To make an order
The process of icon painting
The family icon painting workshop by Sergey Cherniy uses linden wood panels with splines for icon painting. The icon panel has got a recessed area in the front surface. The depth of the recess and the angle of the slanting edge around it are customized according to the client’s needs. The canvas is glued to the panel and then grounded with gesso. Our workshop uses only organic glue in accordance with ancient traditions. For icon painting we choose natural mineral pigments, the majority of them are semiprecious stones like lapis lazuli, azurite, dioptase etc. First we grind them with a pestle and mortar, then use them for painting adding natural tempera (egg yolk blended with white wine) which serves as a binding agent. If we gild the field or nimbi, then we use gold leaf of the highest standard or silver leaf. Our family workshop has been into icon painting for more than 30 years and along with frescos it is the most important thing that we do in life, our favorite art form and participation in the life of church as well as spreading the God’s words among people.
The process of icon painting
The family icon painting workshop by Sergey Cherniy uses linden wood panels with splines for icon painting. The icon panel has got a recessed area in the front surface. The depth of the recess and the angle of the slanting edge around it are customized according to the client's needs. The canvas is glued to the panel and then grounded with gesso. Our workshop uses only organic glue in accordance with ancient traditions. For icon painting we choose natural mineral pigments, the majority of them are semiprecious stones like lapis lazuli, azurite, dioptase etc. First we grind them with a pestle and mortar, then use them for painting adding natural tempera (egg yolk blended with white wine) which serves as a binding agent. If we gild the field or nimbi, then we use gold leaf of the highest standard or silver leaf. Our family workshop has been into icon painting for more than 30 years and along with frescos it is the most important thing that we do in life, our favorite art form and participation in the life of church as well as spreading the God's words among people.
Main types of icons
Our workshop takes orders for painting of different types of icons:
- Icons for iconostases and icon-cases;
- "mernaya" icons (a special type of orthodox icons presented to kids after taking baptism)
- family icons;
- wedding icons;
- icons for family happiness;
- icons for home iconostases and the prayer corner carved or decorated with repoussé riza.
Wedding icon
A couple of icons for a wedding ceremony are an icon of the Saviour and an icon of the Virgin Mary. A wedding icon accompanies the married couple during their whole life. This icon is for the family happiness. It depicts the patron saints of the marriage, thematically related to marital love and parents' love, so that they will accompany married couples throughout their life, inspiring them to pray, strengthening their love and faithfulness, bringing beauty to their homes.
According to client's needs the icon may have a different shape, a golden, silver or colored background and different types of ornament.
According to client's needs the icon may have a different shape, a golden, silver or colored background and different types of ornament.
"Mernaya" icon
A "mernaya" icon is painted for a newborn baby according to his or her height (Russian word "mernaya" means "measured"). It depicts the Patron Saint, after whom the baby is named.
Parents of a baby may choose the shape of "mernaya" icon: it can be right-angled, with a curved top or domed. The background may be of different colours: golden, silver or colored. An icon of the Saint may be engraved on a golden background, made in a carved icon-case or decorated with basma or jeweled cover.
Parents of a baby may choose the shape of "mernaya" icon: it can be right-angled, with a curved top or domed. The background may be of different colours: golden, silver or colored. An icon of the Saint may be engraved on a golden background, made in a carved icon-case or decorated with basma or jeweled cover.
Family (patronal) icon
A family icon (a patronal icon) depicts patron saints of the family members.
Family icons as well as wedding icons and mernaya icons make up a home iconostasis. Family members gather around the family icon to pray, it unites the family and strengthen relations between spouses, parents and kids.
Family icons as well as wedding icons and mernaya icons make up a home iconostasis. Family members gather around the family icon to pray, it unites the family and strengthen relations between spouses, parents and kids.
New Saints
We take a special interest and responsibility in painting new saints, combining the life-like portrait with traditions of classic iconography.
New saints are the martyrs to Christ who became victims of persecution during anti-religious campaigns from 1917 up to 1955 and later were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
New saints are the martyrs to Christ who became victims of persecution during anti-religious campaigns from 1917 up to 1955 and later were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Main types of icons
Our workshop takes orders for painting of different types of icons:
- Icons for iconostases and icon-cases;
- "mernaya" icons (a special type of orthodox icons presented to kids after taking baptism)
- family icons;
- wedding icons;
- icons for family happiness;
- icons for home iconostases and the prayer corner carved or decorated with repoussé riza.
