Dacha Life

20x25cm Neocolor sticks; 30x40cm Oil pastel on tempera background

Sketchbook pages.

Sketchbook Pages

Outdoor drawing sessions in my sketchbook.

Early Morning in Ikea Cafe

Deserted Ikea, right after the opening, gave me kind of surrealistic feeling. Empty rooms, which are always so alive and crowded, were calm and lonely. Cafe, silent and loaded with food. Little version of planet Earth after the end of times.

Ordinary disastrous every day events in my country and overall rise of temperature in the world completely washed away my wish to express myself in blogging. But suddenly the spammers helped. The amount of spam became unbearable, which usually shows that blog is forgotten by its owner and needs revival. So here I am, drawing, painting, blogging. I hope you are all right out there, my friends.

The Architectural Fantasy

My fantasy about the Orthodox Church in Kotor, Montenegro in November 2016.

Sweet November

Sweet quiet November evening in Budva, Montenegro.

Novodevichy Pond

After collecting all my courage and after rather long break,  I am back to sketching outdoors. This time while sketching Novodevichy pond, I made friends with Larissa from Athens, visiting Moscow.  Half an hour later we were chatting like old and dear friends.  Art unites!

Wooden Church for "Visit Norway" Poster

I knew about the 16th century wooden churches of Russian North. And then I learned about the Norwegian wooden architecture. We are so close cultural and geographical, amazing.

Bergen Rooftops for "Visit Norway" Poster

Bergen is one of the most beautiful Norwegian cities. And very colorful.

Out the Window 11

As you see we are still waiting for the spring.

Out the Window 10

After several dull in color monochrome days, the weather inspires me again to study color and tone of the beautiful outdoors.

Out The Window 9

While I was painting this piece (about 20 minutes in total) the weather changed three times from windy snow storm to crisp frosty sunny day. Amazing discoveries are awaiting when you look attentively.
I am sorry if you think it is boring but I am completely absorbed by the "every day new" view from the window.

Two years ago I read Richard Schmid's "Alla Prima" and considered this book to be one of the most powerful manuals on painting and art craft. (his site here)
So when I found out the author's 80th birthday was on the way in 2014, I sent him birthday card and thanked with all my heart (as did his pupils from all over the world) . Yesterday I received his reply (photo above), so happy about that. It feels like a breath of fresh air from the other planet. Thank you, Mr. Schmid.

Out the Window 7

A little snow at midday today.
It is amazing how weather changes colors of so familiar landscape.
I'm diving deeper and deeper into this series.

Out the Window 4

Last minutes of the sun on a cold winter day, the sky is amazing rose and light blue color.

Out of Window 1

Inspired by Nathan Fowkes and his "Out of Office Window" (here) post, I did quick sketches same way with gouache in the sketchbook. I would like to study further the change of light through the day and the season.
Here is cold winter dusk with -16C (3.2F) on thermometer.

France as Seen by IrinaR. Episode Four: Paris.

12cm x 22cm, Ink and Watercolor

This city is amazing. It is easy, and smiling, and young, and so beautiful.
Besides, I could not help fall in love with the city which eats 24/7. And food is delicious. In Paris and all over the country.

France as Seen by IrinaR. Episode One: Cities and Towns.

15cm x 23cm each, Watercolor and Ink

Hi friends. How are you today?

I am back to blogging with France as I have seen it during my travel in July.
More paintings and sketches to follow.

Here is the kaleidoscope of  French cities and towns from the sketchbook. We were driving through Ile-de-France, Normandy, Brittany and Pays de la Loire.
Soon I was so overwhelmed with impressions that I've got no clue where I was and which cathedral we were exploring right then.

The Spring is Almost Here.

39cm x 50cm, Acrylic on wallpaper

Winter day with the smell of the spring in it.

Urban Sketching in Moscow.

I am back to sketching my city. This time I was waiting in the car and sketched the view in front of me in ink pen and pencils.

Snow Storm Impression

30x40cm, Pastel on Toned Paper

It felt so good, sitting at the window inside warm and comfy place, looking at snow dance outside and trying to catch the feeling of the snow.

Irish Impressions 4. Muckross

Muckross House and Garden (here).