Five-Day Icon Painting Masterclass
Monday 30th June - Friday 4th July 2025
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 Ampleforth Abbey from Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July 2025. 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 Optional Accommodation Participants can enhance their experience with an all-inclusive stay at Ampleforth Abbey. Immerse yourself fully in the serene and contemplative atmosphere of this historic setting while enjoying comfortable lodging and nourishing meals. Accommodation will cost from £650 per person for a five-night stay.
Cancellation Policy
All Classes, Courses, Workshops and Masterclasses are priced including VAT charged at 20%. By completing this purchase you are securing a place for the Masterclass ONLY. If you would like to book accommodation please provide details on the booking form and a member of the North Yorks Art School team will contact you within 24 hours of your booking to discuss accommodation options. We understand that plans can change, so we’ve outlined our cancellation and rescheduling policies for our masterclass and accommodation at Ampleforth Abbey to ensure clarity and flexibility. Masterclass Rescheduling: You can reschedule your booking up to 4 weeks before the start of the masterclass. We will transfer your booking to an alternative date and provide written confirmation of the change. Cancellations: You may cancel your booking up to 4 weeks before the masterclass for a full refund, which will be processed to your original payment method within 3–5 business days. Within 4 Weeks of the Event: Cancellations made less than 4 weeks before the masterclass will not be refunded. However, if we are able to rebook your place within the 4 week period we will be able to process a full refund. Accommodation Rescheduling: Accommodation can be rescheduled up to 6 weeks before your stay, subject to availability. We will confirm the new booking details in writing. Cancellations: You may cancel your accommodation booking up to 6 weeks before your stay for a full refund. Within 6 Weeks of the Stay: Cancellations made within 6 weeks of the arrival date will incur a 50% cancellation fee. If we are able to rebook your accommodation, we will refund the remaining balance to your original payment method. Your Right to Cancel If you are a customer living in the United Kingdom or the European Union you have the right to cancel your contract to purchase services from us within 14 days of purchase without giving notice. The cancellation period will end 14 days from the date of purchase when you purchased a service. To exercise your right to cancel you must inform us of your decision to cancel within the cancelation period. To cancel, contact us by email at info@bookaclass.org.