Panel Preparation and Gesso making for Egg Tempera and Icon Painters

Egg tempera must be painted onto a stiff, inflexible panel, coated with an absorbent primer called “gesso”. In a one-day workshop, iconographer and instructor Marek Czarnecki will teach students the process of making true artists’ gesso with rabbit skin glue, chalk and marble dust.

There will be an examination of the historical types of panels used to support both egg tempera paintings and icons, as well as a discussion of our contemporary options. Students will first apply linen, then gesso, over a ¾” thick 9” x 12” flat Baltic birch plywood board. Both “cold paste” and “wet liquid” methods will be demonstrated.

Many layers (10-12) are needed to build up an ample, smooth ground. Because of the necessary drying time and sanding between layers, each student will finish the day with a partially completed panel and given enough gesso to complete the task at home. These are the identical panels used for the Essentials of Iconography workshops and are suitable for all kinds of egg tempera painting.

You are welcome to join us for our  Mass at 9 AM. Check in and coffee with be at 10 AM in the Sacred Art Studio. A boxed lunch will be provided in the Art Studio.

The day will conclude at approximately 5 PM.