The artist Nikolay Eregin painted the landscape ‘Autumn in the Woods’ on birch bark. Its irregular texture became part of the painting — the artist turned the grey areas into the slopes of a deep ravine. The deciduous trees above have become yellow by autumn.
The art of painting on birch bark appeared in Russia around the 15th century. At first, this technique was used to decorate small wicker boxes of various types. Only by the 19th century, artists began to use birch bark as a surface for paintings. They harvested it only from broken or wind-felled trees. The upper white layer was removed, and the rest of the bark was divided into thin yellowish layers. Coarse lumps were removed, and then the sheets were put under a press and dried in this position for two to three weeks. If the bark became too dry, it was moistened with water and the process was repeated. When the birch bark was ready, it was stored in a dry room; otherwise, it could become damp and moldy.
To create a painting on birch bark, artists first cover it with a primer based on chalk and glue, and let it dry for six up to eight hours. After that, it is possible to draw on it with gouache, tempera, ink, or a gel pen. When the painting is ready, it is usually coated with an oil-based varnish so that it does not crumble or fade in the sun.
Nikolay Eregin, who painted ‘Autumn in the Woods’, was born and lives in the village of Uemsky, Primorsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast. He has mastered several folk crafts: birch bark weaving, painting, and molding traditional Russian clay figurines. Eregin’s works are not only in the Primorye Arts and Crafts Museum but also in private collections around the world.
The art of painting on birch bark appeared in Russia around the 15th century. At first, this technique was used to decorate small wicker boxes of various types. Only by the 19th century, artists began to use birch bark as a surface for paintings. They harvested it only from broken or wind-felled trees. The upper white layer was removed, and the rest of the bark was divided into thin yellowish layers. Coarse lumps were removed, and then the sheets were put under a press and dried in this position for two to three weeks. If the bark became too dry, it was moistened with water and the process was repeated. When the birch bark was ready, it was stored in a dry room; otherwise, it could become damp and moldy.
To create a painting on birch bark, artists first cover it with a primer based on chalk and glue, and let it dry for six up to eight hours. After that, it is possible to draw on it with gouache, tempera, ink, or a gel pen. When the painting is ready, it is usually coated with an oil-based varnish so that it does not crumble or fade in the sun.
Nikolay Eregin, who painted ‘Autumn in the Woods’, was born and lives in the village of Uemsky, Primorsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast. He has mastered several folk crafts: birch bark weaving, painting, and molding traditional Russian clay figurines. Eregin’s works are not only in the Primorye Arts and Crafts Museum but also in private collections around the world.
