New version of the old painting

Perhaps, you remember that I have a painting called "Artist is juicing his heart to create a masterpiece". It's been just over a year since I completed it. Unfortunately, the quality of that artwork is no longer sufficient to include this piece in portfolio and be proud. I really liked the idea of this work, that is why I couldn't hide it in a dark corner and forget about it. Besides, who does not like to look at photo comparisons like "that is how I painted in 2015 and in 2016"? I admit that I love it, because such photos are always very inspiring.

At the same time, I've decided to rework one more old piece - "The Decision is Yours". I'll write about this painting a little bit later.
Here I was using a method that I've learned from one of the famous artists - instead of doing everything at once, I was working gradually - firstly, I finished the face, then began to move around. It's a bit early to say whether or not I like this method, but I'll talk about it in details next week (with a new example).
You can compare the process of creating a previous version of the painting, which is HERE.

What did I do in April. Part 2

I'm here again to continue the talk about April.

Here is one of the paintings from the series called "Last Dance" (you can see it in a good quality in my portfolio).
I don't like to buy flowers with an intention to paint them, it's too responsible for me - you need to be sure that this week you'll sit down to paint them, and, if for some reason it doesn't happen, I'll feel guilty. Plus, to the dismay of my dear mother, I don't like to draw beautiful flowers.
It was different with these flowers, because they were fading beautifully. They stood on my desk and almost talked to me - look at us as we bent, dance, don't you want to draw us? Eventually, they persuaded me and it turned into a whole series.

What did I do in April. Part 1

It's already May! I was swallowed up by new artworks and didn't do a single post.

What was going on that month? I wanted to make a quick overview of what I did, thought of, planned, but, as usual, the review began to grow rapidly. So I've decided to divide one long post into a few smaller. It seems that in May I'll talk about April. Do not judge me for this delay!

Recently, I've been trying different approaches to working with palette. For example, this time I tried to mix colors in a puddle. Some painters go further and create a puddle of one color, parts of which they lighten or darken depending on their need. I was afraid that it will turn into mud too quickly, so I premixed several colors from light to dark and worked with them.
If the colors are close, it's much easier to create the transitions between them or make them colder/warmer. The only drawback, which is noted by many artists, is that the mixture gets dirty quickly, so you need to clean the palette from time to time and mix colors almost from scratch.

Falling into Depression

I often get an inspiration from what is happening inside of people - their worries and struggles.

This series is titled "Falling into Depression". It's about the moment in life, when you stop resisting and surrender to what drags you into sadness and gloom.

Santa painting

The Christmas is coming, so I've decided to paint one of the symbols of this magical day - the pleasant bearded man. 

The painting looks so different on different monitors *sighs*, it's impossible to make it look as it is in real life.

The reference photo is by Skydancer-stock from DeviantArt. 

I was inspired by this portrait of Pavel Chistyakov by V. Savinskiy. The idea was to create a contrast between realistically rendered head (and hand) and everything else.

Here is my favorite part of the painting:

I've posted stages of the process on my Instagram:

Repin, my study and his paintings

I have to admit - I'm absolutely in love with Repin, as an artist and as a person. Here is a quick study of his portrait of Mussorgsky I did recently.

I could talk about him for a long time, so I'll better show a few of his paintings.

Portrait of Tretyakov (1883)

When I see this painting, I can't stop staring at the hand - it's done so masterfully, it has a character.

Portrait of Tretyakov (1901)

Mudrogel in the pose of Pavel Tretyakov in halls of the gallery (1904)

Aleksander III receiving rural district elders in the yard of Petrovsky Palace in Moscow (1885-1886)

The painting at the Tretyakov gallery

Religious Procession in Kursk Province (1883)

I remember that this post is about Repin, but here is a very similar painting by Illarion Pryanishnikov, he was also (like Repin) a member of group called Peredvizhniki (The Itinerants, The Wanderers).

Religious Procession (1893) by Illarion Pryanishnikov

And finally, yesterday I saw a book called "Tretyakov gallery", the quality of it was outstanding. Sounds like a perfect Christmas present to myself!

Painting "Drowning"

I can understand people who gave up on their dream, but they should never persuade others to do the same.
It's called Crab mentality - "if I can't have it, neither can you".
If you want something - go for it, do everything possible and be happy.

New self-portrait

Previous week was so intense! I didn't even make a post in the blog. And I'm still in a rush, hoping that I'll be able to respond to all of the comments on DeviantArt as soon as possible.

I was at the food store today and there are Christmas decorations everywhere. Honestly, I'm not ready for it, it's way too soon, it's just a beginning of November!

Here is good news:
My new self-portrait is completely done.

I've posted a series of photos showing the process of making this painting on Instagram.

Don't forget to check it! https://instagram.com/zarinasart/ 

The decision is yours

I wanted to create a painting that would be a reminder - every decision should be made by you and you should be responsible for it. Even in the most crushing circumstances, oppressive environment - it's your life and only you should decide.

New painting and thoughts about self-bullying

Recently, I’ve started a series of works dedicated to self-abusing.

One of the worst things you can do to yourself is to endlessly compare, dig and hate. It won't make you a better person - it will take all of your strengths and aspirations.

My new painting - "Self-Bullying"

We constantly compare ourselves to others - and always there is someone more fit, smarter, more talented, just better. Sometimes it gives us inspiration and helps to move on, but in most cases it just makes us feel worse.

Did you ever feel that you are too old or not gifted enough for something? Sometimes we really are - old, not gifted, etc., but it's we who can change the situation. You cannot become younger, but you can change the attitude.

For example, "untalented" people (my mother always said that I'm not talented at art) can learn better, than those who have a natural gift, because we need to practice and learn more to get to their level. Knowing how to learn and how to get better - is a real advantage.

Don't treat yourself badly! You will save a lot of time and effort if you'll be kind to yourself. Help yourself - give yourself a hand, not a punch in the face.

My dog keeps his head high even after a surgery

Try to be happy, because no one can be happy for you.

Self beating

Sometimes your worst offender is you.

Artist is juicing his heart to make a masterpiece

Being an artist requires you to dive deep into souls and come back alive. 

«Artist is juicing his heart to make a masterpiece»

Oil on canvas, 14'' x 20'' (35 x 50 cm)

Too Much Attention

«Too Much Attention»

Oil on canvas, 18'' x 24'' (45 x 60 cm)

There is a period in life when everyone is looking at you – they want you to make decisions, they scrupulously studying you, your plans and aims. In most cases, you are not ready.

Details