Tradition and Orthodox church canon determine
most aspects of an icon, including style,
design, color and subject matter.
The style of icon painting comes from
two related traditions: the Byzantine and the
Russian. The style keeps to different principles
than our modern realism does. For example, the
expressions on the faces seem severe, and the
perspective used is awkward and that of pre-Renaissance
painting. The designs have been established
from prototypes centuries ago. It is the task
of the iconographer to be faithful to the outlines
and tracings of these original representations
and not to add or subtract features. Colors
as well are traditionally determined; for example,
Mary's cape is generally red. The subjects
of icons are Christ, The Virgin Mary (or Mother
of God), John the Baptist, the Archangels, Michael
and Gabriel, the Apostles, Saints and other Biblical
figures as well as church feast days.
Icons are painted on wood that has been covered
with many coats of gesso and then sanded silky
smooth. They measure from 6" x 8" to
12" x 18". The paint used here is acrylic,
although icons were originally made by an encaustic
(wax) method. Later they were painted with egg
tempera which is sometimes still used today. The
halos are always applied with gold leaf. Icons
are not meant to be framed but are to be hung
simply on the wall or placed in a small easel
or propped against a wall.
