Customer Reviews

A Brush With God: An Icon Workbook

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On the plus side:
The author is quite specific about the materials and paints that you will need to complete the projects, and he gives many resources in the appendix for obtaining the materials.

The writing style is quite engaging, I wasn't ever "bored" reading through the book.

There are color illustrations in the middle of the book of what some icons look like when they are completed.

He really does attempt to go step-by-step in the project area. For the most part, the instructions of what to do is very detailed. *How* to do it, is mostly, but not always as detailed. A person with experience painting wouldn't have nearly as much trouble as someone who was just starting out.

On the minus side:
The biggest problem with the book is that although he goes step-by-step, he uses a lot of words, and not enough pictures. There are not enough illustrations in the book to see exactly how things are supposed to look like at each stage of painting. Most of the illustrations that do exist are black-and-white, which are only slightly helpful.

He frequently mentions several different styles, "Greek Style", "Russian Style", "Coptic Style", and "Contemporary" style, but there are very few examples of these styles. Having a few next to the descriptions would have been very good.

Worse, in the project area, he appears to give you the option of painting in either style, but with no illustrations of what the project would look like in each style. And for the step-by-step area, it isn't clear whether the steps he is giving is for the Greek or the Russian style, or a mixture of both.

There are 3 icons that are described step-by-step. After reading the book, I still don't feel very confident about trying it out. There simply isn't enough illustrations at each step to help you figure out whether you are on-track or not. Maybe instead of a book, a video would have been better.

I'm a partisan reviewer: I've had the privilege of taking several iconography workshops with Peter Pearson, who teaches icon painting with clarity and reverent delight. This book captures both the content and style of his workshops. He adds just enough theory, theology, and history to provide a context for this instruction manual for icon painting.

Pearson includes general instructions as well as specific ones for three icons (Christ, The Virgin of Vladimir, Saint Nicholas). Note: Pearson is a contemporary American iconographer who uses acrylic medium instead of traditional egg tempera.

The publisher has wisely and generously, considering the condition of the publishing industry, included color plates of Pearson's work.Throughout (in sidebars) are Pearson's musings about the process and his encounters with the images. These features make his book much more than a workbook. It will appeal to iconophiles who have no intention of picking up a paintbrush, as well as to those who already have.

I have been blessed with many generous teachers, both spiritual and otherwise. As this book helps prove, Peter Pearson is one of the most generous, not only in passing to us the technique and prayer of writing an icon, but in challenging us to 'be'. One of the great gifts of humanity, I believe, is this transmitting of experience to others. If you have an interest in icons, or are even just a bit curious about them, read this book. If you have this interest and the desire to write an icon, read this book. If you have been to an icon workshop/retreat, I don't even have to tell you to read this book, but I will tell you that it has all those things we wish we could remember, or wish we could have written down while there. It has the author's voice and you will be better for hearing it.

This nice little volume gives enough background to get you started on both creating and appreciating icons. Whether you just want a deeper appreciation for the artistic aspects or a deeper appreciation of the spiritual disciplines associated with icons, this is wonderful place to start. It includes several colorful plates in the center to provide good examples or starting points for you own artistic exploration.

The text is well written, concise, and clear. Chapters are arranged to first give you an appreciation of the spiritual connection icons can help fulfill. It is a brief introduction to a vast topic but one you will want to gain deeper understanding of their purpose. Then the author briefly describes some of the artistic nuances and differences in Russian, Greek, and Coptic styles that will give you more to ponder as an artist. With that brief overview of background information, the author then takes you through the technical aspects of creating several icons youself. The instructions are clear and step-by-step so they are easy to follow. Ultimately, practice will yield results. You will not likely create a priceless gem on your first try but the instructions are enough to give you a good start. And the more practice, the better you will be.

There are several little tidbits of added information in the Appendixes for further study and appreciation. All of this in so few pages might seem impossible. However, this thin little book is loaded with a broad view that does not sacrifice too much in depth. It is a perfect introduction to the topic and very well done. The author clearly loves the topic and conveys that passion in an infectious manner. An enjoyable read even if you never pick up a brush. The understanding of the spiritual, artistic, and technical aspects will provide greater appreciation of this art form enriching your life with beauty.

I love this book! I created the icon of St. Nicholas using the books instructions, and got positive feed back on it from my "extremely honest" family and friends. The materials required are readily available and the directions are clear. Most importantly, the spiritual experience during the process was incredible. I can't wait to do the other two icons in the book. However, I do believe you need to be confident in your artistic skills to be successful and avoid frustration. My only criticism is the lack of pictorial examples. I had to refer to another book to understand the difference between the Greek and Russian style.

What a gem of a book! This little text introduces the concepts behind icons and then puts you in charge with step by step instructions for writing icons with (spiritual) attitude. For artists who wish to try iconic art, but also for anyone attracted to icons, this book will bring an inside-out appreciation of visual prayer.

I do not paint in acrylic, and I do not follow the rules of Russian iconography. Even so, I use this book. I'm sorry to say it, but the author's work is not my taste. Even so, I use this book. It gives good general instructions in iconography, as well as step-by-step instructions of particular projects. The three projects are Christ's head and shoulders (a somewhat simpler version of what is on the cover), Vladimir Mother of God, and St. Nicholas (not to worry-- he does not look at all like Santa). The projects include a line drawing you can trace and transfer to your board, color names of the paints needed, and maps of the layers of highlights used to give dimension to the figures. I use his book for general information, for the halo template and placement, and especially for the color-mixing recipes because the author likes to keep his colors transparent and does not lighten his colors with white except in the final highlight. He gives a list of supplies you will need, directions for preparing panels, color symbology of icons, and even a project for kids to make their own icon. He thoroughly discusses the spiritual aspects of painting icons and praying with them. I especially enjoyed his thoughts on how praying with the help of icons is not related to idolatry, any more than praying with words is idolatry: "Pictures and words are symbolic representations that help us connect with physical or spiritual reality; they're not the realities to which they point. Why, then, are verbal images so much more worthy than pictorial forms of bearing divine presence?" p. 62

Where there does not seem to be enough information for the student of the traditional icon is in the placement of the figures relative to the positioning grid. I understand Russian icons must fall along particular diagonals. The author suggests students learn about these rules by tracing a print of an old icon. I would have liked for him to say more about how they are designed.

I am an embroiderer, not a painter, nor icon writer, so I will avoid the egg wars. This book has vital information for a start into the understanding of iconography, spirituality and tradition that I can learn to use in embroidery. Fr Peter himself and the book in particular are very helpful in my journey. AnneG in NC

This is an outstanding book. I am new to iconography and found the instructions easy to understand and follow. The author not only provides clear and concise instructions on how to "write" an icon, but also explains the methodology used and the underlying spiritual meaning. Great book. I highly recommend it. Easy to read and very informative.

This is a small book and an amazing one at the same time. It manages to squeeze a lot of information in a small space. Yet the images are large enough to really examine and enjoy. There is good explanation of icon writing
as well as some interesting comparisons of Byzantine and Greek imagery. Print size is ample, colors are good.
I would recommend this book to anyone beginning a journey towards understanding icons.