Iconography Apprenticeship Year 1

The Apprenticeship Year 1 focus will be on faces, and students will complete an icon in the traditional media, including egg tempera and gilding. Additionally, students will complete many practice studies on toned paper, in their sketchbooks, and on small practice boards. As students progress through the 6-year Certification program, the main icon each year and auxiliary exercises will increase in complexity and challenge. Students can look forward to learning how to construct and gesso traditional boards, and design and paint busts, standing figures, and festal icons.

Students who take this course receive instruction in both the theology of iconography and the artistic practices intrinsic to traditional iconography.

Eligibility and Expectations

Eligible Students: The Apprenticeship for Adults is intended for students who wish to train to become iconographers, God willing. Students in no way have to be trained as artists, but they should have the basics of drawing representationally (not just “abstract art.”), for example, the ability to draw a face (in any style) with eyes, eyebrows, eyelids, nostrils, etc. Prospective students should e-mail the instructor with a drawing sample and/or a description of the student’s learning history if they have questions about whether this class is a good fit.

Expectations: In addition to the 75-minute class each week, there are painting, sketchbook, and reading assignments. Depending on individual speed, the student should expect to work 60-90 minutes between classes. Progression to the next Year (Level) up is dependent on meeting the requirements of the class, completing the main icon of the year, and demonstrating to the instructor mastery of the skills appropriate to each Year in a final, one-on-one oral exam.

See the full syllabus here.

• Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.
• High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.
• Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)
• Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm
• Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:
  1. Visit zoom.us/download.
  2. Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
  3. Open and run the installer on your computer.
  4. In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.
• Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.