My notes on how to draw a Neo-Coptic style Icon

December 08, 2023

My notes on how to draw a Neo-Coptic style Icon

My notes below are based on a free YouTube lesson, on how to draw the young Christ in the Neo-Coptic style, by Fadi Mikhail of UK Coptic Icons. It is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_RSk2eDpmo

I was attracted to this particular icon because of its simplicity and child-like beauty. The video is part of an online course and more details on this can be found at - https://www.ukcopticicons.com/onlineiconcourse

My notes are slightly different from the original on YouTube, but I am sharing them here so as to ensure that they do not get lost.

Step 1: Measure and Mark the page frame

I have set the page dimensions to correspond to A4 size paper, (but have reduced the height):

Page width = 20 cm

Page height = 27cm (NOTE: Normal A4 page height is 29 cm, but we are not following this)

Step 2 - Divide the page into vertical halves

Divide the picture frame into two equal halves vertically (page width = 20 cm, each half = 10cm)

Step 3: Mark the eye line

Measure 11 cm from the top of the page (at 3 different points) and draw a horizontal line though it. This is the Eye line

Step 4: Draw the halo

Halo circle = 18 cm (diameter) and 9 cm (radius)

This is made up of two steps:

Step 4.1

Mark the intersection point of the halo circle and page halves .

A = The intersection point of (the line dividing the page into two vertical halves AND the eye line).

Step 4.2

With A as the midpoint, use a compass to draw a circle with 9cm radius ie, 18cm diameter. This is the halo.

Step 5: Draw the face guide

With A as the midpoint, use a compass, to draw a circle with 5.5cm radius ie, 11cm diameter. This circle is the face guide.

Step 6: Mark the Nose point - B

Mark the Nose Point ‘B’ midway between A and the bottom of the face circle.

NOTE: If the radius of the face circle is 5.5 cm, the Nose Point (B) is at approximately 2.75 cm

Step 7: Mark the Lip point – C

Mark the Lip Point ‘C’ midway between B and the bottom of the face circle.

NOTE: If the radius of the face circle is 5.5 cm and the Nose Point (B) is at approximately 2.75 cm then the Lip Point (C) is at approximately 1.4 cm

You may want to draw the middle of the lips about 0.4 cm above this line

Step 8: Mark the position of the eyes

Mark the position of the eyes as follows:

1) Divide the eye line (along the face circle) into six equal parts and mark them as follows:

2) From the left-most point of the face circle to D = 1/6^th of the face circle

3) DE = 1/6^th of the face circle

4) EA = 1/6^th of the face circle

5) AF = 1/6^th of the face circle

6) FG = 1/6^th of the face circle

7) G to the right-most point of the face circle= 1/6^th of the face circle

NOTE: If the radius of the face circle is 5.5 cm, each section is approximately 1.8 cm

Step 9: Mark the position of the irises

1) Divide the (top) radius of the face circle into four equal parts and mark them with the letters I, H, and J

2) Make a note of the distance between B and C and draw a circle joining these points

3) Mark circles of these same measurements at points E and F (these are the irises of the eyes)

4) Erase the circle between B and C

Step 10: Mark the lower line of the upper eyelids

1) K = The mid-point between the outer circumference of the iris on the left and D

2) L= The mid-point between the inner circumference of the iris on the left and A

3) M= The mid-point between the inner circumference of the iris on the right and A

4) N= The mid-point between the outer circumference of the iris on the right and G

5) Join K to L making sure that the upper-most part of the curve is a little below the upper part of the iris

6) Similarly, joint M to N sure that the upper-most part of the curve is a little below the upper part of the iris

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