Zhostovo painting – Russian traditional art. Connoisseurs of painted trays and other kitchen utensils should learn how this art originated and how it changed over time. People interested in painting and culture will be interested in looking at pictures of basic ornaments and studying the technique of creating a pattern.
History of the origin of the industry
Zhostovo is a village near Moscow. It was there that the art of painting began to emerge more than 200 years ago. The forefathers of this trend were men from the Vishnyakov family. The father and his sons were engaged in painting decorative dishes from papier-mâché.
They owned several workshops located in the settlements closest to Zhostovo:
- Ostashkovo;
- Trinity;
- Khlebnikovo.
Gradually, the Vishnyakovs developed their craft and began working with wooden items. Their apprentices painted trays, sugar bowls, and boxes. They decorated cigarette cases, tea caddies, and bread boxes.
By 1825, the Vishnyakov family had deeply introduced Zhostovo art into Russian life. The products painted in their workshops became recognizable throughout the country and were in high demand. However, the men did not stop there and tried to expand their trade more and more. They opened several more workshops in villages further away from Zhostovo.
The craftsmen working with the Vishnyakovs began to decorate not only paper and wooden items. They learned to paint on iron trays, pallets and other kitchen utensils. Trays made of metal turned out especially well. Firstly, the products looked very nice, secondly, the metal was protected by a layer of paint, and the dishes served much longer. New workshops appeared in Russia until 1920. The masters improved their skills, introduced new elements and motifs into the painting.
In 1930, the Vishnyakovs' craft encountered difficulties. Soviet departmental organizations wanted to change the Zhostovo painting, adding standard ornaments and compositions that met the requirements of communism. Soviet artists of other trends tried to make the elements of the painting more naturalistic and easel-like.
The masters of Zhostovo painting were against these innovations. They understood that this way the art would lose its uniqueness. It would become dull and unremarkable. Devotion to their favorite work and understanding of the uniqueness of this trend helped the leading artists defend the right of Zhostovo painting to exist. The art underwent changes, but very small ones.
After a difficult period, traditional art was quickly restored and continued to gain popularity. Masters reached new heights. Their works began to appear at international exhibitions. Soon, Zhostovo painting was recognized as a native Russian art.
At that time, it was prestigious to have trays and dishes painted in this style in the house. Russians tried to buy items in sets so that all the kitchen utensils would form a harmonious composition. The dishes were given as gifts for holidays, weddings and anniversaries.
Closer to the present time, the painting has nevertheless undergone minor changes.. They were connected with the achievements of modern times. For the last 60 years, the production of painted dishes has been carried out by the Zhostovo factory, located at the origins of this art.
Zhostovo painting (pictures with examples of painted utensils can be seen further in the article) despite small changes in the manufacturing process, factories try to maintain traditions.
The masters create the drawings on the dishes by hand. There is no machine application of paint at all. Each painted item is assigned a unique number. The shapes of trays and pallets have become varied.
What types of trays are there:
- oval;
- round;
- rectangular;
- square;
- diamond-shaped;
- with high thin sides;
- with thick walls;
- with short sides.
The products themselves are made on machines. Often, craftsmen create objects of unique shapes. They order blanks from workshops and blacksmiths. The shape of the product depends on its functionality. Decorative trays have smooth shapes, and those that will be used to carry food and set the table are easy to wash and use in everyday life in general. The tray can be equipped with handles, as well as loops for hanging dishes on the wall or in a cabinet.
Nowadays, Zhostovo painting remains popular. The works of these specialists are highly valued and continue to be exhibited at international exhibitions and auctions.
Features of painting
Zhostovo painting (pictures with photographs of different dishes will help to better examine the traditional ornament) remains a family craft. Often parents begin teaching their children at an early age. Often they themselves are engaged in this art. Young masters spend several years on training and only by adulthood do all the secrets of creating a traditional drawing become available to them. Subsequently, professionals become mentors for the younger generation.
The main rules for creating a drawing:
- The process must be carried out manually only. There should be no machine methods for applying paint to the product.
- Large sets of artistic brushes are used for work. The pile should be squirrel. Other brushes produce less accurate and smooth strokes.
- The drawing is created with oil paints. Paints can only be diluted with linseed oil. It gives the paints a soft texture, thanks to which it lies on the surface in an even layer, without streaks.
