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Betsy Porter
Art and Iconography
HOME PAGE
Art and Iconography
HOME PAGE
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Greetings from Betsy Porter!
After many years of making art and learning a variety of craft disciplines,
I would like to show you some of my work.
During the past several years, sacred icons in the Byzantine style have
become my primary art form. I work in the traditional egg tempera paint
and gold leaf on a wooden board covered with natural gesso. This
time-consuming, contemplative method can produce beautiful results,
with subtle but glowing colors and delicate detail.
I coordinate a series of informal iconography sessions or classes,
usually two Sunday afternoons each month, at St. Gregory of Nyssa
Episcopal Church, 500 DeHaro at Mariposa, San Francisco, California.
Meanwhile, I still enjoy practicing other art disciplines, and learning new
ones, in whatever time I can find. Each year, I enroll in at least one art
or iconography workshop.
After many years of making art and learning a variety of craft disciplines,
I would like to show you some of my work.
During the past several years, sacred icons in the Byzantine style have
become my primary art form. I work in the traditional egg tempera paint
and gold leaf on a wooden board covered with natural gesso. This
time-consuming, contemplative method can produce beautiful results,
with subtle but glowing colors and delicate detail.
I coordinate a series of informal iconography sessions or classes,
usually two Sunday afternoons each month, at St. Gregory of Nyssa
Episcopal Church, 500 DeHaro at Mariposa, San Francisco, California.
Meanwhile, I still enjoy practicing other art disciplines, and learning new
ones, in whatever time I can find. Each year, I enroll in at least one art
or iconography workshop.
IN APPRECIATION TO THE PROSOPON SCHOOL OF ICONOLOGY
With extreme gratitude, I thank the Prosopon School of Iconology and its
founder, Vladislav Andrejev, for opening to me the philosophy and method of
iconography discussed on these pages. I have attempted to transmit his
teachings faithfully. Many of the icons on these pages were made with the help
of his elegant and beautifully crafted line drawings.
However, there is much on this website that has come to me from other sources,
and a good deal with which Vladislav and the teachers of the Prosopon School
would probably not agree.
Vladislav Andrejev teaching at a workshop of the Prosopon School
photograph by Mary Plaster
With extreme gratitude, I thank the Prosopon School of Iconology and its
founder, Vladislav Andrejev, for opening to me the philosophy and method of
iconography discussed on these pages. I have attempted to transmit his
teachings faithfully. Many of the icons on these pages were made with the help
of his elegant and beautifully crafted line drawings.
However, there is much on this website that has come to me from other sources,
and a good deal with which Vladislav and the teachers of the Prosopon School
would probably not agree.
Vladislav Andrejev teaching at a workshop of the Prosopon School
photograph by Mary Plaster
DISCLAIMERS
The opinions, interpretations, recommendations, and instructions on this website are my own, and may not agree with
those of other iconographers and commentators. They do not necessarily represent the position of any school, church,
or other organization.
The techniques and materials described on this site are not intended for children.
Every effort has been made to ensure that all information on this site is accurate. However, due to differing conditions,
tools, and individual skills, the publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, losses, or other damages that may
result from the use of the information on this site.
The work on this site is generally in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Many other spiritual traditions have
developed their own iconography and sacred or symbolic art, often using methods and materials similar to those
described here - but those art forms are beyond the scope of this site.
The opinions, interpretations, recommendations, and instructions on this website are my own, and may not agree with
those of other iconographers and commentators. They do not necessarily represent the position of any school, church,
or other organization.
The techniques and materials described on this site are not intended for children.
Every effort has been made to ensure that all information on this site is accurate. However, due to differing conditions,
tools, and individual skills, the publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, losses, or other damages that may
result from the use of the information on this site.
The work on this site is generally in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Many other spiritual traditions have
developed their own iconography and sacred or symbolic art, often using methods and materials similar to those
described here - but those art forms are beyond the scope of this site.
IN APPRECIATION TO THE COMMUNITY OF
ARTISTS AND ICONOGRAPHERS
In my experience, an artist or iconographer does her best work when
surrounded by others who are slightly more knowledgeable and skilled.
There is no substitute for a supportive community! I have found such
support from a host of teachers, workshop coordinators, and fellow
iconographers and artists.
You will find snapshots of icon-painting friends, mostly from the San
Francisco Bay Area, and their work on the Artist Friends page, as well as
scattered throughout these pages. Some have their own websites.
Patricia K. Kelly, Loretta Hoffmann and Mary Plaster have their own pages
on this site.
I look forward to encountering more of you, and to seeing your work
develop!
ARTISTS AND ICONOGRAPHERS
In my experience, an artist or iconographer does her best work when
surrounded by others who are slightly more knowledgeable and skilled.
