Andrey,

What a stunning piece. Your technique is awesome. I am looking forward to your future posts.

Jerome

Dear Andrey,

Just saw this post of yours today. I have been trying to catch up lately with the posts after about 3 weeks of having no computer.

Fantastic pieces! You paint with such mastery of technique, and the realism is very credible. Congratulations from all the way over here.

Do you prepare your own canvas? The reason I ask is because the measurement you gave (120 x 85) is not a standard stretcher size (or IS it over there?), so I presumed you prepared this for the specific purpose of this portrait.

Welcome to the forum!

Carlos

Hi, Allan
I'm sorry for silence. I'll try to answer your questions. In Russia each art academy has the own technique of training. It is very difficult for me to answer in the letter how students study drawing and painting in academies. I think, that the basis of any technique is daily, thoughtful work with nature . Step by step, from simple forms to complex, etc. plus knowledge and understanding of elementary laws of a composition.
I use some palettes to hold all process under control. I have a large (basic) palette and a some additional palletes: a palette of light, of shadow, of warmth and of cold. Very conveniently in the work. You can try.
All Best.
Andrey.

Hi, Carlos,
Thanks for your letter. That's the point that ideas of the artist not always coincide with the standart sizes of a canvas. Therefore sometimes I prepare for canvases myself.
All Best,
Andrey

These are really beautiful Andrey, lovely poses and your rendering of clothing is superb.

Not much else to say really, look forward to seeing some more.

Chris