Another main feature is the application of strokes in layers in a certain sequence. First, the artist covers the product with black paint. Then he starts painting floral motifs, combining bright and pastel shades. Thanks to this technique of applying paint, the drawing turns out beautiful, contrasting and eye-catching.
To decorate dishes, artists use traditional compositions:
- a bunch of wild flowers;
- a bouquet of large inflorescences;
- scattered flowers;
- wreaths of small flowers (used to decorate round and oval trays);
- 3 large flowers in the center of the product;
- a branch with flowers in the corner;
- flower frame.
At the end of the work, the master assigns a number to the product and leaves an autograph in the corner of the image. These elements attest to the authenticity of the painting. Beautiful floral arrangements transform ordinary black trays into works of art.
Colors of Zhostovo painting
Traditionally, the following shades are used to decorate different parts of the drawing:
| Background | Black, silver, blue, red, dark green. |
| Flowers | Red, orange, pink, yellow, blue, blue. |
| Leaves | Green, light green, yellow, white, gold. |
| Zoomorphic elements | Brown, orange, yellow, red, white, gray, blue. |
| Frame (sides of tray, edges of dishes) | Gold, silver, yellow, red, black. |
After a difficult period in the development of painting (1930), bright colors began to be diluted with pastel shades. Flowers are often painted with white highlights. Zoomorphic elements began to look more realistic than before. In general, painting became more diverse.
In recent times (from 1970 to the present day), ivory has become a popular color for background design. On a light, slightly beige background, bright flower bouquets will look no less elegant than on a dark color. The light background looks softer and gives the dishes a gentle, cozy character.
Zhostovo painting, pictures depicted on dishes and other kitchen utensils, thanks to a wide range of colors attract the attention of even those people who are not interested in traditional art. This fact has always been a sign that art is truly unique and interesting.
Elements and patterns of Zhostovo painting
Pictures consisting of elements of Zhostovo painting looked slightly different in the early period. The lines were less smooth. Fewer colors of paint were used to create the design. On painted dishes from 1830-1900, the main elements were landscapes, flower bouquets, and a troika of horses.
As creativity developed and new artists emerged who had different views on the art of painting, compositions began to change. Landscapes, images of waterfalls, mountain views and castles with beautiful, Gothic architecture began to appear in the author's works of new masters.
Often, narrative drawings were used that depicted the daily life of people of that time. For example, you can find photos of trays and dishes created in the 1890s-1900s. They depict children riding sleds, teams with horses and a coachman, and tea drinking with a samovar. Images of people weaving bast shoes were also popular.
Later, the main compositions became images of flower bouquets. Flowers can be different: wild, garden, small and large. Large buds or open inflorescences are often depicted in the middle of the drawing. Smaller flowers are drawn along the edges. Small inflorescences are placed between the main flowers, covering empty spaces.
The rose is the most common flower depicted in Zhostovo painting. Open petals look bright and unusual. You can find images of roses in varying degrees of flower openness, from a tight bud to a fully open and slightly fading rose.
What other flowers can be seen on dishes decorated in the Zhostovo painting style:
- red poppies;
- yellow, red and blue tulips;
- yellow and red dahlias;
- pink peonies;
- white small lilies of the valley;
- yellow and lilac pansies;
- small blue cornflowers;
- light blue snowdrops.
The compositions do not look monotonous because the artists add variety to them by adding berry clusters, fruits and other fruits to the bouquet. The result is colorful ornaments.
From 1920 to the present day, zoomorphic motifs and complete images of birds and domestic animals have been preserved in Zhostovo painting. These drawings look very realistic and go well with floral patterns. The most popular type of bird that painters capture is the peacock, or firebird (phoenix). The artist draws the smallest details, feathers, crests, protruding hairs. Often the long tail is depicted as a flower carpet.
If the specialist has chosen a less realistic direction, he draws the outline of the bird and fills it with large patterns of arbitrary shape. Most often, the color of such drawings is yellow, and the outline and darkening of details is done with orange or red paint.
Images of roosters, larks, crested hen and jays are also popular. Wood grouse are often depicted on a dark background. The dark blue color of its feathers almost merges with the black background, but the artists skillfully highlight the contours of the bird with white paint, which creates the effect that the wood grouse is from somewhere in the darkness. Among the representatives of the animal world, horses, deer, bears, and less often cats and tigers can be seen in the drawings.
