Supports

Beginning with this installment, this series of articles discusses the technique of making icons in abundant detail from obtaining the wood for the painting panel to putting on the final picture varnish or olipha of icons. A guide to the properties of wood and how to select the optimal wood for painting panels. This is the first in a series of articles on painting icons; beginning with the selection of the panel, preparing it for painting and the painting technique. Although this series of articles applies specifically to the preparing and painting of icons, it has wider application for preparing solid wood panels for painting.

Prologue
Before approaching the examination of the stages of icon painting, I want to remind all of those reading these words of the following: Since ancient times icon painting has been considered a spiritual pursuit; ...