BEGIN WITH CHRIST

LEARN TRADITIONAL BYZANTINE ICONOGRAPHY IN TORONTO

Study the traditional technique of icon painting in a working Byzantine icon studio.

Currently our studio offers in person icon painting education. During the course of 7-9 painting sessions a student has a complete guidance through the process starting from white board to the finished gilded and varnished icon.

This is a unique way to learn and create an icon for yourself your family or loved one.

The best prototype to begin with for icon painting is the icon of Christ with a painted background.

We recommend beginning with this straightforward prototype because it allows you to become familiar with the traditional process and build confidence before moving on to more complex icons. Painters with previous iconography experience are welcome to work on more complex prototype.

THE ICON PAINTING COURSE

This course provides a complete, guided process from transferring the drawing and painting the icon to gilding and varnishing.

MATERIALS PROVIDED

• brushes

• Byzantine palette paints

• Prototype of the icon

• 23-karat gold leaf for the halo and embellishments

• Varnish

ICON BOARD

Icon has to be painted on a durable material that withstands time. A solid wood icon board with raised borders, 9 × 12 inches, is available, price $130.

Alternatively, students may purchase a masonite board from artstores or bring their own icon style board.

CLASS STRUCTURE

• Each class is approximately 2.5–3 hours.

• Completion typically requires 7-9 sessions.

• If additional time is needed, that is perfectly fine. The course fee remains the same because art takes as much time as it needs.

THE PROTOTYPE

The prototype used for this course is based on a beautiful 15th-century icon of Christ Pantocrator from the Novgorod School.

Below, you can see the prototype alongside a recent icon of the Mother of God and Child painted by Ksenia on the same type of icon board that students will use during the course.

LOCATION

Private instruction takes place in midtown Toronto.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

You don’t have to be an artist to learn how to write an icon.

Beginners are welcome.
No previous experience in iconography is required.

For artists and experienced painters:
Develop your understanding of traditional Byzantine technique and materials.

For clergy and church educators:
Explore the relationship between iconography, theology and liturgical tradition.

For existing iconographers:
Deepen your technical knowledge and receive individual guidance.

YOUR TEACHER

Ksenia Sapunkova

Ksenia Sapunkova is a Toronto-based iconographer whose work is rooted in the traditional Byzantine tradition. She began her professional training in iconography in Toronto as apprentice under the guidance of Fr. Theodore Koufos and Valentin Streltsov in 2008 and has worked full-time in the Byzantine Icon Studio since 2014. Alongside her formal education in illustration and Sculpture, Ksenia gained years of hands-on experience creating church murals, sanctuary decorations, and traditional icon panels. Today, she shares this knowledge through personal instruction, guiding each student through the traditional process of writing an icon with patience, attention to detail, and deep respect for the spiritual and artistic tradition behind the work.

OUR TESTIMONIALS & EXAMPLES OF STUDENTS’ WORK

What our students share about their icon painting experience at our studio:

Taking an iconography class with Ksenia was a wonderful journey. Being in the studio with her allowed me to appreciate her deep respect for the spiritual and technical traditions of icon painting. She explains every technique, from the base layers to the gold leaf and fine highlights with absolute clarity. Her hands-on encouragement kept me motivated throughout the entire process. Highly recommended for anyone interested in learning this sacred art in person!

- Vladimir, Toronto

I was very fortunate to discover the wonderful art teacher Ksenia from Byzantine Icon Studio.  I was very nervous about writing an icon because I do not have any artistic ability and I have no background in art but working  with the very talented teacher Ksenia, she taught me a step by step technique of writing an icon.  Ksenia is an excellent teacher.  She is very patient and with her support and encouragement, I was able to write a beautiful icon.  If you have the desire and even if you do not have any art experience, I highly recommend that you contact this amazing art teacher.

- Vesna, Toronto

I am incredibly grateful to Ksenia Sapunkova for her guidance and patience throughout my icon writing lessons. Learning to write an icon of Christ Pantocrator was a truly meaningful and transformative experience for me.

With Ksenia’s instruction, encouragement, patience, and deep knowledge of the iconographic tradition, I was able to fulfill a dream that was very close to my heart: to write an icon of Christ for my daughters. What made this experience even more special was having the icon blessed on Mount Athos. When I shared my hope of doing so, Ksenia not only ensured that my icon would be ready on time but also that every detail followed the traditions of the original iconographers.

This was so much more than learning a painting technique. It was a spiritual journey that required patience, attention, prayer, and love. Ksenia created a wonderful environment in which I felt supported every step of the way, while also respecting the sacred nature and tradition of iconography.

I am deeply thankful to Ksenia for helping me bring this dream to life. I will treasure this experience and the icon I created for my daughters for the rest of my life. I wholeheartedly recommend Ksenia’s lessons to anyone who feels called to learn the beautiful and sacred art of icon writing.

- Giota C.

ICON PAINTING COURSES

Pricing plan

CHRIST PANTOCRATOR / PATRON SAINT

One figure • Painted background

A complete guided course in writing the icon of Christ Pantocrator or a patron saint of your choice from the initial drawing through painting and finishing.

7–9 private sessions
$1,400 +hst

recommended board size 9X12 in.

23 kt GOLD BACKGROUND

+$180

If you have any additional questions about the course, materials, or the process of learning iconography, please feel free to contact us via form below or call 647.928.7602.

IF YOU ARE READY TO BEGIN STUDYING IN A WORKING ICONOGRAPHY STUDIO
please contact us for availability to schedule your first session.

In Christ,
Ksenia et al