Byzantine Icon Painting Masterclass
Sunday 11th October - Friday 16th October 2026. Masterclass takes place 10am-4pm Monday to Friday.
Available spaces
Master iconographer and experienced retreat leader Peter Murphy will team up with North Yorks Art School to deliver a five-day Byzantine Icon Painting course at Cober Hill, Scarborough from Sunday 11th October - Friday 16th October 2026. This course is suitable for beginners, but more seasoned artists are welcome. The subject of the course will be an icon of the head of Christ in the traditional Byzantine style. Over the course of the week, students will learn how to gild and paint on a specially prepared wooden panel using traditional medieval techniques and materials. This will include ‘water gilding’, with 24-carat gold leaf over clay bole for backgrounds and halos. Students will also learn how to use egg tempera paint made fresh each day from free range egg yolks. Natural pigments will be used to model robes and figures etc. Course Materials All necessary materials are included in the course fee, ensuring participants have access to high-quality tools and supplies, including: - A handmade, gessoed Serbian lime wood icon panel. - 24-carat gold leaf for gilding. - Organic mineral pigments for paint preparation. - Specialist gilding tools and professional-grade paintbrushes. - Step-by-step worksheets to guide the process. About the Tutor Peter Murphy was born in Leeds and was educated at the University of East London. He trained with iconographer Guillem Ramos Poqui in London. He was Vice Chairman of the Society of Tempera Painters and is a member of the British Association of Iconographers. He has been commissioned by a number of churches in the UK and has also been employed by a number of museums and has recently undertaken three major commissions for Hereford Cathedral. For more information about Peter and his work, please visit: petermurphyicons.co.uk This Masterclass includes a full board five-night stay at Cober Hill, just outside Scarborough. Cober Hill is a Victorian mansion, steeped in history and set in acres of stunning grounds. Check-in from 3pm on Sunday 11th October 2026. Check-out by 10.30am Friday 16th October 2026.
Cancellation Policy
Right to Cancel and Receive Reimbursement The statutory 14-day cooling-off period does not apply to accommodation and leisure services provided on specific dates. We offer the following goodwill policy: Cancellation & Refund Policy: More than 12 weeks before arrival: Full refund minus £30 administration fee per person. 6–12 weeks before arrival: 75% refund. 4–6 weeks before arrival: 50% refund. Less than 4 weeks before arrival: No refund. Cancellations must be made in writing to info@bookaclass.com. Refunds (where due) will be processed within 10 business days. Travel / Holiday Insurance Recommendation We strongly recommend that all participants purchase comprehensive travel or holiday insurance at the time of booking. This should cover cancellation or curtailment, medical expenses, personal belongings, and any other relevant risks. We cannot be held responsible for any losses, damages, or additional costs you may incur due to cancellation, illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances if you do not have adequate insurance in place. Rescheduling: Possible up to 8 weeks before arrival (subject to availability). A £30 administration fee applies for changes made later. Our Right to Cancel: We may cancel a residential stay due to insufficient numbers or force majeure. In such cases we will first offer an alternative date before offering a full refund.