Palekh Class

It is hard to believe that we get to take our classes in such a beautiful place.  In the photo above, you are able to see the view that I have from my working table.  Our classroom is filled with amazing artwork.  Below you can see an Iconostasis that was created by both students and teachers.  It is quite impressive!

Our first few days of class have been very intense.  We have been learning about the history of icon painting, the process and creation of black lacquered boxes/items, and the traditional process of mixing egg tempura paint.  Each and every step in the creation of a Palekh painting is very time consuming and specific.  Both Melissa and I thoroughly enjoyed learning how to mix the traditional paint.  First, you make a small opening at the top of an egg using a small spoon.  You then pour the egg into the palm of your hand and repeatedly pass the yolk from one hand to the next, removing all of the egg white.  Then, you delicately open the yolk sack and empty the contents into a jar.  We learned that you need to keep the egg shell to use for a measuring device.  After you have emptied the yolk into the jar, you add a water and vinegar mixture into the yolk.  We were surprised that you have to taste the vinegar mixture to make sure that it is properly mixed!  We measured the vinegar mixture using the egg shell.  After you stir the mixture, this is called "emulsion".  We used a pestle on matted glass to combine the emulsion with powdered pigment.  And.......we have paint!!!

Our instructor makes sure to show us examples every class period.  The college has a large collection of Russian Miniature painting and we feel very lucky to get to view these works "up close and personal".  In the example below, you can see the process of adding color and value to a painting.  

Melissa and I were able to begin the process of painting white onto our lacquered brooches.  As you can see in the photographs, our brooches are very, very, very small!  We had to do quite a bit of preparation before this stage, but I don't want to bore you with all of the details!  Our class periods are five hours long and by the end of the class, it becomes very hard to control your hand/brush.

The process of painting white took us about 4 hours.  We were very happy to get up and walk around.  

I have found that it helps to prop my painting hand up with my left hand.  This allows me to paint a thinner line and with more control.  We add white to most of the areas that will be painted with color.  This will allow the colored areas to "pop" against the black background.  Our instructor taught us to test the paint on our hand.  Below is a picture of my hand at the end of the day!

To the right you can see an image of our white brooches at the end of the day.  Progress!!