Commission your icon
I would love to discuss creating a custom, hand-painted icon for your church or home. I prayerfully consider both small- and large-scale projects for both panel icons and murals. Direct inquiries by using the form in the “Contact” link, or by emailing me at icons@brianwhirledge.com.
Hand-painted icons are works of prayer and works of art to be treasured for a lifetime, encouraging contrition and prayer by their holy presence. Icon painting is a specialized craft requiring training and prayerful, careful execution. I craft my hand-painted icons with the highest regard for prayer, aesthetics, and Orthodox iconographic traditions. For all custom icons, I prayerfully consider the life of the Saint depicted and I reference existing icons.
Below are general quotes for common sizes. I am happy to discuss your ideas and offer a quote for any custom icon.
Single Figure Icons
Custom icons of a single figure saint (half-length, from the waist up) are painted in traditional egg tempera, with an all-gold halo and background on a panel with an ark (traditional raised border or “kovcheg”). Common sizes and pricing, including domestic US shipping, begin at:
5"x7" ............ $450
7x9” ……… $480
8"x10" .......... $515
9"x12" .......... $600
11"x14” ........ $750
Custom sizes not listed above can be accommodated and can be quoted. Icons on flat panels without an ark (traditional raised border or “kovcheg”) can also be requested. Festal icons, icons with multiple figures, or more detailed icons take significantly more time and can be quoted upon request.
For additional examples of single figure icons, click the "Portfolio" tab above to view my handpainted icons of Christ, Panagia, and the Saints.
Family Icons
A popular Orthodox tradition is to commission a custom icon depicting the patron saints of the members of a family. An icon depicting two patron saints is a perfect gift for a bride and groom for their wedding.
Pricing for icons with two standing figures, painted in traditional egg tempera, with an all-gold halo and background, with an ark (traditional raised border or “kovcheg”), including domestic US shipping, begin at:
9"x12" Two Standing Full Figure, Family Icon ........ $900
11"x14" Two Standing Full-Figure, Family Icon........ $1,090
13"x16" Two Standing Full-Figure, Family Icon........ $1,290
Custom sizes and/or icons depicting more than two figures, and/or other backgrounds can be accommodated and will be quoted on an individual basis. For additional examples of multiple figure icons, click the "Portfolio" tab above to view some of my handpainted icons.
Materials
I use only the highest quality archival materials with the understanding these hand-painted icons will be venerated for generations. Materials for panel icons include:
The highest quality wooden painting panels, primed with traditional gesso made from scratch. I make my boards with an Ark, the traditional raised border or “kovcheg.”
Genuine 23-karat gold for the gilded background. I use only the best gold leaf imported from Italy.
Traditional egg tempera is my preferred medium as well as the preference of iconographers for centuries. I use eggs from my parents’ free-range chickens, and natural mineral pigments made by God Himself. Egg tempera uniquely transfigures creation into sacred images, combining the vegetable (wood panel), animal (eggs), and mineral (pigments) kingdoms. Egg tempera exudes a beauty and depth unlike any other medium. Light refracts through layers of gem-like natural mineral pigments, which are ground colorful clays and stones. As a personal connection, I use a yellow ochre clay from my family farm as the base color in my underpaintings.
I use a conservation-grade varnish to protect my icons for generations. This varnish allows icons to be gently cleaned with a weak soap and water solution, and later removed and restored by professional art conservators.
Details
Once you have commissioned me to create a custom icon, I will send you a preliminary sketch as well as photos of your icon throughout the painting process. A 50% down payment is necessary for me to begin your icon. The remaining balance is due upon completion of the icon, prior to shipment. I accept payment by check or through most online payments (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle), which you can use to pay securely online with a credit card or bank transfer.
Please email icons@brianwhirledge.com or use the form in the "Contact" tab above to contact me with your commission request. The lead time (from downpayment to shipment) for a custom, hand-painted, single figure panel icon is currently over a year. Please inquire if you have an earlier pressing deadline—I may or may not be able to accommodate it.
Terms & Conditions
By commissioning an icon (whether hand-painted or a print) from Brian Matthew Whirledge Iconography, you are agreeing to the following:
All deposits are non-refundable. A deposit (or payment in full) is required to begin the commission.
The remainder of payment (balance) is due upon completion of the commission, prior to shipping. Domestic US shipping is generally included in quotes. Overseas shipping will likely cost more.
Brian Matthew Whirledge reserves all rights to reproduce and/or reprint this original icon. The patron is granted permission to make reprints (copies) for personal or devotional use, but not for commercial or promotional use.
