Books on icon painting

We present our own books on icon painting: educational and methodological manuals that will help you master this blessed work. The author is Anna Golubkova, artistic director of the Sofia Icon painting school. Books are presented here in electronic format - PDF. You can purchase electronic versions of the manuals online the prices are in roubles. After payment during 24 hours you will receive an email with download links.

Novgorod Tablet Icons

Digital PDF eBook
51 pages, Russian / English

This book features outline drawings of ancient icons, mostly festal images, along with instructional materials on icon painting: how to apply highlights (probela), how to work with grisaille, what copying means in icon painting, and basic principles of drawing construction. Exercises for independent practice are also included.

Please note: images of the original ancient icons are not included. After purchase, you will receive a download link by email.

Tracing the icons

Digital PDF eBook
49 pages, Russian / English

This book presents outline drawings of ancient icons from the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery, as well as educational materials on icon painting: how to make tracing paper drawings, the system of placing highlights and an explanation of what assist lines are. Exercises for independent practice are also included.

Please note: images of the original ancient icons are not included. After purchase, you will receive a download link by email.

Iconpainting workbook

Digital PDF Edition
36 pages, English language

A printable icon painting workbook designed to develop confident and precise line work.
This guide teaches how to build traditional iconographic forms step by step, revealing the structure and symbolism of elements such as mountains, trees, architecture, and cherubim. By practicing line by line, students learn to see form clearly and draw with intention.
Pages can be printed and used for hands-on practice, helping to train the hand, eye, and rhythm of line. Suitable for beginners, valuable for experienced iconographers, and accessible for children as an introduction to icon painting.

Guide to Painting the Icon of Archangel Michael

Digital PDF eBook
20 pages, English

The icon painting process is divided into clear stages. Each stage includes color palettes and paint mixtures, as well as large, detailed photo examples. A list of required pigments is also provided.

After purchase, you will receive a download link by email in 24 hours.

Tracing the icons (1st Edition)

Digital PDF version of the book “Byzantine and Greek Images”
45 pages, Russian / English

This book presents outline drawings and full-color images of ancient icons from monasteries and churches in Greece. All drawings are executed by brush. Each icon is labeled with its title, date, and place of preservation.

After purchase, you will receive a download link by email.

Supplement to the Book “Tracing the icons” (2nd Edition)

Digital PDF Edition
24 pages, Russian / English

This supplement consists of photographs of outline drawings from the book “Byzantine and Greek Images. Second Edition.” Each drawing is shown in two stages: development of the first highlight and, separately, development of the second highlight on the garments. In the printed version of the book, only the final combined highlights are shown. This digital supplement helps to clearly understand how to work on each highlight step by step.

пособие по иконописи

Step-by-Step Guide to Painting an Icon

Digital PDF Guide
15 pages, English language

A step-by-step guide to painting the icon “Saint Simeon the God-Receiver.” The process is divided into stages. Each stage includes color palettes and paint mixtures, large detailed photo examples, as well as a list of required pigments and precise mixing proportions.