Essentials of Iconography: Writing the icon of King David

With Marek Czarnecki

May 18 - 23, 2025

Date and Time Details:
Check in: Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 4:30
Workshop Ends: Friday May 23, 2025, at 1 PM

Address: 1 Enders Island, Mystic CT. 06355

Contact: info@endersIsland.org
(860)536-0565

  • Private Room – $1,485.00
  • Commuter (includes lunches and dinners only) – $1,010.00
Register now
Register now
King David was the greatest king of Israel, author of the psalms, father of Solomon and noble ancestor of Our Lord. This powerful 15th century Russian prototype was originally part of the prophet’s tier of an icon screen and is kept in Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. This is one of the best and highest examples of the Moscow school of Russian Orthodox Iconography.
Students will make a shoulder length copy of the face, crown and upper robe on a flat 8” x 10” gessoed wood panel.  After making a careful drawing in ink, students make their own paint by mixing egg yolks with natural pigments.  We parallel the model’s historical technique step by step, applying color in several successively brighter layers.
One technical challenge is the long rays of light in his crown and collar. Strong but fine calligraphic lines define the overall drawing and final system of parallel highlights in the hair, beard and face. His elderly face is creased with wisdom. Its glowing forms are revealed with several layers of softly blended transparent passages of tone, building to a full opacity in the brightest areas. Each brushstroke is accompanied with the prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”.
All materials and tools needed to complete an icon are provided. Students attending the workshop need to arrive with basic brush skills, a familiarity with the color wheel and experience mixing colors.

 

This week-long workshop’s studio time lasts five consecutive days. Check in begins Sunday night at 4:30. Dinner is served at 5:30 pm for students and instructors. Dinner is followed by a workshop introduction and conference, which ends at 9:00 pm. Hands-on instruction begins early Monday morning. The last meal is lunch on Friday. The art studio will be available Friday afternoon to complete your icon.

 

Workshop & commuter. Includes Daily Lunch and Dinner : $1010.00

Workshop with Private Room:  : $1485.00

If you would like to inquire about a Shared Room option, please call the main office.

Please call the office for more information: (860) 536-0565

 

 

 

About the Leader

Marek Czarnecki

Marek Czarnecki is an artist, iconographer, restorer and community scholar for Connecticut’s Polish-American Community. Originally from Bristol CT, Marek graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. An unexpected commission began his three decades studying historical Byzantine iconography. In 1996, the Connecticut Commission on the Arts awarded him its Painting Fellowship, which […]

Learn more about Marek Czarnecki

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St. Edmund's Retreat | 1 Enders Island, Mystic CT, 06355 | 860-536-0565 | info@endersisland.org