Iconography & Gold Leaf with Irina Bradley. 30 March 2026

Iconography with Dr Irina Bradley. Tuesday 31 March 2026

Spend a day with Irina Bradley - Leading British Iconographer and Gilder. 

On this one day intensive workshop you will spend the day creating a patterned design (of your choice) to apply each of the techniques you learn. You will take this home at  the completion of the class. Design and layout will be with Irina's guidance. Border patterns, colours and gold leaf work will be taught, you will apply pigments and 24 carat gold leaf to your work. 

A little more detail:

You will receive an introduction to the process of historical works that are thousands of years old. On this one day intensive workshops you will gild on gesso boards a small pattern of your choice. They may be a traditional gold cross pattern, a flower, symbol or any other design. You will use this pattern to work on throughout the day and apply the techniques you learn throughout the class. This will become the finished piece you take home. You will using 24 carat gold leaf for gilding. 

As a result of this one day intensive workshop with a Master Instructor, you will know how to gild to a very high standard in one day. Participants will also have an opportunity to apply natural pigments and colours to the background of the piece.  Design and layout will be with Irina's guidance. Border patterns, colours and gold leaf work will be taught. You do not require prior experience to attend this workshop.  

Introducing your Instructor: Dr. Irina Bradley is one of the leading iconographers in the UK. She was awarded her doctorate by the Prince's School of Traditional Arts in 2015. Irina is an icon painter and fine artist with a passion for contemporary art. She was a visiting tutor at the Princes School of Traditional Arts. Academic interests: Early Christianity and Iconography.

Irina also teaches icon painting and offers courses in the Russo-Byzantine liquid tempera technique of icon painting at her Buckinghamshire studio.

Irina’s icons are in churches, private chapels and collections Norway, Russia, the UAE, United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. Irina has exhibited at several international exhibitions and has presented at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Temenos Academy and Oxford University. Irina is a member of the Kings Foundation UK, has consulted to King Charles on significant iconography works, including her own and has worked as an instructor at the London City & Guilds. 

Irina grinds her own pigments from rock and semi precious stones, lapis, turquiose, malacite into a fine powder that is them mixed with glair (whisked egg whites) as a binder for the pigment itself. The gair is also used to hold the gold leaf in place. The process used throughout history on medieval and religious iconography through to sculptures and furniture decoration in churches, palaces and religious buildings.

All materials are included (including 24 carat gold leaf) and all the tools required are supplied. 

Instructor: Dr Irina Bradley

Workshop Cost: $320.00 ( $290.90 +GST ) includes 24 carat gold leaf from UK 

There are many cafes for refreshments, tea/coffee and lunch, you are welcome to BYO lunch. 

Class begins at 10.00am in Kyneton and will run through until 4.30pm. 

Location: Cusack&Cusack Gallery, 31 Piper Street, Kyneton, Victoria

NOTE: Art Studio is upstairs, there is unfortunately no wheelchair access.  

 Kyneton in Victoria's Macedon Ranges.

TERMS & CANCELLATION POLICY:

Positions are strictly limited on this workshop. Due to course preparation, international instructor and potential wait lists; if a position is cancelled less than four (4) weeks prior to the start date, we are sorry, but 50% of your deposit payment is not refundable. You may transfer or pass on this course booking (for this date only) to another person if you are unable to attend.