Finally, In-Person Icon Painting Workshops are Happening Again!

Icon painting classes taking place in summer 2022, taught by Marek Czarnecki at Enders Island, CT, and Holy Family Retreat Center, CT.

At last, we have the possibility of full face, masks off, in-person icon painting classes again. I was delighted to hear of these two taught this summer by Catholic Marek Czarnecki this summer.

Essentials of Iconography Learn a historical technique for writing icons in egg tempera on wood panels prepared with true gesso. Copying historical, traditional prototypes teaches us how the vision of the icon is manifested through the process of its creation. With color, calligraphic line, and blended tones of light, we demonstrate our understanding and love for the subject through skill. One workshop uses an icon of the face of St John the Baptist, the other the face of St Nicholas. There will be an Essentials workshop will be held on Aug 7-12 at the School of Sacred Arts, St Edmunds Retreat on Enders Island, Mystic, Connecticut USA. For registration, more information on the School of Sacred Arts and its other courses here is the link: www.endersisland.org/sacred-art-institute .


Comprehensive Course in Iconography This is the most thorough workshop on iconography currently available in the United States. Lasting six full days, the curriculum encompasses the Essentials of Iconography course with additional lessons in gesso making, panel preparation, gold leaf gilding with oil size, and making pigments from raw sources. The prototype will be a 16th-century Cretan prototype of the face of the Mother of God. The workshop will be held at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center through its Monastery Gallery of Art in Farmington CT, USA. For more information and registration, here is a link: www.holyfamilyretreat.org/calendar/icon .


Marek Czarnecki is a gifted iconographer and artist, teaching and writing icons out of his liturgical arts studio, Seraphic Restorations, in Meriden, CT. A student of Russian Orthodox iconographer Ksenia Pokrovsky, his icon painting has been featured in numerous exhibits, videos, and articles, including The New York Times and St. Anthony Messenger. He holds a B.F.A. degree from the prestigious School of Visual Arts in New York City. His website is www.seraphicrestorations.com.

St Nicholas

St. Hildegard of Bingen