Workshop: Introduction to Traditional Zhostovo Painting

Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9, 10:00am – 4:30pm

Members $125, Nonmembers $150, plus $80 supply fee

Limited to 18 participants, registration required by Friday, May 31. Call 978.598.5000.

Learn to paint the Zhostovo style from one of the world’s leading authorities and teachers. This three project course is designed for painters who have never painted this style before or who want a refresher class to hone their skills.  Daisies, cornflowers and a classic rose with an ornamental border will be painted. DecoArt will provide the Americana acrylic paints to be used in the classroom.

The students will learn some Zhostovo history, how to set up your painting space, about painting supplies needed, the use and care of brushes, how to properly prepare a surface, how to transfer a design to the painting surface, when to use opaque and transparent paints, and some basic stroke work. Students will also receive an introduction to the stages of the traditional painting – base painting, shading, and highlighting. There will also be a lesson on the beautiful ornamentation that adorns Zhostovo works. Added to this experience will be the opportunity to view the exhibition of many unique and beautiful examples of Zhostovo painting. Students will leave full of excitement and ready to create many more paintings.

The class fee includes complete written instructions, line drawings, colored worksheets of each stage, and three days of classroom instruction.  Students will get access to a recorded version of the class in Tricia’s online classroom, where lessons can be reviewed or repeated. There is an additional surface fee, plus the brushes and all of the supplies needed may be purchased in class (except for a short list of household items). Students must have the required sable brushes, or purchase them in class. The class is designed for adult painters, and some previous painting experience or teacher permission is required.

Register by calling the Museum: 978.598.5000

2019 Prosopon School of Iconography

Monday, August 5 to Saturday, August 10, 2019,
8:30am – 4:00pm.
Museum Members $900, Nonmembers $995
Registration opens on Monday, January 7

Vladislav Andrejev has been teaching iconography since 1985, during which time thousands of his students have been introduced to the ancient art of icon writing. Over the years, Vladislav’s iconographic technique and teaching method developed into a distinct school of painting and interpretation. The Museum of Russian Icons is hosting the renowned Prosopon School of Iconology for an intensive six¬ day course on icon writing. Working with Prosopon faculty, participants will study the techniques of painting icons, including transferring of the image, applying the gold leaf, and the use of egg tempera paint. Students will use natural materials and the traditional multi¬step process to paint their own icons of Archangel Michael. Previous students can make special arrangements with the instructor to paint another subject for their icon workshop. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to iconology, iconic symbolism, and the theological and philosophical basis of each step. No previous artistic experience is required. The course takes place in the Museum’s Auditorium.

Please note that formal instruction ends each day at 4:00 PM, but students may need to spend additional time in the evenings to complete the lesson and be prepared for the next day. The Museum will open each day at 8:30 am and close to students at 5:00 PM sharp.

The tuition includes 36 hours of instruction over six days and includes all materials including the board, pigments, and gold leaf. 50% deposit is required to reserve your space.

Download a pdf of the course description and policies here.

Prosopon School of Iconology Scholarship Application

One scholarship is available to attend the Prosopon School of Iconology Icon Painting Workshop free of charge, courtesy of the Nypro Foundation. The scholarship covers tuition and fees, it does NOT cover transportation, lodging, or meals. The scholarship is awarded based on financial need. Applications will be accepted January-April, followed by a brief phone or in-person interview. The recipient will be notified the last week of May.
Please submit the following materials to:
Museum of Russian Icons
ATTN: Prosopon Scholarship
203 Union Street
Clinton, MA 01510

1. Completed form
2. Referral letter from someone who can verify your financial situation – social worker, healthcare provider, member of the clergy. Referral letter cannot come from a family member. A tax form that states yearly income can be substituted for a referral letter.
3. A brief statement of interest in the workshop (no more than 1 page)

Sponsored by the Nypro Foundation