Icon Workshops 2027
led by Dom Alex Echeandía Loro
Stay in The Chapterhouse Guesthouse
Workshop 1: St Michael the Archangel
Monday 19 – Saturday 24 July 2027
Workshop: £430
Level: Beginners
St Michael, defender of heaven and guardian of the faithful, is one of the most striking figures in Christian iconography. His name means Who is like God?, reminding us that all true power belongs to God.
This beautiful icon offers an opportunity to explore the delicate modelling of the face, the rich colours of Byzantine garments, intricate curls and luminous gold details. The gentle inclination of St Michael’s head conveys both heavenly strength and peace.
A rewarding subject for those who enjoy fine detail, rich colour and expressive painting. Suit
Workshop 2: Christ Pantocrator
Monday 26 – Saturday 31 July 2027
Workshop fee: £460
Level: Beginners/Intermediate
Christ Pantocrator — Christ the Ruler of All — is among the most profound images in Christian art. Holding the Gospels and raising his hand in blessing, Christ looks towards us with an expression combining majesty and compassion.
Through successive layers of colour, participants will gradually bring the face of Christ into the light, while exploring the intricate details of his garments, Gospel book and blessing hand.
Painting the face of Christ is a particularly moving exercise in patience, attention and contemplation.
Workshop 3: The Nativity
Monday 2 – Saturday 7 August 2027
Workshop fee: £460
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
The traditional Byzantine Nativity invites us into the mystery of God becoming human. Around the Christ Child and the Virgin Mary, the rocky landscape, cave, animals and figures tell a story rich in symbolism.
This workshop offers an opportunity to explore the beautiful colours, dramatic composition and intricate details of Byzantine narrative painting.
An especially rewarding subject for those who enjoy storytelling through art, while contemplating the wonder of Christ’s birth.
Our Icon Workshops
We offer a series of six-day workshop, offering an opportunity to learn and practice the art of writing icons, in the contemplative calm of a Benedictine monastery, exploring the techniques and understanding of iconography. Each day will begin with a demonstration of the techniques to be used and the day is spent painting, with support and accompaniment from Dom Alex. The designs will be applied to the board, and the colour layers built up to complete the icon.
Cost
The cost for the teaching is indicated for each workshop, with a non-refundable deposit (£200) payable when booking. The price includes a prepared gessoed icon board. pigments, and gold leaf as indicated (intermediate and advanced levels)
Accommodation
We are pleased to make our new accommodation in the Abbot's Lodge available for this workshop.
The cost is £67.00 per night for an ensuite room. A deposit of £200 is payable on booking.
The cost of meals for residents and non-residents are: lunch (two courses and coffee) £15; a light supper £10.
Tea and Coffee will be available.
Book now for our upcoming workshops
Icons Workshops at Belmont
We are happy to run regular Icon Workshops at Belmont run by the Peruvian Iconographer, Dom Alex Echeandía, who is a monk of Belmont and prior of our foundation outside Lima.
These Workshops offer the chance to learn and practice the art of writing icons in the contemplative calm of a Benedictine monastery.
Normally each year there are courses for Beginners and Intermediates. Each day Dom Alex will demonstrate techniques, then offer support and accompaniment in painting. The designs applied to the board will be built up with colour layers to complete the icon.
Dom Alex Echeandia is an Iconographer, trained in the UK and Ukraine. He studied theology at Blackfriars, Oxford. He is currently Prior of the Monastery of the Incarnation of at Lurin. Recent commissions include an icon of St Cuthbert for Buckfast Abbey, and he featured on the BBC4 Programme 'The Monastery' where he prepared an icon of St Michael. He leads workshops and retreats in Britain and Peru.
Profile: Dom Alex Echeandía
Since 1999 I have been a Benedictine Monk of the Monastery of the Incarnation in Lima, Peru. It is the daughter House of Belmont Abbey, Hereford, UK, where I have lived for the last five years, while I read Theology at Blackfriars, Oxford until June 2014. I was ordained deacon in December 2012 at the abbey and I was ordained priest in Peru on 18th October 2014.
I began training as an iconographer in Guatapé, Medellin, Colombia, where I spent six months of my initial formation as a monk in 2002. Then, back in Peru I continued my formation as monk and iconographer.
I went to the UK in 2005 and 2006 for courses in Iconography under Sister Petra Clare and Aidan Hart in Scotland and England, respectively.
Icon Making on the BBC
Then, I joined the Icon and Wall-Painting Course run by the Prince´s School of Traditional Art, led by Aidan Hart, to improve and develop my understanding of icons, especially of frescoes. I am a member of the British Association of Iconographers.
In July 2013 I went to Ukraine to learn a new technique, a combination of the softness of the Russian tradition and the bold strokes of the Greek. I now make use of both techniques to express the development of culture and theology that they represent.
As a Benedictine Monk, the Liturgy of the Hours and the Sacraments define and direct my life in an endless cycle of Ora et Labora (RB 48). Writing icons has come to symbolize this way of life for me. It is a combination of monastic life and iconography that defines me as a Christian.
At the moment I am working on icons for commissions in the UK as well as in Peru. I have had a lifelong love for iconography, and have worked full time as a professional iconographer since 2006. It is with thanksgiving to God and gratitude to my instructors, monastic community, friends and benefactors that I am able to share with you the spirit of iconography as part of God´s continuing expression of love for His people.
Gallery of Icons by Dom Alex
Exhibition at Westminster Abbey 2026