There is no substitute for a supportive community! I have found such
support from a host of teachers, workshop coordinators, and fellow
iconographers and artists.
You will find snapshots of icon-painting friends, mostly from the San
Francisco Bay Area, and their work on the Artist Friends page, as well as
scattered throughout these pages. Some have their own websites.
Patricia K. Kelly, Loretta Hoffmann and Mary Plaster have their own pages
on this site.
I look forward to encountering more of you, and to seeing your work
develop!
Except as otherwise specifically noted, the icons and art work on this site have been hand-painted
by Betsy Porter, using egg tempera paint and gold leaf on a wood board or panel covered with
natural gesso. Sacred symbolism infuses these images, materials, and methods.
The great majority of these icons are based on traditional sacred images, developed over the
centuries as part of the worship of the Christian orthodox churches. The iconographer (icon
painter) does not aim for originality or self-expression, but for a faithful and expressive rendering
of the beloved icon.
With experience, however, every iconographer develops a distinctive and identifiable artistic style.
by Betsy Porter, using egg tempera paint and gold leaf on a wood board or panel covered with
natural gesso. Sacred symbolism infuses these images, materials, and methods.
The great majority of these icons are based on traditional sacred images, developed over the
centuries as part of the worship of the Christian orthodox churches. The iconographer (icon
painter) does not aim for originality or self-expression, but for a faithful and expressive rendering
of the beloved icon.
With experience, however, every iconographer develops a distinctive and identifiable artistic style.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES, SUMMER/FALL 2008
- June 29
- July 13
- July 20
- August 17
- August 24
- September 7
- September 21
- October 5
- October 26
- November 16
- November 30
- December 5
Left: Tree of Life
egg tempera and gold leaf, 13 x 15.5 inches, 2006
photograph by Richard Anderson
Below Right: The Holy Silence
egg tempera and gold leaf, 11 x 14 inches, 2006
photograph by Richard Anderson
egg tempera and gold leaf, 13 x 15.5 inches, 2006
photograph by Richard Anderson
Below Right: The Holy Silence
egg tempera and gold leaf, 11 x 14 inches, 2006
photograph by Richard Anderson
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The Image Not Made by Hands
(The Mandylion) by Loretta Hoffmann
(The Mandylion) by Loretta Hoffmann
ON THIS SITE YOU WILL FIND:
An article on the theory and practice of iconography
Suggestions for display and care of portable icons -
display at church, at home, in exhibition; and
storage, transportation, cleaning, minor repairs
A Gallery of Icons by the hand of Betsy Porter, including:
Icons of Creation and the Divine Order
Icons of Jesus and Scenes from his Life
Icons of Mary
Icons of Hebrew Prophets and Heroes
Icons of Saints
Icons of Angels
Technical Pages with Instructions for How to Paint a Byzantine Icon by the Prosopon
Method - Although there is no substitute for a workshop or a series of classes, these pages
may be helpful to students of egg tempera painting and to my fellow iconographers.
Supply list and sources, including pigments
Laying out the icon on its board; selecting a design, a board, and colors
Gilding with gold leaf over red clay bole
Studio tips including use of the ruling pen
Color recipes for egg tempera paint
Painting roskrish or base colors; brush strokes; line work
Adding highlights and floats
Finishing touches; lines and borders
Making and using shell gold; gold lines over paint
Inscriptions, books, and scrolls
Applying olifa; anointing the finished icon
Landscape, buildings, and furniture in icons
Step by step painting of some recent icons
and JEWELRY and MORE ART by BETSY PORTER
An article on the theory and practice of iconography
Suggestions for display and care of portable icons -
display at church, at home, in exhibition; and
storage, transportation, cleaning, minor repairs
A Gallery of Icons by the hand of Betsy Porter, including:
Icons of Creation and the Divine Order
Icons of Jesus and Scenes from his Life
Icons of Mary
Icons of Hebrew Prophets and Heroes
Icons of Saints
Icons of Angels
Technical Pages with Instructions for How to Paint a Byzantine Icon by the Prosopon
Method - Although there is no substitute for a workshop or a series of classes, these pages
may be helpful to students of egg tempera painting and to my fellow iconographers.
Supply list and sources, including pigments
Laying out the icon on its board; selecting a design, a board, and colors
Gilding with gold leaf over red clay bole
Studio tips including use of the ruling pen
Color recipes for egg tempera paint
Painting roskrish or base colors; brush strokes; line work
Adding highlights and floats
Finishing touches; lines and borders
Making and using shell gold; gold lines over paint
Inscriptions, books, and scrolls
Applying olifa; anointing the finished icon
Landscape, buildings, and furniture in icons
Step by step painting of some recent icons
and JEWELRY and MORE ART by BETSY PORTER
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