St. Petersburg is one of the best places for plein air. It’s surprising that it’s only 800 km from Moscow, but even the palette is significantly different. For example, for the St. Petersburg sky I used quite a lot of Prussian blue, but in Moscow I practically don’t use it. The harsh St. Petersburg weather at the end of July, in the middle of summer, forced us to dress very warmly and hide from the rain, but this did not stop us from enjoying the process, and the cultural program was varied as always. We started our plein air with a visit to the Mariinsky Theater and the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” and of course there were boats along the canals, museums, restaurants and a lot of walks. During the six days we were there, I wrote ten papers. I painted on average two works a day and, in general, I was satisfied with each work, because plein air is short sketches, 3 hours maximum, in order to capture the impression, the state of nature. Some of my paintings you can find at the exhibition by the International Arts Fund in the Cultural Centre “Moscvitch” till 16th of September.
Питер – одно из лучших мест для пленэра. Удивительно, что всего в 800 км от Москвы, но даже палитра существенно отличается. Например, для Питерского неба у меня ушло довольно много Берлинской лазури, а в Москве я ее практически не использую. Суровая Питерская погода в конце июля, в середине лета, заставила нас очень тепло одеваться и прятаться от дождиков, но это нам нисколько не помешало получить удовольствие от процесса, а культурная программа как всегда была разнообразна. Наш пленэр мы начали с посещения Мариинского театра и с балета “Ромео и Джульетта” и конечно были кораблики по каналам, музеи, рестораны и много прогулок. За шесть дней нашего пребывания там я написала десять работ. Писала в среднем по две работы в день и, в целом, я каждой работой осталась довольна, ведь пленэр – это короткие этюды, по 3 часа максимум, для того, чтобы уловить впечатление, состояние природы. Некоторые работы можно увидеть на экспозиции Международного Художественного Фонда в КЦ “Москвич” до 16 октября.
40×40 Oil on canvas (board) “English Embankment”, 2023
“There is a quay in Saint Petersburg on Neva river with a title English Embankment. It is named after the former British Embassy
and the English church that was located nearby. Now there are still ships moored and a nice view to the Neva cargo port. Plein-air painting.”
50×40 Oil on canvas (board) “The Sun in St.Petersburg”, 2023
“The view from the channel of Griboyedov. It is very recognizable architecture of St.Petersburg.”
40×40 Oil on canvas (board) “Unsteady skies of St.Petersburg”, 2023
“The location is near to the Potseluev Bridge in Saint Petersburg with a beautiful view to the St.Isaac’s Cathedral.
The plein-air was in the evening so the skies were highlighted by the sunset.”
40×40 Oil on canvas (board) “Semimostye”, 2023
“Semimost’ye place in St.Petersburg. You can count seven bridges around. You can make a wish. This is the one of them.”
40×40 Oil on canvas (board) “Windows of St.Petersburg”, 2023
“This is a special and recognizable architecture of St. Petersburg.”
40×40 Oil on canvas (board) “St.Isaac’s Cathedral”, 2023
“Here comes the St.Isaac’s Cathedral, one of the most famous sightseeing of Saint Petersburg. Plein-air painting.”
Exhibition: 2023 – International Arts Fund “Moscow vs St. Petersburg”
30×40 Oil on canvas (board) “The boats on the channel of Griboyedov”, 2023
“These motor-boats were parked on the channel of Griboyedov. Saint Petersburg is a nice place to take a trip by the motorboat. Some people has their own boats there.”
40×30 Oil on canvas (board) “Under the blue skies”, 2023
“Unusual point of view on Kazan Cathedral, one of the most famous sightseeing of Saint Petersburg. Plein-air painting.”
50×40 Oil on canvas (board) “Laces of St.Petersburg”, 2023
“St. Petersburg is also known for its unique wrought iron fences. They looks like the laces of the city. The view is from the Summer Garden to Fontanka river and the street behind it. Plein-air painting.”
Exhibitions: 2023 – “Moscow vs St. Petersburg” International Arts Fund.
40×40 Oil on canvas (board) “Pink and Blue Evening Light”, 2023
“Late evening plein-air near the Church of the Savior on Blood. There is Three-Arched Bridge and the view facing the Mikhailovsky Palace.”