St Nicholas Icon and my absence

So, I had intended to post the pictures of the last stages and the finished icon, but then got busy and then was sick on and off again for about two and a half weeks, and then I was preparing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

So bellow are two pictures from the final stages of writing the icon. I have not taken any pictures of the finished icon, but I did finish it in time for St. Nicholas day and it was in Reconciler's worship service on December 6th. I also preached on St Nicholas for that service.

further highlights and details.

Almost finished here, a few more details, especially on the Gospel book, and have yet to write the inscription.

I will post a picture of the finished Icon in the next day or so.

Also, I realized I never published the third part on my exploration of history, and the self. I was also about to post that third and final installment but wasn't satisfied with what I had and then I got sick and haven't looked at it again. I will have to look at it again and let you know if there will be a third part posted or if what I have posted will be all for now on that subject.

I have been reading Lathrop's The Pastor: A Spirituality. It has got me in quite a reflective mood, I may post on The Pastor before I get around to posting the third installment of History and the self.

Further progress on St. Nicholas Icon

Here I have almost completed the first layer of highlights in the icon. The next step is to paint a simple coat of medium (in this case egg yoke). It binds the first to layers together and creates an invisible layer of paint that creates some depth and luminosity.
This is what the painting looked like last night:

Progress of St. Nicholas Icon

I haaven't posted in awhile any of my icon work and thought I'd post the progress of the St. Nicholas icon I hope to complete by the end of this week in time for the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th.

Bellow is the first layer of paint, dark tones:


And here is the step of reinscribing the basic lines of the Icon: