Byzantine Icon Painting Masterclass
Monday 12th October - Friday 16th October 2026. Non-Residential 10am-4pm
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
Cancellation Policy
Booking & Cancellation Policy Payment Options You can pay in full at the time of booking via card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal, or choose to pay a 25% deposit and pay the remaining balance 45 days before the event. Cash payment can be made in person at the school, shop or venue. Deposits A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place on Workshops, Courses and Residentials. This deposit is non-refundable in all circumstances. Balance Due If you pay by deposit, the remaining 75% balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the start date. We will send you a reminder email with a payment link. Courses & Workshops More than 8 weeks before start: Full refund minus £20 admin fee. 4–8 weeks before: 70% refund. 2–4 weeks before: 50% refund. Less than 2 weeks before or after start: No refund.