Saint Luke and the Sacred Art: How to Start "Writing" Icons at Home

Iconography Supplies
Written By Jeremy

We often know Saint Luke as the author of the Gospel, the physician, and the companion of Paul. But in the Eastern tradition, he holds another title: The First Iconographer.

Tradition tells us that Saint Luke painted the very first image of the Virgin Mary (the Hodegetria) while she was still living. He didn't just write with ink; he wrote with color.

For centuries, this sacred art was locked behind monastery walls. But today, a revival is happening. Laypeople, artists, and the faithful are discovering that Iconography is a form of prayer. It is a way to silence the noise of the world and focus your hands and heart on the Divine.

You do not need to be a monk to start. You do not need to be a professional artist. You simply need humility, patience, and the right tools.

While traditional materials can be hard to find, we have curated a "Beginner’s Iconography Studio" using accessible, high-quality supplies that honor the tradition.

1. The Foundation: The Board

An icon is never painted on canvas; it is painted on wood, representing the Tree of Life and the Cross. You need a stable, rigid surface pre-prepared with gesso (a chalk and glue mixture) to hold the gold and paint.

2. The Divine Light: Genuine Gold Leaf

In an icon, the background is gold, symbolizing the uncreated light of God. There are no shadows in Heaven. Working with gold leaf is a spiritual exercise in itself—it is fragile, it breathes, and it requires total stillness.

3. The Breath of Life: The Brushes

You cannot write a holy image with a cheap plastic brush. You need a brush that holds a "belly" of paint but snaps to a razor-sharp point for the fine lines (the assists) and facial details.

4. The Pigment: Egg Tempera

Icons are traditionally painted with egg tempera—dry pigments mixed with egg yolk and wine/vinegar. It creates a matte, luminous finish that oil paint cannot replicate.

5. The Teacher: The Manual

You need a guide to understand the theology of the lines, the geometry of the face, and the order of the layers (dark to light).

A Prayer Before Writing an Icon

“O Divine Lord of all that exists... enlighten and direct my soul, my heart, and my spirit. Guide the hands of Your unworthy servant, so that I may worthily and perfectly portray Your Icon...”

Start Your Journey

Saint Luke used his talents to reveal the face of God to the world. You can do the same in your own home.

1. The Professional Boards ($20 - $50)

2. The Real Gold ($40 - $60)

3. The Expensive Brushes ($20 - $50 each)

4. The Paint Set ($40 - $80)

5. The Instruction Book ($25)

Jeremy

Jeremy is the founder of The Eastern Church, dedicated to sharing handmade Maronite, Eastern Catholic, and Orthodox prayer cards rooted in tradition and prayer. He is also the author of Love on Purpose: How God’s Design for Marriage Leads to Lasting Happiness, a book that inspires couples to strengthen their faith through marriage. Based in Austin, Texas, Jeremy and his family design each card with devotion and historical care. If you are ever traveling to Austin and want an uplifting church experience, he warmly invites you to worship at Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Church in Austin, Texas.

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