Wedding icon
A couple of icons for a wedding ceremony are an icon of the Saviour and an icon of the Virgin Mary. A wedding icon accompanies the married couple during their whole life. This icon is for the family happiness. It depicts the patron saints of the marriage, thematically related to marital love and parents' love, so that they will accompany married couples throughout their life, inspiring them to pray, strengthening their love and faithfulness, bringing beauty to their homes.
According to client's needs the icon may have a different shape, a golden, silver or colored background and different types of ornament.
According to client's needs the icon may have a different shape, a golden, silver or colored background and different types of ornament.
"Mernaya" icon
A "mernaya" icon is painted for a newborn baby according to his or her height (Russian word "mernaya" means "measured"). It depicts the Patron Saint, after whom the baby is named.
Parents of a baby may choose the shape of "mernaya" icon: it can be right-angled, with a curved top or domed. The background may be of different colours: golden, silver or colored. An icon of the Saint may be engraved on a golden background, made in a carved icon-case or decorated with basma or jeweled cover.
Parents of a baby may choose the shape of "mernaya" icon: it can be right-angled, with a curved top or domed. The background may be of different colours: golden, silver or colored. An icon of the Saint may be engraved on a golden background, made in a carved icon-case or decorated with basma or jeweled cover.
Family (patronal) icon
A family icon (a patronal icon) depicts patron saints of the family members.
Family icons as well as wedding icons and mernaya icons make up a home iconostasis. Family members gather around the family icon to pray, it unites the family and strengthen relations between spouses, parents and kids.
Family icons as well as wedding icons and mernaya icons make up a home iconostasis. Family members gather around the family icon to pray, it unites the family and strengthen relations between spouses, parents and kids.
New Saints
We take a special interest and responsibility in painting new saints, combining the life-like portrait with traditions of classic iconography.
New saints are the martyrs to Christ who became victims of persecution during anti-religious campaigns from 1917 up to 1955 and later were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
New saints are the martyrs to Christ who became victims of persecution during anti-religious campaigns from 1917 up to 1955 and later were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Order a painted icon
Order a painted icon
FRESCOS
The main aim of the icon painting workshop by Sergey and Olga Cherniy is to bring both outer and spiritual beauty to churches. We design the interiors of churches following all the appropriate church laws and canons of iconography.
The church interior has to be a unified and beautiful architectural ensemble of enchanting beauty. Every part of it including a fresco, an iconostasis, a mosaic floor, an altar stone with credence, icons in cases, church doors and chirchware should fit harmoniously into a unified spiritual concept. The beauty of the church art is a part of the divine service.
The church interior has to be a unified and beautiful architectural ensemble of enchanting beauty. Every part of it including a fresco, an iconostasis, a mosaic floor, an altar stone with credence, icons in cases, church doors and chirchware should fit harmoniously into a unified spiritual concept. The beauty of the church art is a part of the divine service.
Our icon painting workshop carries out all the variety of church interior design works.
Designing the church interior starts with sketching on paper which is showed to a client in order to meet his wishes and make changes if necessary. To achieve the best result the church painting works are often discussed with the archbishop, the priest rector and the board of trustees. After agreeing on all the procedures and time limits the icon painting workshop starts working on the church interior.
At first safe and comfortable scaffolding is designed and erected. Then we begin finishing walls as it directly influences the durability of paintings. After that we move on to the painting of church.
Designing the church interior starts with sketching on paper which is showed to a client in order to meet his wishes and make changes if necessary. To achieve the best result the church painting works are often discussed with the archbishop, the priest rector and the board of trustees. After agreeing on all the procedures and time limits the icon painting workshop starts working on the church interior.
At first safe and comfortable scaffolding is designed and erected. Then we begin finishing walls as it directly influences the durability of paintings. After that we move on to the painting of church.
The main aim of the icon painting workshop by Sergey and Olga Cherniy is to bring both outer and spiritual beauty to churches. We design the interiors of churches following all the appropriate church laws and canons of iconography.
The church interior has to be a unified and beautiful architectural ensemble of enchanting beauty. Every part of it including a fresco, an iconostasis, a mosaic floor, an altar stone with credence, icons in cases, church doors and chirchware should fit harmoniously into a unified spiritual concept. The beauty of the church art is a part of the divine service.
