By the ancient Byzantine canons, icons are made in the same way today as over ten centuries ago (in fact, the Holy Apostle Luke painted the first icons of the Theotokos after Pentecost, in the first year following Christ's Resurrection; it is a fact that speaks of the history of iconography being as old as the history of the Church).
With respect to painting technique and the dominant shades of colour, icon painters follow two of the most distinguished schools (techniques, trends) in iconography: the Cretan School or the Macedonian School.
The icon can be studied from several aspects: history of icon painting, theology of the icon, colour symbolism, painting techniques...
Iconpainting in the monastic iconographic ateliers in the Strumica diocese has maintained the method of eye tempera, that uses pigments of natural origin. In accordance with the technique, icons are painted on wood of good quality, most often on walnut, lime, oak, ash, chestnut, and cherry.
The icons are with double gilding, most often of 24 ct. gold. The sizes of the icons (with one or two images) that can be ordered can be the following:
1. А4 format (20x30 cm; 22x29 cm) - 350 euro
2. А3 format (30x40 cm; 32x40 cm) - 700 euro
3. А2 format (40x60 cm; 44x60 cm) - 1200 euro
The postage is not included in the price.
For icons that depict scenes with several iconic faces (for ex. Nativity of Christ, Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, scenes from the life of any saint, and other) the price is risen for 100 euro per icon.
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