Sometimes you can see images of fish on decorative dishes. They are not realistic. Usually the contours are filled with patterns, choosing shades of paint that match the main floral pattern. Flowers are drawn so that they resemble algae. Long, curly stems and small inflorescences of dark green, yellow or red are drawn.
Today, paint application technologies and the composition of painting materials have been improved, allowing painters to decorate not only wooden and metal utensils. Painting can be done on glass, ceramics and leather.
The paint does not wear off or chip off. That is why genuine products made by famous craftsmen are expensive. Dinnerware sets, trays and plates are often purchased as souvenirs for anniversaries, and they are also collected in collections of prized antiques.
Technique of creating a pattern
Zhostovo painting (pictures are painted on different surfaces using the same technique) is created in 9 stages.
Stage 1 – painting over. How it is done:
- The surface of the dishes is degreased.
- Apply a primer. This is a special composition that will prevent the paint from rolling off and will help to fix it so that the drawing does not rub off.
- After drying, the dishes are painted in the color that will be the background.
- The master selects a sketch. Then makes marks to consider several options for the placement of the drawing on the surface.
- The artist makes the first strokes with a wide brush. He outlines the position of large buds, leaves and petals. Often at this point the artist has several works on his table. He designs them simultaneously.
- The sketch needs to be fixed. To do this, the dishes are placed in a drying cabinet. The minimum drying time is 12 hours. Additional time, as well as the drying temperature, depends on the material from which the item is made.
The dishes are taken out of the cupboard and cooled.
Next comes the 2nd stage – straightening. The artist draws the shapes of large elements more clearly. Adds new layers of paint, making the sketch brighter.
The next, third stage is called "shadowing". How it is carried out:
- The artist applies thin layers of paint over the sketch. He dilutes them with oil so that the consistency becomes translucent.
- Dark elements of the design are painted with denser colors.
- They darken the base of the buds and highlight the shadows between the petals by mixing paints on the palette.
- Using a thin brush, outline the position of the veins on the petals and leaves.
- Draw the texture of the stems.
Stage 4 – layingThe artist uses pastel colors. He highlights the light parts of the plants by applying thicker layers of paint.
Stage 5 – glare. How it is done:
- Using a wide brush and white paint, the artist highlights large highlights.
- The strokes are carefully shaded. They should be smooth, without clear contours.
- Using a small brush, highlight light lines on the edges of petals, leaves and stems.
- Using sweeping brushes, carefully draw light veins. Do not press on the brush. Only the tips of the bristles, dipped in white paint, touch the drawing. Smooth, very thin lines should remain.
Stage 6 – drawing. The artist uses a thin brush and white paint. Now he applies clear and bright lines. He outlines all the light areas of the drawing. He highlights the edges of the buds, the tips of the leaves and the highlights on the berries.
Stage 7 – seed formation. Using yellow, orange, light green and white paint, the artist draws stamens, pistils and seeds. Adds a few small dots in the background. They usually imitate small flowers.
Stage 8 – binding. This is the process of "binding" the picture into a single whole. The artist fills in the gaps between the large details of the drawing. These can be dots, small flowers, petals and tiny leaves. All these elements are also shaded and highlights are lightened.
Bouquets tied into a bunch or scattered flowers are decorated with thin blades of grass. They are painted in light green, dark green and yellow. On a light background, the grass can be brown or dark yellow. The artist fills in the empty spaces so that the grass forms a light web. Without this stage, the drawings would look less realistic. Large gaps between the main elements muffle the attractiveness of the picture.
The last, 9th stage is the design of the frame. The frame is painted by other, specially trained specialists. They mainly use metallic paint: gold, silver, and, less often, bronze. On a light background, patterns are often painted with black or red paint.
The ornaments used to decorate the sides of the dishes are silhouettes of leaves and petals. Sometimes these can be small inflorescences, as well as intertwined lines and geometric figures. Less often, animal silhouettes are used.
The frame can be multi-level, for example: 1 circle consists of lines that form even, identical loops. The next circle is located under the first. It consists of quatrefoils. The last circle is dots and small flowers.
Zhostovo painting has existed for a long time, and although the art has experienced difficult times, it has changed little, and therefore it can be considered a native Russian craft. Pictures will help connoisseurs of traditional art learn to distinguish genuine factory works from copies.
Author of the article: Frolova Ekaterina
Video lessons of Zhostovo painting
Zhostovo painting for beginners: