is the author of the acclaimed 'Icon Painter's Handbook', published in 2023.

Goals

Offer an effective formation in icon painting as a Christian vocation
put down roots in the fundamental principles of iconography, in both theology and practice, applied and theoretical
developing the artistic skill base essential for making good icons
contextualise icon design as a living art within the Church's Liturgy
ensure iconography is available without costs being an impediment

Friendly support

Ian offers ongoing support via online tutorials and email critiques.
Course participants can join the Arbor Vitae Icon Academy.
Students are welcome from any religious background or none.

Special Promotion!

buy all 4 Modules for €100

email consultation

Ian is happy to give a consultation on your work via email.

Send up to two images and any questions you might have for Ian's advice.

Present the credit with your email submission.

€12

Academy Tutorials

Monthly Subscription

Members of the Icon Academy can join small tutor groups. Please contact Ian before purchasing.

€30

one on one

tutorial

Zoom tutorial with Ian.

Ian is happy to offer one on one tutorials via Zoom by mutual arrangement to anyone who would value his help. Once you have purchased a credit please contact Ian via email to arrange the appointment. He will provide you with the Zoom meeting details.

30 mins or 60 mins one on one Zoom tutorial

€23 for 30 mins

€35 for 1 hour

Start learning today!

"May I add my thanks, you make what might seem quite a dry subject (i.e. brushes) so interesting. It spurred me on to check mine, buy brush soap and practice calligraphic strokes."

Paul Hill, UK, Module One participant, June 2020.

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Join our community

Learning icon painting is fun, as well as a great blessing. You join with the saints as you paint them, deepening your sense of being part of God's people on earth and in heaven.
While icon painting deserves serious study and hard work, its also important to enjoy being with other iconographers.

Companions help us to keep focused, share insights and generally bring the joy of the Christian life into the heart of what we do. Ian offers tutorials and email critiques as part of the Icon Painting Academy, and its a great place to make friends and share the journey.

And it is not just the Church on earth but the whole company of the saints - those we paint, our intercessors in heaven, as well as those generations of icon painters who have gone before us and from whom we can learn so much!

JOIN THE ICON ACADEMY

"I think the Academy course is an excellent way to learn how to paint Icons.

Students participating benefit from the skills of a master of iconography and are able to improve their own capabilities. I have found the online workshops and the lectures on the history and design of icons most illuminating. Also interesting have been the on line “conversations” Ian has organised with practicing iconographers.

I look forward to future participation in the course."

Judith, UK, December 2022