Secrets of Zhostovo painting revealed at the National Centre RUSSIA in Primorye
The history of one of Russia’s most recognisable traditional art forms was explored at the branch of the National Centre RUSSIA in the Primorye region. Participants of the workshop "Zhostovo Tray Painting" tried their hand at becoming artists. The event took place as part of the educational series "National Patterns".
The workshop was led by teachers from Vladivostok Children’s Art School No. 1 — Galina Tomilova, Irina Kosach and Irina Kuzmina. Young participants painted trays in the famous decorative technique with their own hands.
"Zhostovo painting originated in the early 19th century in the village of Zhostovo near Moscow, where the Vishnyakov brothers were the first to decorate metal trays with bright floral compositions. Over time, the technique evolved and gained international recognition, becoming a symbol of traditional Russian decorative art," said teacher Galina Tomilova.
Participants learned that Zhostovo trays are made of metal, primed and coated with black enamel before artists begin painting with oil colours. A distinctive feature of the style is its multilayered technique: it starts with the "zamalyovok" — soft shapes of the future flowers — followed by shading ("tenezhka"), highlights ("prokladka" and "blikovka"), and the final detailing stage known as "chertezhka".
The instructors shared the secrets behind the characteristic brushstrokes made with squirrel-hair brushes, which make the flowers on the trays appear vivid and full of life.
The key goal of the Forum is to introduce senior school students to the best universities and colleges of the Far East and attract talented young people from across the country to the region.
The event brought together representatives of the authorities, the Indigenous Udege people, Bikin National Park, and the regional tourism industry.
