Iconography Apprenticeship Year 2 & 3 Combined

This 6-Year, homework-intensive course is for students wishing to begin the process of fully training their skills as an iconographer, rather than those seeking to try it out. For a shorter introduction to iconography, see the 10-session Iconography Workshops.

Here’s what parents have to say about the Iconography Apprenticeship:

“It is so much more than an art class. My daughter has been fascinated by the ‘historical art parameters’ within which the art is birthed: the use of egg yolk, rock pigment, champagne chalk, rabbit-skin glue! Making her own gesso board this past summer was like a field trip to a medieval monastery. It is a slow, intricate and meticulous (in the best sense) form of art that teaches the virtue of patience and fosters spiritual ‘breathing’; both the media and the intricate processes give space for the contemplation of the subject matter, which is probably the highest goal of any art, but in this case, of the highest art. In short, that which she works on is, we are witnessing, slowly being worked into her.”

• Scott, parent of a 12-year-old Apprentice

“My son told me after his first class…”I think I found my thing, Mom”. He is 13 and has wanted to be a Roman Catholic Priest since he was 3 years old. Who knows what this will do for his future? Mrs. Sider-Rose is such a patient and encouraging mentor and teacher. She has helped my son to view icons in a more spiritual manner and to pull out the theology in the images. His faith is enriched by the depth of the theology woven into the classes and the process of writing the icons. He is a more virtuous child because of the Iconography classes.

• Jessica, parent of a 13-year-old Apprentice

Student Expectations:
● In addition to weekly classes, students should expect about 60-90 minutes of homework between classes. This homework may include a continuation of the painting as well as the discipline of sketchbook assignments, reading, or practicing on Quizlet.
● The Apprenticeship Year 3 requires a few additional supplies in addition to what was purchased for Years 1 and 2, including a book. Please see the “Course Materials.”
● Each student will complete a Spring Project.

Enrollment Restrictions:
● Students must have completed the preceding Year of the Apprenticeship (either Year 2 or Year 1, depending) and be entering 10th grade.
● The Summer Board Building workshop is recommended before Year 2 and strictly required before Year 3.
● There will be no exceptions to the grade and age thresholds. Students who have been promoted but are unable to work the Apprenticeship into their schedule are invited to consider taking the Iconography Workshops until they can resume the Apprenticeship.

The student who is able to meet the measurable goals of Iconography Apprenticeship Year 3 with its focus on the bust figure, can look forward to a sequence of classes in the Apprenticeship Program, each of which will build on the foundation of the year before. In brief, the levels are:

Iconography III-IV The Bust Figure

Iconography IV The Bust Figure, continued, including the geometry of the bust, clothing highlighting, and more sophisticated gilding techniques, designing an icon of a lesser-known saint or when we have photographs of the canonized saint.

Iconography V-VI-Turned and Standing Figures

Iconography V-VI-Turned and Standing Figures, including the geometry of standing figures as well as the geometry, landscape, and other aspects of festal icons.

Syllabus

Mrs. Sider-Rose’s Syllabus