For the creation of her icons, Nayia Kaplanidou uses the authentic Byzantine technique. The various materials are all natural and are prepared and processed by the painter herself.:

Preparation

To make the wood of the icon a stable surface for the painting, she glues a cotton canvas onto its surface. Then she proceeds with the traditional priming made with gypsum and rabbit skin glue.

Gilding

For the gilding she uses genuine gold leaves and for their application she uses bole past mixed with fish gelatin. Finally, the gold surface gets burnished with agate stone.

Painting

For the painting she uses dry pigment colors mixed with egg yolk and vinegar (egg tempera).

Varnish

The varnish of the painting is made with Chios mastic. As for the wood of the icon, it is protected and polished with genuine bee wax.