A Brush with God: An Icon Workbook

I do not paint in acrylic, and I do not follow the rules of Russian iconography. Even so, I use this book. I'm sorry to say it, but the author's work is not my taste. Even so, I use this book. It gives good general instructions in iconography, as well as step-by-step instructions of particular projects. The three projects are Christ's head and shoulders (a somewhat simpler version of what is on the cover), Vladimir Mother of God, and St. Nicholas (not to worry-- he does not look at all like Santa). The projects include a line drawing you can trace and transfer to your board, color names of the paints needed, and maps of the layers of highlights used to give dimension to the figures. I use his book for general information, for the halo template and placement, and especially for the color-mixing recipes because the author likes to keep his colors transparent and does not lighten his colors with white except in the final highlight. He gives a list of supplies you will need, directions for preparing panels, color symbology of icons, and even a project for kids to make their own icon. He thoroughly discusses the spiritual aspects of painting icons and praying with them. I especially enjoyed his thoughts on how praying with the help of icons is not related to idolatry, any more than praying with words is idolatry: "Pictures and words are symbolic representations that help us connect with physical or spiritual reality; they're not the realities to which they point. Why, then, are verbal images so much more worthy than pictorial forms of bearing divine presence?" p. 62Where there does not seem to be enough information for the student of the traditional icon is in the placement of the figures relative to the positioning grid. I understand Russian icons must fall along particular diagonals. The author suggests students learn about these rules by tracing a print of an old icon. I would have liked for him to say more about how they are designed.

On the plus side:The author is quite specific about the materials and paints that you will need to complete the projects, and he gives many resources in the appendix for obtaining the materials.The writing style is quite engaging, I wasn't ever "bored" reading through the book.There are color illustrations in the middle of the book of what some icons look like when they are completed.He really does attempt to go step-by-step in the project area. For the most part, the instructions of what to do is very detailed. *How* to do it, is mostly, but not always as detailed. A person with experience painting wouldn't have nearly as much trouble as someone who was just starting out.On the minus side:The biggest problem with the book is that although he goes step-by-step, he uses a lot of words, and not enough pictures. There are not enough illustrations in the book to see exactly how things are supposed to look like at each stage of painting. Most of the illustrations that do exist are black-and-white, which are only slightly helpful.He frequently mentions several different styles, "Greek Style", "Russian Style", "Coptic Style", and "Contemporary" style, but there are very few examples of these styles. Having a few next to the descriptions would have been very good.Worse, in the project area, he appears to give you the option of painting in either style, but with no illustrations of what the project would look like in each style. And for the step-by-step area, it isn't clear whether the steps he is giving is for the Greek or the Russian style, or a mixture of both.There are 3 icons that are described step-by-step. After reading the book, I still don't feel very confident about trying it out. There simply isn't enough illustrations at each step to help you figure out whether you are on-track or not. Maybe instead of a book, a video would have been better.

The first few chapters were engaging and talked about the significance and mystery of icons in both the corporate liturgical realm and that of the heart. Pearson does everything he can to convey to the reader how to prepare for icon writing in the historical context but then sadly, forgoes tradition for modern techniques that are not thoroughly explained for a nervous beginner.I should mention, that I come from the Antiochian Orthodox church and I find a few discrepancies in the historical context, but overall it's firm. Also I just don't see how this can be used effectively. Its lack of details is impractical for both those who want to pursue iconography professionally or even those young children that simply want to learn something new. The book come off as more of a lacking encyclopedia rather than a how to. The details provided are more lacking than even a simple google search would provide in a few clicks.If you want to do this traditionally Orthodox, this isn't the book for you. Yes, some do iconography in other manners, such as mixing small quantities of pigments with linseed oil (which is really just oil paints) on the day of and we aso accept printed copies glued onto fiberboard. Does this diminish our experience with God? I hope not. But are we not called to hold fast to the traditions of word and epistle? There is a beauty and joy in traditional icon work and I wish this book grasped that. That said, if Pearson could- I would recommend some serious additons so that children could enjoy it. More pictures including in progress ones, blending techniques, layering, brush work and methods, gesso type and more.For those wanting to do things in the eastern orthodox way, skip this and go for the prosopon DVD series. Also, a great supply list for egg tempera pigments can be found on Betsy porter's website. She also has a lot of great supply links. As for red clay bole I would use it either premixed or dispersed and added with Titebond hide glue and a drop of honey. Also, the agate burnishers here on amazon are a great deal.Anyhow, this is just my opinion.

ho hum

very pleased

very happy with the icon workbook - i'm new to this field of beautiful art and have done some work in water colored pencil and gold wax with some success in a more contemporary style, and the book you sent, was detailed and very helpful in explaining the history and methods used . thank you so much. and again it was delivered in record time ...lisa

Get it

What a ghastly book. Insulting to Orthodox tradition and cheapening faith by trite and insincere language.Poor ikonography throughout - a total waste of money.