[intorkercet]

Christ is Risen!
As an iconographer myself I can say that I never send finished icon to the client until it is fully dried and ready for blessing and veneration. I use egg tempera paint and when thoroughly dry, a linseed oil-based varnish, and it dries within a week or two depending on the weather. I used to use acrylic paints and varnishes and they dry much faster. I have never heard of waiting for a year to kiss either type of icon.