Gzhel, a small city in the Moscow region, -center of the famous art craft of Russia. The so-called Gzhel shrub occupies a vast territory and includes 27 villages, whose population has long been engaged in painting various products from white porcelain and faience. The history of the Gzhel fishery can be traced from the 14th century, from the time when a rich clay deposit was discovered near Moscow. The material was heterogeneous: in the upper layers there were layers of simple red "shirevka", below the layers of "furs" of pale yellow color, and in the depths stretched "soap" - the most delicate white clay, an excellent material for the production of high-quality porcelain and earthenware.
Pharmacy needs
Some time they made dishes from white clay andother kitchen utensils. Then came the royal Aptekarsky decree, which prescribes the dispatch of all extracted raw materials to Moscow for the needs of medicine and pharmaceuticals. The production of kitchen utensils had to be postponed, but after a while, additional deposits of white clay were discovered, and, thus, the material was already sufficient for pharmacies and for pottery production. During the abundance of raw materials, an art craft called Gzhel was born.
World fame
Gzhel painting, whose patterns are differenta special style, began to spread across Russia. At first, artists used colorful colors. Then the Gzhel painting, patterns, the theme of the drawing and the general style changed somewhat. The main color was bright blue cobalt paint. Since then the Gzhel painting, whose ornamentation is admired by people all over the world, has become a classic combination of two colors - white and blue. Genuine products do not allow for any other shades, only in some cases the artist can use gold paint for easy decoration.
Flowering
The famous Gzhel painting (patterns, ornaments,plant subjects and much more from what forms the basis of a unique artistic style) was developed in the 19th century. In the rich houses of Russia it was considered a good idea to serve the dining table with dishes from Gzhel porcelain. First of all, this was patriotism, pride for his country. In addition, white and blue plates and tureens cost an order of magnitude cheaper than Meissen porcelain.
Images on the products were also exclusivelyon the Russian theme. Hunting with dogs, dances for Pancake week, Easter procession and many other events of a truly Russian character were depicted on the tableware. Thus, the Gzhel painting, whose patterns were close in spirit to the Russians, became more and more popular.
Handmade
In the beginning of the 20th century the breeders of the Moscow region didattempts to put the production of white and blue products on the flow, but this idea failed. Painting dishes Gzhel patterns must certainly be done manually by experienced artists who are able to put their soul into their work. Mechanical drawing pattern destroys the essence of art, the product becomes faceless.
Gzhel painting, patterns and ornaments,geometric figures or plots from the village life - all this is the result of the creative work of talented artists working at the enterprises of folk art crafts "Gzhel bush". The first sign of the artist's skill is the presence in the painting of halftones, when the pale blue strokes alternate with bright and saturated.
Gzhel painting: patterns
Flower, its delicate petals, plant stem,leaves on thin cuttings ... All this is a classic theme of Gzhel painting. Plants are depicted in a stylized form, but their characteristic features are visible, currant berries cannot be confused with viburnum, and gooseberries cannot be called rose hips, even though all plants, flowers and berries are of the same bright blue color.
Children's theme
Значительная часть изделий гжельских народных crafts is dedicated to children. These are horses and elephants, donkeys and foals, painted trailers with a train, cars and airplanes on which Gzhel painting is present. Designs for children are as skillful as for adults, but the artist approaches the work with much greater responsibility. After all, the child in no case should not be disappointed. Therefore, artists, starting to paint toys and other products for children, try to do the work as best as possible.
Master classes
In the Gzhel production associationsfolk arts and crafts there are sections for teaching people who want to master the art of painting. Future artists undergo special courses of drawing and technologies for creating famous white-blue porcelain products, mastering such kind of folk art as Gzhel painting. The patterns for beginners are simplified; nevertheless, the learning process consists of several stages.
The first lessons include drawing lessons, andmore precisely, drawing the contours of the future image. The strokes are drawn with medium-soft pencil on the paper of the Whatman type without pressure, so that the unsuccessfully marked lines can be erased with an eraser.
After the outline is ready, you canstart coloring. It is better to make a test image with water-soluble paint - water-color, acrylic or gouache. A brush for this will suit any, but for starters, you can use the 2nd number. On a separate piece of paper should make a few strokes to pick up the blue color, suitable for saturation. Then you need to try to draw a flower. If the image on paper turned out well, then in the next stage you can start painting the ceramic product.
Variety of pattern
In the database of each Gzhel enterprisethe release of ceramics has plot and thematic sketches used by technologists if necessary. A variety of Gzhel painting, patterns, photographs, drawings, copies - everything goes into action when you need to launch the next series of products.
Отдельными партиями выпускается авторская products, when products from start to finish are maintained in the status of exclusivity. Their shape is unique, the painting is unique. Such Gzhel is highly valued, experts are trying to purchase this particular product. First-class products differ from the usual detailed study of the picture. The artist draws the smallest nuances, and as a result, a true masterpiece of Gzhel folk art is born.
For sale on site
Recently a good tradition has appeared -in the case of Gzhel production, open a shop selling products of local craftsmen. Works of art became more accessible, the choice increased. Large enterprises of the Gzhel craft established production of super-services, similar to those supplied to the imperial court in the 19th century. Representatives of previous generations remember sets of tableware from 120 and more items. There were sets and smaller, for 12 persons out of 84 items. And very small, for two, called "Tete-a-tete." There was a service even for one person, miniature, which was called "Egoist".
Tsarist monopoly
In those days, many Gzhel productswent abroad. Europeans exported products of Russian craftsmen cars. This went on for quite a long time, until the Russian imperial treasury department became the main buyer of factory products. A monopoly quickly arose, which subdued the production of Gzhel, and since then all products were shipped to the treasury warehouse.
Prospects
Currently Gzhel demand more than ever.Factories and small workshops operate at full capacity. All the inhabitants of the so-called Gzhel bush are engaged in the production of snow-white painted ceramics.
