Vadim Dolgov – Friday Night Guest Feb. 21, 2020

Vadim Dolgov knew from an early age he wanted to be an artist just like his father and uncle. As a child growing up in Orenburg, Russia, he was always drawing. He visited the museums to study how the masters painted, however, nature was his first teacher. Through seeing and observing the relationships in nature and making “life sketches”, he developed his artistic skills. One of his most important observations was how light source establishes the overall composition. He would choose simple subject matter to paint like water and sky. Having a clear idea of what to paint and how the finished artwork will look before he paints is essential. Making small sketches and having photo references are also beneficial.

Vadim paints in oils and acrylics. His style ranges from representational to abstract although he often combines the two. Regardless of which style, the same rules of composition apply: warm colour next to a cool, determine light source and its relationship with colour, shape and form. When he starts a new painting he feels free to do anything – even “mistakes” – as it can all be painted over. The end it is about defining the finished look where every brush stroke counts.

During Vadim’s abstract landscape demonstration he first wets the canvas with water. With broad sweeps of acrylic paint mixed onto a large palette knife he lays pure colours onto the canvas. He wants to establish an environment with colour. As he works the entire canvas, the colours become less saturated and more muted. He determines a light source and a focal point. Darker colours appear in the background; lighter ones in the foreground. Details start to appear. Trees. Leaves. Bits of sky. He switches to a smaller palette knife then brush. He shares with us that pure colour does not exist in nature. Only mixed. You can see as he works he is always thinking. His aim: to create interest, movement, harmony. He stops painting. Tomorrow he will look at it with a fresh eye.