Next Up: Intensive Iconography Course Retreat
CLASS CLOSES WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7, 2026
Please contact me soon if you want to be part of this class. Our focus will be on Saint John Climacus–a most beloved saint.
“Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honor your patience.” ~ John Climacus (St. John of the Ladder)
When: October 16 (Friday), 17 (Saturday), and 24 (Saturday), 2026. 10am to 4pm every day.
Followed by Vespers on Saturday (with confessions) at 6pm and the church service on Sunday at 10am. No class that day.
Cost: $400.00, with a deposit of $100.00 to hold your spot. Seating is limited.
Each class builds on the next, but there will be make-ups available for the last day at the Kalvesmaki’s home in Madison VA. Arrange a time with Colette (Paraskeve) at the class.
St. John Climacus wrote the Ladder of Divine Ascent (quoted above), which is read in our monasteries every Lent, but is a great read any time of year. He was writing to monks so you may need to adapt his advice for your daily life, if you read him, and I recommend you do!
We will work on a prepared clay board in egg tempera. The drawing may vary a bit from the one depicted above, because I want to put a ladder in there…maybe in the title? No gilding for this course. You will need to bring a lunch for all days as restaurants are a bit far and we have a lot to do.
To sign up tap the buttons below.
$100 deposit:
$400 full payment:
Pigments, boards, brushes, rulers, pencils, erasers, lights, palettes, wash jars, etc. . . will be supplied for students to use, but you are welcome to bring whatever supplies you prefer from home. Its suggested you wear clothes to get paint on or an apron. If you have icons you wish to varnish, bring them and we will varnish them while we conduct the class.
Hope you can join us.
For those who are interested in private lessons, I usually teach 1 hour a week or every other week at my home. All supplies are included accept the board which is $12 (Students will slowly buy their own supplies).
After a few icons the student will learn to make their own boards and can bring in a piece of 9 x 12” wood at that time. All the other supplies I will supply. Lessons are $40 an hour.
There will be both drawing and painting in the lessons for the first year as well as homework. Everyone is asked to buy a 11 x 14” mixed medium sketchbook to bring to class and take home.
There is also a reading list which will be added to as the books are read and discussed.
After the student can paint longer on their own they can have longer lessons, most ask for 2 hour lessons. Usually takes about a year.
I’ll start to offer ‘Open Saturdays’ now and again as I build up more students. That is where anyone who can paint on their own, but would like to paint for a stretch of time with me there, can come from 11 to 2pm. That is $ 10 an hour.
If you have any questions, please contact me;
Colette Kalvesmaki
Ph: 240 676 1350
Address: VA 22709
Web: www.byzarts.com