Byzantine Iconography Series 9 (P2) : Prophet Elijah

Composition

In Series 9 of the Byzantine Iconography Drawing Tutorials we are be putting together everything that we have learned in the previous series by learning how to compose icons. Everything in this series builds on what has been taught in the previous eight series of tutorials so it is important that students have completed the previous Series. In particular, they need to have completed the tutorials in Series 1 Drawing the Face, Series 2 Drawing the Half Figure, Series 3 Garment Basics, at least parts 1 and 3 of Series 3 drawing the Full Figure, Series 5 Drawing 3/4 Figures, Series 6 Drawing Seated Figures and Series 8 Drawing Mountains and Landscapes.

In this second tutorial in the series we will be composing an icon of the Prophet Elijah in order to draw a figure in a landscape setting. We will start off by taking a look at how rhythm is used in various landscape compositions. My Patrons on Patreon were polled as to whether they would like to do a classic composition of the Prophet Elijah or a more "adventurous" composition, the overwhelming majority voted for the "adventurous" composition. So instead of him resting his head in his hand we will draw him with is one hand outstretched to the raven and the other raised in thanksgiving to God. We will start our drawing by setting out the basic structure of the figure and landscape and building up the rhythm of the composition, before moving on to the details of the icon.

Required Materials: Pencil, paper and eraser