Creative · Beginner
Paint your first traditional icon step by step, from home
A structured video programme rooted in Russian and Byzantine tradition, for people who want to learn icon painting without attending a workshop.
- Full HD step-by-step video lessons
- Practical tasks in every module
- Learn at your own pace
- Four months of access
- 14-day refund policy
Why icon painting feels so hard to start
Many people dream of painting an icon but never begin. The craft looks like a closed world: unfamiliar materials, a strict canon, layered techniques and a vocabulary that nobody explains. Workshops are often held in one city, at fixed times, and not everyone can travel to them.
Others started once, then stopped. Without a clear order of steps it is easy to get lost between preparing the board, transferring the drawing, laying the first colours and finishing the details. A single unclear stage can leave an unfinished panel in a drawer for years.
This course was designed to remove that uncertainty. It describes every stage of the work in detail, from preparing your workspace to completing the first painted images, and it follows the logic of traditional Russian and Byzantine painting rather than shortcuts.
Because the lessons are recorded in Full HD, you can watch the brush, the pigment and the layering up close, pause at any moment and repeat a technique as many times as you need during your access period.
What you will be able to do
- Prepare your materials and workspace
Understand what you need, why each item matters and how to arrange it.
- Transfer and refine a drawing
Move a design onto the panel cleanly and keep its lines accurate.
- Lay colour in traditional layers
Build tone gradually, from the base layer to the lights.
- Paint landscape elements in icon style
Render rocks, caves, water and plants following the traditional approach.
- Work with patterns, fabrics and ornaments
Depict textiles, decorative details and jewels with confidence.
- Control brush pressure and paint consistency
Get smooth transitions instead of patchy colour.
- Follow a complete icon workflow
Know what comes next at every stage so you never stall.
- Review your own work critically
Describe what you did in each task and spot what to improve.
- 6
- modules
- 24
- video lessons
- 4 months
- of access
- Full HD
- video quality
Learning by doing, one fragment at a time
Icon painting is built from small, repeatable skills. Instead of asking you to attempt a whole image on day one, the course breaks the craft into focused exercises: a colour swatch sheet, a patch of rocks, a wave of water, a drapery fold, a decorative border.
Each exercise is demonstrated in real time and followed by a practical task. By the time you start your first complete work, the individual techniques already feel familiar.
- Watch the full demonstration first
- Repeat the technique on a practice sheet
- Compare your result with the lesson
- Attach your result and notes to the lesson answer
How the course works
The lessons are pre-recorded in Full HD, so you can start whenever you are ready and study at the pace that suits your week. You can rewatch any lesson as many times as you like while your access is active.
Every module contains practical tasks. You complete them with your own materials, then attach the results together with a short comment about what you learned to your answer in the lesson. This habit of describing your work makes progress visible and keeps you honest about what still needs practice.
You buy the art materials yourself. A full materials list comes with the course, and it is possible to order everything in one place from a specialist shop for icon painters with delivery. Your access lasts four months, which is designed to leave some spare time for most learners, and paid extension is available at a reduced rate if you need longer.
The programme
Six modules that move from preparation and drawing to colour, landscape elements, fabrics and a complete practice work.
1Module 1 — Getting readyUnderstand the tradition, the materials and your workspace.4 lessons
- The tradition of Russian and Byzantine icon painting
- Materials and tools: what to buy and why
- Setting up your workspace and brushes
- Preparing the board for work
2Module 2 — Drawing and transferCreate a clean, accurate drawing on your panel.4 lessons
- Proportions and the logic of the composition
- Preparing the drawing for transfer
- Transferring the drawing to the panel
- Refining and fixing the outline
3Module 3 — Colour and pigmentsLearn how paint behaves and how to mix it.4 lessons
- Working with pigments and binders
- Mixing the basic palette
- Making a colour swatch sheet
- Controlling paint consistency on the brush
4Module 4 — Landscape elementsPaint rocks, caves, water and plants in icon style.4 lessons
- Rocks and hills in layers
- Caves and shadows
- Water and waves
- Plants and trees
5Module 5 — Patterns, fabrics and detailsAdd decorative richness to your work.4 lessons
- Drapery and highlights
- Patterned fabric and borders
- Ornaments and decorative lines
- Gems and metal details
6Module 6 — Bringing the work togetherCombine your skills into a finished practice piece.4 lessons
- Planning the order of work
- Building the final layers
- Finishing touches and corrections
- Reviewing your work and choosing your next project
What you get
- Step-by-step Full HD video lessons
Detailed demonstrations of every stage of the work.
- Practical tasks in each module
Exercises designed to turn watching into skill.
- A full materials list
Know exactly what to buy before you begin.
- Flexible pace
Study when it suits you, anywhere in the world.
- Four months of access
Replay lessons as often as you need during this period.
- Optional reduced-rate extension
Extend access without buying the course again.
- 14-day refund policy
Try the course with a clear safety net.
Is this course for you?
This course is for you if…
- You want to learn icon painting but do not know where to start
- You began painting icons before and stopped, and want a clear path back
- You cannot attend a workshop in person
- You already paint and want to strengthen your fundamentals
- You enjoy patient, detailed handwork
Probably not a fit if…
- You are looking for a quick result without regular practice
- You want live one-to-one tuition rather than recorded lessons
- You do not want to buy art materials yourself
- You expect to master the craft in a weekend
After the course
When you finish, you will understand how a traditional icon is built from the first line to the last highlight. The terms, the materials and the order of work will no longer feel mysterious.
You will have a set of practice sheets and a finished piece that show your progress, and a clear sense of which techniques you want to deepen next.
Most importantly, you will have a working routine. You will know how to set up your space, plan a session and keep going when a stage feels difficult, which is what makes it possible to carry on with larger projects.
Questions before you buy
How much time do I need each week?
The course is self-paced, so it is up to you. Many learners set aside a few hours a week for watching and practice. Access lasts four months, which leaves room for most schedules.
Do I need any previous experience?
No. The programme starts with materials and basic techniques, so complete beginners can follow it. Some drawing experience is helpful but not required.
How does access work after payment?
After payment you receive access to the course on the learning platform. You can start straight away and watch the lessons whenever you like during your access period.
What is your refund policy?
You can request a full refund within 14 days of purchase if the course is not what you expected.
What format are the lessons in?
They are pre-recorded Full HD video lessons with practical tasks. You can pause and replay them as often as you want.
Does the material stay available?
You can use the course for the full four-month access period. If you need more time, a reduced-rate extension is available so you do not have to buy the course again.
Do I need to buy art materials?
Yes. You buy the materials yourself, and the course provides a complete list. You can order everything in one place from a specialist icon painting supplier.
What if I fall behind?
The programme leaves spare time, but if you need longer you can extend your access at a reduced rate as many times as necessary.
Start your first icon this week
Get the lessons, the materials list and four months of flexible access.