I have long been an admirer of religious iconic art, not for religious reasons, but because I'm an artist. I particularly admire the images of the Byzantine era, but never painted any. I thought I would give it a try. After researching and watching a few U-tube classes I decided I didn't really have the patience to do true icon art. I have no interest in working in egg tempera, making my own paints, or tracing everything.
But,
There is no reason why I cannot learn the basics of drawing the images and then painting my own version in acrylics or some other medium. So today I worked on my first piece of iconic art.
Well, it's a start anyway. It's really a lot different than I usually paint. It's flat. But I like it. It reminds me a lot of the paint by numbers I used to do when I was a kid. The technique is very similar. If one puts the right color in the right place, it suddenly has some dimension.
This is a paint by number I found recently at an estate sale, tucked away in the corner of a garage. I think they were just going to throw it away. Couldn't let that happen. I sort of have an affinity for these old cardboard paintings. It's really how I got interested in learning to draw and paint.
I'm looking forward to experimenting with more icon art, with more detail and decoration.
But.....work tomorrow.
Looks like a great start to me! I think this is a very cool thing to learn how to do. Hope you continue posting pics of your Byzantine efforts. :)
ReplyDeleteBy jove, I think you've got it! Really, I like it; I'm not an artist or art critic, but I think it is iconic.
ReplyDeleteI've developed an appreciation of icons in recent years and was so pleased to see you give it a whirl. Your first time out is lovely. I especially like her lips and the tilt of her head is so graceful. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the deer. Good save. The paint by numbers of decades past are really very cool.
Hi Judie. Nice work. I agree with Annie. Love the deer. Really nice. Just stopping by to wish you Happy Holidays. Take care. See you in 2013. Keep up your beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a really wonderful job with this icon. I love the strength that comes through.xx
ReplyDeleteI really like your iconography, Judie - it doesn't look "flat" at all to my non-artist's eyes. I like the shading of her skin and love the blue and yellow of her veil.
ReplyDeleteGreat work!!
Your Byzantine lady is wonderful! I like it so much!
ReplyDelete...and the deer painting has found a good home.I remember my grandma bringing me a paint by numbers (wooded landscape and tumbling stream) when I was sick as a child - it was fun and quite soothing to do.
This is gorgeous Judie......it has soul and depth not flat in the slightest. Though I don't consider myself a religious person, spiritually I have always gravitated to Mary. I feel her female strength thus I have an old statue of her that was my Mom's that sits on a wall sconce near our front door. Like a Mother protector.
ReplyDeleteYou know there seems to be a real new appreciation for those old paint by numbers....some people collect them and hang them on a wall in a group. I think it's kind of cool!
XOXO