Commission a Hand-Painted Eastern Orthodox Icon

If you are looking to give a deeply personal gift for a wedding, christening, confirmation, anniversary, family occasion, or another meaningful event, a hand-painted icon can be a lasting and personal way to mark the occasion. You may also be looking for a sacred image created for your own home or devotional practice.

I paint Eastern Orthodox icons for people who have a particular saint, sacred subject, occasion, or personal intention in mind. Some commissions follow established iconographic subjects, while others involve a particular combination of figures or a less commonly represented subject.

Each commission begins with information about the image you have in mind, the size, purpose of the icon, and the timeframe you have in mind. Once the details are established, I paint the icon using egg tempera and gold leaf, following the layered painting approach of the Byzantine icon-painting techniques.

Please contact Alina: smolyansky.a(at)gmail(dot)com,

The Commission Process

The first step is to discuss what you would like to have painted. You do not need to have every detail worked out before contacting me. We can discuss the subject, appropriate size, composition, and any particular requirements, and determine whether the project is suitable.

Once the subject and approximate size are established, I can provide a quotation. The price depends primarily on the size and complexity of the composition. The cost of the icon panel is also taken into account.

Icon panels are ordered specifically for each commission once the size has been determined. I do not normally keep a selection of panels in stock, so panel availability is one of the factors considered when establishing the schedule.

For a gift or an icon intended for a particular occasion, please contact me well in advance. Most commissions require approximately two to four months from the time the project is finalized and work begins. The overall timeframe can be longer when a project requires additional discussion or preparation, when a panel needs to be ordered, or when my commission schedule is full. Shipping can add approximately one to two weeks.

(Please note: sizes are limited to 12x16”.)

“Working with Alina is a gracious experience. She works seriously and at the same time finds joy in her achievements. Her works are a joy to behold and windows into a wider world. ” — Kerry Baisley, Vancouver, BC

A Prayerful Approach

An icon is a devotional image, and the way it is painted matters to me as much as the finished object.

I begin each commission with prayer and approach the painting with quiet, prayerful attention. As I work, I remain focused on the subject of the icon, its sacred meaning, and the connection between the image and the person or community for whom it is being created.

The imagery is developed within the established iconographic tradition, with attention to the canonical forms, symbolism, and theological meaning associated with the saint or sacred event.

The hours spent painting are therefore not simply a measure of technical work. They are part of the way I approach each commission.

Materials and Painting Technique

My icons are painted with egg tempera on wooden panels, using natural pigments, gesso, and gold leaf. My technique follows the classical Byzantine icon-painting school, in which the image is developed gradually through layers of paint rather than built up through a single application.

The painting begins with the preparation of the panel and the application of the gold where appropriate, followed by the underlying colours and successive layers that develop the forms, lights, details, and final inscriptions.

A single-figure icon requires approximately 30 hours of painting. More complex compositions or groups of figures may require 60 hours or more.

You can read more about my background and experience as an icon painter, more about egg tempera, icon materials, and the painting process on my About the artist, icons & egg tempera painting page.

Custom-painted icons, price list. All prices are in USD.

Price List:
Commissioning Icons

Commission prices are based primarily on the size and complexity of the icon. The current price guide is shown on the right.

All prices are in USD.

Prices may vary when a commission includes special elements such as additional gold work, ornaments, or other details.

Traditional gessoed panels are available at an additional cost, depending on size. The panel is ordered specifically for each commission once the size has been established.

The maximum size I currently paint is 12 × 16 inches.

Commissioning your icon

If you are considering commissioning an icon, please contact me with as much of the following information as you already know:

the saint or subject you have in mind
your approximate preferred size
whether the icon is a gift or intended for a particular occasion
your desired completion date, if there is one
any other information that would help me understand what you are looking for

If your idea is still developing, that is fine. Some commissions begin with a very specific subject, while others take shape through an initial conversation and, where necessary, additional research.

I will review your inquiry and let you know whether I can take on the project, along with the next steps and an estimated price.

You are welcome to contact Alina to discuss your commission using this email:
smolyansky.a(at)gmail(dot)com

Please check the available Eastern Orthodox icons in the Shop