Small and medium boards for domestic and church use are made of several pieces of joined wood, with a hollowed out centre panel in the front and cross battening on the back. These may range from a few inches to about five feet in size.

Very large boards, which can be shaped to make an architectural feature, are usually made in marine plywood.

The wood is given a ‘taster’ coat of glue before being covered with muslin or gauze soaked in glue. This is left to dry out for about two days. 12/15 coats of gesso are then applied over two days, and 2/3 days of drying time allowed.

The drawing, which has been prepared beforehand, is then traced on the board and the lines graved in lightly. Depending on the complexity of the icon, the design may alternatively be drawn directly on the board by brush. The graving reduces the need to correct colour layers on the board so makes the icon brighter.

Next, areas to be gilded must be prepared with several coats of armenian bole, made liquid by the addition of warm glue, and gilding applied. This may be water gilding ( can be burnished- made shiny) or matt gold, usually an oil gild.

At last, painting can begin. The yolk of egg is mixed with the paint to act as a binder. Egg petrifies over time and the colours remain pure and bright - signs of the resurrection of the body. All that remains is for the icon to be given a protective layer, ‘named’ and packed. If circumstances allow, full varnishing is deferred until the paint has had time to fully dry out and settle.