A dialogue between eras
A custom piece, hand-painted for the person or the moment you want to celebrate.
Icons, portraits and landscapes made to commission, using the methods of Byzantine painting, Fayum portraiture and Pompeian fresco.
What you can commission
Hand-painted, one of a kind
Portrait
Portrait on canvas or paper in the Fayum style: the face captured in a moment of eternity, for yourself or as a gift for someone you love.
from € 100
Icons
Orthodox icon painted by hand according to the Byzantine canon, on a panel prepared with gesso and bole: for the church, or as a gift for a baptism, wedding, anniversary.
from € 100
Still lifes
Still lifes, landscapes and views: the place that matters to you, from the family home to a travel memory. Tactile realism, format of your choice.
from € 40
Digital Illustration
Digital illustration printed on professional paper, made for your walls or as a gift: customizable subjects.
from € 30
For an occasion
- Baptism and birthThe patron saint, even on a panel as tall as the newborn.
- WeddingA pair, Christ and the Mother of God, painted the same size.
- For the home and the familyChrist the Saviour to begin with, or the whole family's saints on one panel.
- A portrait as a giftFrom a photo: one person, a couple, even someone no longer here.
The Process
How a commission works
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Talking about the idea
Tell me what you would like, I reply with a proposal and a quote. Up to here you commit to nothing.
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Deposit and timeline
The deposit confirms the order, and the agreed timeline starts that day.
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Sketch for approval
I start painting only after you approve the sketch.
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Finished piece and shipping
You see the piece in photos, and after the balance I ship it insured.
Frequently asked questions
Ordering and payment
How do I pay?
In two parts, by bank transfer. The deposit (caparra confirmatoria) confirms the order, and I order the materials and start the sketch. You pay the balance when the piece is finished and you have seen the photographs, before shipping.
How long does it take?
A 20×25 cm icon takes about two weeks in vinyl tempera and up to a month in egg tempera, a large piece or a set longer. I count the time from the day the deposit arrives and write the exact date in the confirmation letter. It also depends on the materials, which I order specifically for your piece.
What if I change my mind after ordering?
You can cancel, but I keep the deposit, because it covers the materials bought for you and the work already done. If I am the one who can't finish the piece, for a reason beyond my control such as illness, you choose whether to wait or get the deposit back.
Do I get an invoice?
Yes, one, for the full price of the piece. The deposit you already paid is part of that price. You find it printed in the parcel and, if you like, I also send it by email. To issue it I need your name, surname, tax code and address.
The sketch and the piece
Can you paint from a photograph?
Yes. I take the likeness from the photograph, but I don't copy it: I build the composition myself and show it to you in the sketch.
What if the sketch doesn't convince me?
Tell me what to change and I redo it. Two rounds of changes are in the price, each further round costs €25. I start painting once the composition convinces you.
What if I don't like the finished piece?
If it doesn't match what we agreed on size, materials or sketch, I correct it: the two-year legal guarantee applies. A piece painted according to the sketch you approved I can't take back just because you don't like it. For work made to order the law excludes the 14-day right of withdrawal for distance purchases.
Can the icon be blessed?
Yes. I suggest taking it to your parish, so the priest can bless it according to the rite of your Church.
Shipping
How much is shipping?
What the courier charges, insurance included, with no mark-up. I tell you the amount together with the balance. Packing is included in the price of the piece, and when I ship I send you the tracking number. I ship across the European Union; outside the Union any customs duties are paid by the recipient.
What comes with the piece?
The certificate of authenticity, which comes with every piece, and care instructions. For delicate materials such as pastel I add a dedicated sheet.
What if the piece arrives damaged?
Until delivery the risk is mine. Photograph the packaging and the piece and write to me, ideally within 48 hours. Then I restore it, paint it again or refund what you paid, and I handle the claim with the courier.
The Artist
Igor Makhorin (known as IGORSKI)
Born in Tiraspol and raised among different cultures and traditions, Igorski trained in ancient Byzantine art and icon painting. At 19, an injury broke both his hands: it seemed like the end. It wasn't.
Verified reviews
What clients say
Four reviews on Etsy, all five stars out of five. There are few because the shop is recent: these are all of them, not a selection.
★★★★★
The artist took great care to ensure the form and style were exactly what I wanted, messaging me multiple times throughout the process. The attention to detail and reverence in the craftsmanship make this even more perfect than I could have hoped for.
★★★★★
The grave yet encouraging expression of the Pantocrator gives this icon a particular power. The eyes, turned straight at the viewer, have an almost hypnotic effect.
★★★★★
I purchased this beautiful icon of Christ as a gift for a family in my parish with whom I'm trying to cultivate a friendship. They were thrilled with it.
★★★★★
Great quality and a great price! Highly recommend!
Made to order