Layered still lifes of the artist who was able to "tame" watercolor

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Painter Sergey Nikolaevich Andriyaka is widely known in the world not only as one of the most talented masters of academic watercolor painting, but also as an excellent teacher and organizer who created in Moscow a unique School and Academy of watercolors, which have no analogues in the world. Our publication contains a gallery of delightful works by a Russian watercolorist, a talented teacher and continuer of the dynasty.

It is thanks to Sergei Andriyaka that watercolor in our time in Russia has found a new life and has taken its rightful place along with oil painting. Moreover, not only by the criteria of demand, but also by their colorful qualities, by figurative content and even by size. The artist managed to demonstrate to the viewer the unique possibilities of this technique so excellently that it is sometimes even difficult to believe that his exquisite and emotional works are done in watercolors.

In addition to his creative achievements, Sergei Nikolaevich Andriyaka became widely known as a teacher and creator of the specialized School of Watercolors (1999), and a little later the Academy of Watercolors and Fine Arts (2002), which trains young watercolors. For more than 20 years, this amazing person has been living with creative ideas, ideas, projects, introducing them into his method of working with young talents. And at the same time, he is incredibly happy when, with a brush in hand, he sits down in front of a white sheet of paper to give a master class or create his own work using his favorite technique.

The master of watercolor painting has also been a full member of the Russian Academy of Arts for many years, People's Artist of Russia, rector of the Academy created by him and the artistic director of the School of Watercolors. His works are exhibited in various countries of the world and are kept in many museum collections in Russia and abroad, as well as in private collections.

About the artist

The future artist was born in July 1958 in the family of the Honored Artist of the RSFSR and a school teacher at the Moscow Art Institute named after V. I. Surikov Nikolai Ivanovich Andriyaka, who taught the art of painting from the very foundation of the school (1939).

Little Seryozha began to draw at the age of six, inspired by the works of his father, who, of course, had a huge influence on the choice of his son's profession. The emphasis was on watercolor, which became the artist's favorite technique in the future. In 1976, the young man graduated from the Moscow Secondary Art School at the Institute named after V. I. Surikov. A year later, in 1977, his father unexpectedly died, and Sergei had to combine further studies at the Moscow State Art Institute (faculty of painting) with work.

At the beginning of the 80s, Sergei Andriyaka worked in the Creative Workshops at the Academy of Arts, and already closer to the middle he moved to a teaching position. In parallel, he lectured at the Surikov Institute and the Moscow Secondary Art School. And in his free time he worked a lot as an artist - he painted landscapes and wonderful still lifes.

The vocation is to teach others

It came naturally. Having gained tremendous experience, Sergei unexpectedly decided, like his father, to teach others. This is how the idea of creating an educational institution for aspiring artists came about. In 1999, Sergey Nikolaevich Andriyaka founded in the capital the first and so far the only one in the country School of watercolors of his own name. And three years later he initiated and founded the Academy of Watercolors and Fine Arts named after Sergei Andriyaka. And now, for more than two decades, the talented watercolorist has been teaching his students the art of art and the intricacies of the profession.

"" - this is how Sergey Nikolaevich explains the reason why the creation of the Academy was vital.

The Academy of Watercolors, of which Andriyaka is the rector and teacher to this day, prepares young artists according to his own program. And he, giving master classes, like a wise mentor, generously shares his knowledge and rich experience with his students. By the way, in 2005, Sergei Nikolaevich received the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation for his services in the professional field.

A few words about creative research

The artist began his creative career with oil paints, gouache and tempera. He was also engaged in mosaics, stained glass, etching, painting on porcelain and enamel. As a result, I settled on watercolor painting.

Relying on the traditions and techniques of the masters of classical multilayer watercolors, Sergei Andriyaka in his work began to use layer-by-layer glazing registrations on the dry or dried surface of a paper sheet, completely avoiding whitewash.

It should also be noted that Andriyaka paints his mesmerizing watercolors with the help of subtle coloristic transitions, thus conveying a light-air environment, which perfectly gives naturalism to images in landscapes and still lifes, which are the main genres of the master's work. However, Sergei Nikolaevich also has excellent portraits in his creative piggy bank, which are characterized by a deep psycho-emotional coloring.

However, the artist's favorite genre is still-life watercolor, which deserve the most positive responses at all exhibitions. The viewer feels a special charm and tenderness when looking at the master's flower arrangements, where modest bouquets of daisies and lilies of the valley, or luxurious bouquets of peonies, royal irises and chrysanthemums seem to exude a fragrant aroma.

The viewer is fascinated by the diversity of Russian nature. Here you can see the joy of March awakening, thoughtfulness and some peace of October and the crystal clear glow of January snow. The grandeur and beauty of ancient Orthodox churches, oriental themes, Western European subjects are incredibly impressive. Many of the master's works are devoted to the architecture of both Russian and foreign cities. It should be noted that the artist has an excellent professional visual memory, and he often draws from memory, and often without a preliminary pencil drawing.

The work of Sergei Nikolaevich Andriyaka reveals to the viewer the beauty of the beautiful world around us. The play of color and light, the grace of lines and a responsible approach to compositional construction - this is the foundation on which the teacher himself stands and teaches his students to stand. Carefully keeping the secrets of artists of the past and creatively, starting from modern trends, the artist-teacher develops innovative ideas and techniques both in his work and in the work of his students, and also popularizes multi-layer watercolor painting.

Looking at the work of the master, you understand how complex and painstaking his work is. How much strength, patience and skill it takes to write so amazingly. This is incomprehensible to the mind … But an important factor in creativity, like inspiration, I think, he probably draws from his students, who will one day come to replace him.

P. S

For many, for sure, the fate of another Moscow artist will be interesting, who in 1987 founded a higher educational institution of art in the capital - the Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Ilya Glazunov. At one time, his "Glazunov corporate style" admired some, resented and annoyed others, and others kept neutrality at all, but no one remained indifferent.

Read about the amazing fate of the author of the most ambitious canvases, which made the public fiercely argue, read in our publication: Two sides of the same coin: little-known pages of the life and work of Ilya Glazunov