Our icon painting workshop carries out all the variety of church interior design works.
Designing the church interior starts with sketching on paper which is showed to a client in order to meet his wishes and make changes if necessary. To achieve the best result the church painting works are often discussed with the archbishop, the priest rector and the board of trustees. After agreeing on all the procedures and time limits the icon painting workshop starts working on the church interior.
At first safe and comfortable scaffolding is designed and erected. Then we begin finishing walls as it directly influences the durability of paintings. After that we move on to the painting of church.
The church interior has to be a unified and beautiful architectural ensemble of enchanting beauty. Every part of it including a fresco, an iconostasis, a mosaic floor, an altar stone with credence, icons in cases, church doors and chirchware should fit harmoniously into a unified spiritual concept. The beauty of the church art is a part of the divine service.
Our icon painting workshop carries out all the variety of church interior design works.
Designing the church interior starts with sketching on paper which is showed to a client in order to meet his wishes and make changes if necessary. To achieve the best result the church painting works are often discussed with the archbishop, the priest rector and the board of trustees. After agreeing on all the procedures and time limits the icon painting workshop starts working on the church interior.
At first safe and comfortable scaffolding is designed and erected. Then we begin finishing walls as it directly influences the durability of paintings. After that we move on to the painting of church.
Church painting technologies
Our workshop follows classic church traditions while choosing the style: Russian style of XV century, the Byzantine art of Palaiologos dynasty period, XI-XII centuries or Early Christian art.
The icon painting workshop uses top of the line technologies, be it silicate painting with golden or blue lapis lazuli background or fresco painting with natural pigments. Besides, we make marble and wooden iconostases, icon-cases, altars, carve and paint icons.
The result of finished church painting is a single icon, a holy picture of the Kingdom of God. Thus the church congregation led by the parish priest prays and serves the Divine Liturgy surrounded by this icon and their attention is paid to the Holy Face of God as the centre of the spiritual composition, then to the Holy Faces of Saints — the people who devoted their whole life to serving God.
It is important to note that all the painting works done by the icon painting workshop do not prevent a church from conducting its services.
The icon painting workshop uses top of the line technologies, be it silicate painting with golden or blue lapis lazuli background or fresco painting with natural pigments. Besides, we make marble and wooden iconostases, icon-cases, altars, carve and paint icons.
The result of finished church painting is a single icon, a holy picture of the Kingdom of God. Thus the church congregation led by the parish priest prays and serves the Divine Liturgy surrounded by this icon and their attention is paid to the Holy Face of God as the centre of the spiritual composition, then to the Holy Faces of Saints — the people who devoted their whole life to serving God.
It is important to note that all the painting works done by the icon painting workshop do not prevent a church from conducting its services.
Church painting technologies
Our workshop follows classic church traditions while choosing the style: Russian style of XV century, the Byzantine art of Palaiologos dynasty period, XI-XII centuries or Early Christian art.
The icon painting workshop uses top of the line technologies, be it silicate painting with golden or blue lapis lazuli background or fresco painting with natural pigments. Besides, we make marble and wooden iconostases, icon-cases, altars, carve and paint icons.
The result of finished church painting is a single icon, a holy picture of the Kingdom of God. Thus the church congregation led by the parish priest prays and serves the Divine Liturgy surrounded by this icon and their attention is paid to the Holy Face of God as the centre of the spiritual composition, then to the Holy Faces of Saints — the people who devoted their whole life to serving God.
It is important to note that all the painting works done by the icon painting workshop do not prevent a church from conducting its services.
The icon painting workshop uses top of the line technologies, be it silicate painting with golden or blue lapis lazuli background or fresco painting with natural pigments. Besides, we make marble and wooden iconostases, icon-cases, altars, carve and paint icons.
The result of finished church painting is a single icon, a holy picture of the Kingdom of God. Thus the church congregation led by the parish priest prays and serves the Divine Liturgy surrounded by this icon and their attention is paid to the Holy Face of God as the centre of the spiritual composition, then to the Holy Faces of Saints — the people who devoted their whole life to serving God.
It is important to note that all the painting works done by the icon painting workshop do not prevent a church from conducting its services.
