TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Course Syllabus
ART 224E Byzantine Iconography
(3 sem. hr.)
Summer 2016
Instructor: Vladimir Blagonadezhdin
Date: June 13 – 17, 2016 (Monday - Friday)
Time: 8:30AM-4:00PM
Location: RNT 136
Due Date for Assignments: June 17
Prerequisites: None
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A studio course teaching how to make religious icons in the Byzantine tradition. Students are led through the preparation of the icon support, background, egg emulsion, pigments, and gold leaf application. Traces the historical and theological basis for icons, divine rules, and prayers for iconographers.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students will:
- work with traditional materials, recipes and methods used by ancient and modern artists
- create icons using the egg tempera technique
- understand and demonstrate the use of color transparency, calligraphy, gold leaf application, and gold painting;
- understand the preparation of egg tempera for dry pigments and other paints;
- learn why and how, from ancient times, eggs, vodka, garlic, beer, vinegar, chalk, and animal glue were used for iconography;
- show understanding through application in paintings how to apply transparent thin layers of paint using the puddle and brushstroke techniques in order to use color and transparency to create a glowing effect;
- prepare paint from natural gold and how to apply varnish by hand on the finished painted surfaces;
- develop an understanding, and analyze aspects of the theory and history of iconography.
REQUIRED TEXT(S):
Packet of reading material available at university bookstore.
MATERIALS:
All equipment and materials (gessoed wooden panels, gold leaf, pigment, brushes, etc) are provided by the instructor covered by the additional fee payment.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students must attend each class without exception.
DETERMINATION OF FINAL SEMESTER GRADE
Classwork / 50 / %- First icon
- Skill in painting icon
- Effort (how student handles materials, following instructions, attitude)
- Focus( attitude, confident, not noisy, spiritual awareness/understanding of the colours/icon, quality of questions asked)
Homework / 50 / %
- Final icon (final icon is the final exam)
TOTAL
/ 100 / %GRADING SYSTEM
The grading system used can be found in the Trinity Western University Academic Calendar
LATE ASSIGNMENTS POLICY
Late assignments are not accepted.
PROPOSED COURSE OUTLINE:
DAY 1
Lecture on theory of iconography, usage of traditional materials, tools, paint, varnishing technique, and students choose subject and composition for their icon.
DAY 2
Continued application of base colors using the puddle technique and further application of additional layers of color
Learn about transparency of egg tempera paint and the ultimate effect that is to be strived for; learn about importance of consistency (thickness/thinness) of the paint in achieving the desired effect.
Learn about calligraphy of lines in iconography
DAY 3
Emphasis on practicing the technique of calligraphy in iconography, painting lines using egg tempera paint, ink, and gold paint
Learn about how to use different consistencies of paint and different techniques when doing calligraphic lines with egg tempera paint, ink and gold paint
DAY 4
Learn "brushstroke technique" and importance of consistency and transparency for different colors and different paints
Learn about the technique of application using the brushstroke technique with respect to different colors and light effect
Calligraphy of lines, ornament and lettering
Technique of painting traditional Byzantine jewelry
DAY 5
Continuation of painting using brushstroke technique
Completion of painting, correction of mistakes
Traditional method of varnish application by hand over the painted surface, completion of the icons
CAMPUS CLOSURE POLICY
In the event of deteriorating weather conditions overnight or other emergency situations, every effort will be made to communicate information regarding the cancellation of classes to the radio stations CKNW (980 AM), CKWX (1130 AM), MAX (850 AM), PRAISE (106.5 FM) and KARI (550 AM) by 6:30 a.m., and an announcement will be placed on the University’s switchboard (604-888-7511) and website (http://www.twu.ca/conditions/). The first announcement regarding a closure will cover the period up to 1:00 p.m. only. If classes are to be cancelled beyond 1:00 p.m., this decision will be announced by the same means before 11:00 a.m. that day. Students and faculty should assume that all night classes will continue to operate. If the emergency continues into the evening, students and faculty may check for a closure notice on the University’s switchboard and website after 3:00 p.m. that day.
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
"Plagiarism (from a Latin word for "kidnapper") is the presentation of someone else's ideas or words as one's own. Whether deliberate or accidental, plaigiarism is a serious and often punishable offence" (The Little Brown Handbook, 2nd Candian Edition, p. 555). In cases of academic dishonesty, the University policy outlined in the Academic Calendar will be enforced.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities need to provide documentation to the Equity of Access Office, arrange specific accommodations with the Academic Disability Liaison, and identify themselves to professors. These steps should be taken in the first two weeks of classes. Students who neglect these actions may reduce the University’s ability to provide the accommodations in a timely manner. Please contact the Equity of Access Office (ext. 3404; ).