Khokhloma painting is particularly attractive. In the characteristic red-gold intricate curls and wonderful natural motifs can peer for a very long time. Dishes with such a painting fascinate with their appearance, while it is not only elegant and colorful, which makes it an excellent souvenir, but also very practical.
A bit of history
The word "Khokhloma" entered into circulation due to the name of the settlement, which was also a significant in scale shopping center of the XVII century not far from Nizhny Novgorod. According to one version, the Khokhloma painting appeared due to the influence of the Old Believers, who as a result of persecution came to the area of Nizhny Novgorod, bringing with them the traditions of icon painting and the creation of book miniatures with a set of original symbolism and painted patterns. At the same time, local craftsmen created high-quality dishes and kitchen utensils made of wood.
The use of a special technique in decorating these objects led to the appearance of the painting style, which is now called Khokhloma.
According to another version, gold motifs were used in the design of kitchen items before the Old Believers arrived in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Table vessels and spoons in local villages were painted “under tin” - with the use of tin powder, which gave an elegant look to things after processing.
The heyday of painting fell on the XVIII century. Wooden utensils, painted in a special way, enjoyed demand in the market. It spread not only across Russia, but also went to the countries of Central Asia, India and Persia. In Arkhangelsk, colorful practical things for table use were readily bought by the Germans, the British and the French.
However, after a time, when large-scale crockery production was established in Russia, hand-made kitchenware items even with the original design were not held in high esteem, since factory-made things cost considerably less money compared to piece goods.
Khokhloma painting found its second birth in the 20s of the last century. Then they began to form special schools for processing wood and creating unique Khokhloma painting. Masters of their craft took part in numerous international competitions.
Over time, the Khokhloma painting has become something of a cultural brand in Russia, which is still today.
Variants of painting
A sign of the Khokhloma style in decorating various kitchen items is the use of gold, red and black colors. Also actively used orange and yellow. The color of lazur-like feeling of peace is much less common. Sometimes you can find dishes with a predominantly green color. For painting using oil paints that can withstand the firing temperature.
The painting is applied due to the top or background letter. Riding means drawing a pattern in black or red over a gold background.
Background - when you first do the painting itself, and then paint over the background. Often, when creating a specific product, background and upper letters are used simultaneously.
Khokhloma ornaments are very characteristic and recognizable both by motives and by the manner of drawing.
- Grass. Grass blades are applied with ornate lines intricately intertwining. Additions are images of small berries and spikelets.
- Flower pattern. It is drawn with wider strokes than in the previous case. Thanks to it petals turn out. They are complemented by images of berries located around the stems.
- Gingerbread Pattern. The ornament fits into a geometric shape - a square, a rhombus, a circle.
- Kudrin - an ornament of golden curls, in many respects and determining the style of Khokhloma. Often gold represents large branches with leaves protruding, for example, as a border along the edge of the product.
In traditional Khokhloma paintings, the masters also often include images of fabulous birds, insects, fish and animals.
The painting is inseparable from the other stages of the creation of dishes, since the basis for drawing the picture is important, as well as further processing of the object, which allows to keep the drawing in use and give it artistic completeness. It is no coincidence that before applying the image, the dishes are covered with a waterproof solution. Then - with oil, for example, linseed, thanks to which smoothness and glossy shine are achieved. After that there is a stage of tinning, when aluminum powder is applied to the surface, which allows to achieve a mirror shine.
On the already painted dishes at least 5 times put a special varnish that has a yellowish sheen. Drying time is given after each varnishing stage.
At the end of processing, objects are placed in a furnace at a temperature of 150 degrees and kept there for 4 hours so that a golden-bronze film forms on the surface - a characteristic sign of the Khokhloma painting.
Types of dishes
Buy, order from the master or paint in the style of Khokhloma with your own hands can be the most diverse in its purpose dishes. It can be just a pair of tea or a whole set of many items with characteristic patterns:
- beer;
- wine;
- for dessert;
- for spices;
- for first courses.
Popular are painted in the spirit of Khokhloma:
- plates and spoons;
- trays;
- jugs;
- cups;
- candy and fruit bowl;
- sugar bowls;
- buckets;
- teapots.
Some people form individual sets of individual objects, focusing on certain patterns that are the focus of the composition on specific specimens.
You can, for example, collect your own “strawberry”, “raspberry” or “currant” kit.
Materials
- The most natural look dishes with Khokhloma painting, made from wood. The tree itself is very light, but after processing it becomes harder and takes on Khokhloma golden honey hues. A wooden painted plate or a pair of tea with such a pattern is quite practical.
- More familiar to dishes in our century are porcelain and ceramics. It is convenient to paint on porcelain, since the surface of the material is smooth. The drawing is beautiful and neat. Even very small objects can be made of porcelain.
- Ceramic tableware good because it keeps the heat like a thermos. At the same time decorated with Khokhloma, it looks festive on any table.
- Khokhloma painting also decorate glassware - jars, glasses, jugs and other vessels.
Khokhloma paints are mainly autumnal shades. Connoisseurs of the corresponding palette will find in the dishes with characteristic motifs the freshness of the Russian autumn day. It is no coincidence that many seek to enrich the house with objects with such murals. A table lined with dishes with a Khokhloma pattern looks royally.
On the painting in the style of Khokhloma, see below.