Silicate painting
The silicate technology for painting walls was developed by Adolf Wilhelm Keim in 19th century in Germany. It has been tested for more than 200 years both in exterior and interior works. It has much in common with fresco-painting, but the carbonization process here is activated by water glass, which is used as a binding agent in paint, spackling paste and plaster.
The main advantage of silicate painting in comparison with traditional fresco-painting is an ability to paint on a dry surface. As a result we have a composition of the whole big architectural space.
Modern techniques of church building and finished walls often don’t give a chance to paint frescos. In this case silicate paint technology is the best way to paint a church.
One more advantage of silicate paint technology is an opportunity to paint golden backgrounds, golden nimbi and gold hatching on walls that perfectly match blue lapis lazuli backgrounds.
Our family icon painting workshop has got an extensive experience, we design and paint churches using both fresco-painting (based on natural pigments) and silicate painting.
The main advantage of silicate painting in comparison with traditional fresco-painting is an ability to paint on a dry surface. As a result we have a composition of the whole big architectural space.
Modern techniques of church building and finished walls often don’t give a chance to paint frescos. In this case silicate paint technology is the best way to paint a church.
One more advantage of silicate paint technology is an opportunity to paint golden backgrounds, golden nimbi and gold hatching on walls that perfectly match blue lapis lazuli backgrounds.
Our family icon painting workshop has got an extensive experience, we design and paint churches using both fresco-painting (based on natural pigments) and silicate painting.
Silicate painting
The silicate technology for painting walls was developed by Adolf Wilhelm Keim in 19th century in Germany. It has been tested for more than 200 years both in exterior and interior works. It has much in common with fresco-painting, but the carbonization process here is activated by water glass, which is used as a binding agent in paint, spackling paste and plaster.
The main advantage of silicate painting in comparison with traditional fresco-painting is an ability to paint on a dry surface. As a result we have a composition of the whole big architectural space.
Modern techniques of church building and finished walls often don't give a chance to paint frescos. In this case silicate paint technology is the best way to paint a church.
One more advantage of silicate paint technology is an opportunity to paint golden backgrounds, golden nimbi and gold hatching on walls that perfectly match blue lapis lazuli backgrounds.
Our family icon painting workshop has got an extensive experience, we design and paint churches using both fresco-painting (based on natural pigments) and silicate painting.
The main advantage of silicate painting in comparison with traditional fresco-painting is an ability to paint on a dry surface. As a result we have a composition of the whole big architectural space.
Modern techniques of church building and finished walls often don't give a chance to paint frescos. In this case silicate paint technology is the best way to paint a church.
One more advantage of silicate paint technology is an opportunity to paint golden backgrounds, golden nimbi and gold hatching on walls that perfectly match blue lapis lazuli backgrounds.
Our family icon painting workshop has got an extensive experience, we design and paint churches using both fresco-painting (based on natural pigments) and silicate painting.
Order church painting or fresco
Order church painting or fresco
CHURCHWARE
CHURCHWARE
In addition to icons and frescos the family icon painting workshop by Sergey Cherniy takes orders for pectoral crosses, encolpions carved in stone or wood or mounted in a jewelry setting, icons for mitres and Gospel covers.
In addition to icons and frescos the family icon painting workshop by Sergey Cherniy takes orders for pectoral crosses, encolpions carved in stone or wood or mounted in a jewelry setting, icons for mitres and Gospel covers. We also take orders for embroidering, artistic carving, that is to say, we work with all the jewelry techniques related to churchware.
We also take orders for embroidering, artistic carving, that is to say, we work with all the jewelry techniques related to churchware.
MAKE ORDER
To order a painted icon, church painting or fresco, churchware either you have any question about the process and terms, please, send us a mail to olchen2011@yandex.ru.
We will get back to you as soon as possible!
To order a painted icon, church painting or fresco, churchware either you have any question about the process and terms, please, send us a mail to olchen2011@yandex.ru.
We will get back to you as soon as possible!
MAKE ORDER
To order a painted icon, church painting or fresco, churchware either you have any question about the process and terms, please, send us a mail to olchen2011@yandex.ru.
We will get back to you as soon as possible!
To order a painted icon, church painting or fresco, churchware either you have any question about the process and terms, please, send us a mail to olchen2011@yandex.ru.
We will get back to you as soon as possible!
© 2019
The icon painting workshop
by Sergey and Olga Cherniy
The icon painting workshop
by Sergey and Olga Cherniy