PROSOPON SCHOOL STUDIO FOR ADVANCED STUDIES
Sparrow Bush, NY

A newly-opened studio, run by Dmitri and Tatiana Berestov, intended for deeper studies in the iconology of the School and for hosting advanced-level workshops for progress in iconography. The Sparrow Bush studio will aim to host two types of advanced-level workshop to begin with:

“ON-STEP” PROGRAM OF THREE-DAY ADVANCED WORKSHOPS
These short intensive workshops will be dedicated to the honing of the individual steps of the iconographic canon in the Prosopon method. As always, these will be accompanied by explorations of the iconological and anthropological meaning behind each step.

  • for students already familiar with the Prosopon School method and who have previously participated in the full six-day workshops.

  • to be offered as a cycle of workshops throughout the year, on such themes as: drawing, roskrish and floats, second highlight, lining, lettering.

  • please check the general Prosopon schedule of workshops for dates and class descriptions.


“BETWEEN-THE-STEPS” PROGRAM OF ADVANCED WORKSHOPS
These two- or three-day intensive workshops will focus on the “space in between” the individual steps of the painting process. This includes considerations such as: the unity of the steps in the mind of the iconographer; planning out one step in view of what will follow; learning to combine steps of the process wisely; adding the nuances which can make a formally completed icon more powerful. As such, the courses will address the freedom to be discovered “in between” the structure of the iconographic canon. As always, iconology appropriate to each subject will be offered in parallel.

  • for students who have written 5 or more icons with the Prosopon School and who have a firm understanding of the standard steps of the process in the Prosopon instruction.

  • a cycle of workshops on such themes as: • Analysing, visualizing and achieving typical iconic “color spots” • The function of lining: to define objects or to render deepness of tone? • The role of color in highlight paint mixtures • Finishing touches: how to complete an icon?

  • please check the general Prosopon schedule of workshops for future dates and class descriptions.

Between-the-Steps Program, first course:

PROPIS’ AND PRIPLESK:
THE ROLE OF FINAL LINING AND FINAL ‘SPLASHES’ OF FLOAT IN COMPLETING AN ICON
February 9–11, 2026

In several of the coming advanced workshops of this cycle we will try to draw attention to elements of iconography of which the beginner is unaware. For example, color and light are obvious elements, whereas tonal value is commonly ignored. This advanced class will focus on the awareness of the gradations of tone in any individual finished color spot on the icon, and how to build it up. We will examine the role of the final lining (propis’) as a step which not only brings order to the icon, but, importantly, sets in place the deepest tonal value of a color spot. A part of the course will focus on distinguishing tone in ancient examples of icons, in garments and faces. Then, we will paint and build up a color spot exercise reflecting these discoveries. We will introduce the technique of priplesk’, or selective final ‘float-splashes’ which can subtly but dramatically activate areas in the icon which are devoid of highlight or other features. This is a course which helps us understand how to improve the icon in the final stages. Students are encouraged to bring along a few “almost finished” icons on which to test out their newly-acquired skills. The theme will also be seen as rich in iconological content, addressing debated questions such as the existence and role of shadows in the icon and freedom within canon. It is hoped that attention to the “nuances” of icon painting will also bring us closer to a sensitivity towards the subtlety of the Image of God in life. Instructor: Deacon Nikita Andrejev. Please find the posting for this workshop in the Prosopon schedule for practical information.