Khokhloma: dishes with the "Slavic soul" (20 photos)

Russian culture is beautiful in every way. Artistic work has always personified the wealth of the soul of every Slav, and the style and original techniques of some areas are still relevant. For connoisseurs of original Russian motifs and everyone who is looking for original ideas for home crafts, Khokhloma painting is both a source of inspiration and a handy tool for transforming absolutely any thing into a real work of art.

Description

Khokhloma is called the Russian folk craft, which originated in the middle of the XVII century in Nizhny Novgorod. Today it is an example of a rich ornament that looks organically and stylishly in a variety of interpretations.

An old legend says that once in the forests near Nizhny Novgorod on the river bank there was one person. Nobody knew who he was and where he came from, but everyone knew what wonderful paintings he could make so that simple dishes or household items seemed made of pure gold.

The king, having learned of such a craftsman, sent messengers to find the master and bring him to serve in the palace. The search lasted a long time, but no one ever found this person. However, the master had students who continued his work. So in every house of the Novgorodians there were many treasures with ornate drawings, popular today.

What items can be decorated with painting

According to ancient customs, they paint household items, dishes, some elements of the house itself. Ornament decorate both festive decor and everyday option. Most often, the painting is found on the following attributes:

• Spoons;
• Matryoshka dolls;
• Trays
• Large and small plates;
• Saucer
• Caskets;
• Chests of all sizes;
• Small barrels;
• Pots
• Box;
• Spinning accessories;
• Pens;
• Handles of knives and cutlery;
• Vases;
• Cutting boards;
• Shelves in the kitchen.

Traditional Russian traditional motifs are relevant today.

At the peak of popularity, you can find completely unconventional things with the painting of Khokhloma. In fact, any surface can become the basis for bold design experiments in ethnic style: from home textiles and panels of home appliances to airbrushing on cars or body art and tattoo designs.

Types of painting

Today, dishes under Khokhloma are the most popular option for using Russian motifs in the interior. Interesting products can be bought in the store or made by yourself. There are two main types of painting in the Khokhloma style:

• Horseback;
• Background.

Horse painting is done with plastic strokes on the surface, which is pre-hardened. The master initially puts the picture in black or scarlet paint on the background of the future product. There are three formats of ornament.

"Blades of grass"

Depict sedge, whitebird, meadow, using curls and strokes of varying intensity and nature. The general background is complemented by small berries, spikelets and silver tints that enriched the background.

“Under the foliage” or “under the berry”

Masters work in large greasy strokes, through which they depict oval leaves and berries.Most often, daisies, grapes, strawberries, berries of currant and viburnum, bluebells, cranberries and gooseberries are painted.

Gingerbread

This is a geometric figure consisting of a rhombus or square and a central element in the form of the sun. This type of painting is the most conventional and simple.

There are patterns where only one type of pattern is used. The richest and most complex ornaments contain immediately all types of patterns.

Background motifs

Khokhloma background is a combination of a black or red background with a gold pattern. The following artistic techniques are characteristic of writing of this kind:

• "Under the background." Initially, the master forms a drawing (fish, animalistics, plants, geometric compositions), and then fills the background with the corresponding color;
• Kudrina. This is an original technique that allows you to get a painted thing with an abundance of curly patterns. With the help of curls, any motifs and complex compositions are formed (from simple “blades of grass” to complex images of animals or birds).

Gold Khokhloma looks most impressive when gold ornaments are combined only with black and red. Background painting is not complemented by other tones.

General concepts of technology

Initially, the craftsmen made rough billets of wood. In common people, this occupation was called "breaking the buck." The excess wood was removed with a cutter, giving the workpiece the desired shape. Products were primed with vapa (clay). After priming, the workpieces must dry for at least 6 hours. Then the objects were covered with linseed oil. Usually, the masters did not skimp and processed future decor and household items with a few balls of drying oil.

The next stage is intense tinning. The surface of the workpiece was actively treated with aluminum powder. Now the product is ready for direct painting.

Oil paints were used for work. Primary colors: red and black. To make the ornament more dynamic, and the composition itself more lively, sometimes additional shades were used: brown, light green, yellow, milk.

As soon as the drawing was ready, the product was covered with a thick layer of varnish. Then, for 4 hours, the furnace quenched (the temperature reached 160 degrees and above).

How to make Russian painting with your own hands?

Hand-painted dishes will exude a special charm. A beginner can make an exclusive product. However, before proceeding with the decor of selected products, it is better to practice on plain paper or whatman paper.

For the first lessons it is better to arm yourself with a simple brush and any colors. On paper, you can try to depict traditional floral motifs, seamlessly moving to a more complex animalistic.

First attempts

When the technique is a little refined, you can proceed to the practical part. To begin with, it is worth choosing simple products with a flat surface. The following items are considered the most convenient in operation:

• Trays
• Shelves;
• Chairs;
• Fabrics;
• The panel of a laptop or phone;
• Kitchen cutting board.

Perhaps the best option to start is a kitchen board. If the first experience is successful, it will be a spectacular addition to the interior in the kitchen. It is also important to remember that wooden utensils are more convenient to use. But for plastic, silk and other specific textures, one should choose not only special paints, but also pre-treat the surface itself, which will be painted.

About Materials

It is better to refuse raw wood of excessively rough texture and plywood. On the canvas there should be no hollows, nicks and other defects, otherwise sloppy Khokhloma will turn out, dishes for decoration should also be initially of high quality and convenient for drawing.

The easiest way to purchase a ready-made kit for products in the store. Usually it consists of a prepared base and a set of coloring substances, as well as a set of brushes for painting.

Pattern selection

The main rule for beginners: to start with simple drawings, gradually complicating the ornament.The simplest “blades of grass” and “leaves” can then be supplemented with berries, bunches of grapes, willow twigs.
At the next stage, when the hand is already full, you can try to depict a bird of paradise or a cockerel using curls. The easiest way to choose what to depict on the dishes, to find a couple of drawings on the Internet for an example. Colorful pictures will inspire and allow you to see with your own eyes interesting combinations of colors and the principle of working with elements.

Decorating dishes or any products, you can usefully and happily spend your free time. Finished products are used as decor in the house or presented as an original gift to relatives and friends.