ART BLOG
Ukranian art studio Artym's Lab
art ukraine
Artym's Lab art studio in Odesa
It all began back in 2013.
May 13 marks our anniversary...
We count it from the day we opened our first studio on Rishelievska Street back in 2013. So much has changed since then!
The quarantine gave us a push to grow, and the war revealed our active role as volunteers.
If we talk in numbers, over these 10 years, together we’ve painted on canvases totaling more than 1250 m² and used nearly 3500 tubes of oil paint. From all these paintings, you could build a cozy villa filled with bold palette knife textures and smooth strokes of classical art.
Calculating the paper, pencils, and brushes is a whole other challenge… so let’s not even try! 😊
But the best measure of all is the countless happy faces of our clients after each class or course—and that number just keeps growing every day!
During this time, we’ve created around 45 video lessons and 5 unique art courses.
And our amazing designer built a website for all of them: artymslab.online.
Plus, two English teachers translated nearly all of our video content into both English and Ukrainian.
We’re so grateful you’ve chosen us and stayed with us over the years. Together, we’re making the world of art and creative practice more mindful, strong, and welcoming!
Onward and upward—together!
A huge thank you to everyone who has been, is, and will be part of our team. 💛
We count it from the day we opened our first studio on Rishelievska Street back in 2013. So much has changed since then!
The quarantine gave us a push to grow, and the war revealed our active role as volunteers.
If we talk in numbers, over these 10 years, together we’ve painted on canvases totaling more than 1250 m² and used nearly 3500 tubes of oil paint. From all these paintings, you could build a cozy villa filled with bold palette knife textures and smooth strokes of classical art.
Calculating the paper, pencils, and brushes is a whole other challenge… so let’s not even try! 😊
But the best measure of all is the countless happy faces of our clients after each class or course—and that number just keeps growing every day!
During this time, we’ve created around 45 video lessons and 5 unique art courses.
And our amazing designer built a website for all of them: artymslab.online.
Plus, two English teachers translated nearly all of our video content into both English and Ukrainian.
We’re so grateful you’ve chosen us and stayed with us over the years. Together, we’re making the world of art and creative practice more mindful, strong, and welcoming!
Onward and upward—together!
A huge thank you to everyone who has been, is, and will be part of our team. 💛
Look at this beautiful moment from the studio we’ve captured just for you!
art classes Artym's Lab
Preparation for art university can take many forms. It’s not always about the basics or classic drawing and painting exercises. Often, we help our students build their portfolios or prepare for challenging drawing exams. 🎨📚.
Drawing from life.
still life
A large still life featuring a wine bucket.
Drawing a still life like this with a pencil is quite a challenge! Just look at all the ellipses, complex transitions of forms, and perspective foreshortening. Our student, Kira, created an incredible "three-story" still life with precise perspective and detailed tonal analysis. 🎨
still life
A still life with a female portrait and cotton flowers. 🎨🌿
A slightly minimalist still life for Kira, yet strikingly tonal—light objects on dark fabric: a complex plaster female mask, a pair of pitchers, and, of course, cotton!
Pure pencil-drawn beauty, perfect for framing and hanging on a wall—even though it’s just a study piece. 🎨✨
Pure pencil-drawn beauty, perfect for framing and hanging on a wall—even though it’s just a study piece. 🎨✨
still Life
A Still Life with Fabrics and a Plaster Form
Two fabrics with intricate drapery, a plaster rosette, glossy pitchers, and cubic forms. As always, a detailed masterpiece from our student.
Kira once again proves that patience and skillful hands can create a true masterpiece! 👏
Kira once again proves that patience and skillful hands can create a true masterpiece! 👏
one day in Artym's Lab
interview with the founder of the art studio Yulia Artym
A new episode about a day in the life of artists and the art studio "ARTYMSLAB" in our wonderful city, Odesa.
The star of this episode, the amazing Yulia Artym – founder and lead specialist of "ARTYMSLAB," will share fascinating stories and answer the key questions about the artist's profession and how to start painting.
The star of this episode, the amazing Yulia Artym – founder and lead specialist of "ARTYMSLAB," will share fascinating stories and answer the key questions about the artist's profession and how to start painting.
Drawing for adults
Do you have a desire to learn to draw?
"As a child, I dreamed of learning to draw well... But time has already passed..."
It's time to realize your dream!
Our art studio helps realize the artistic dreams of adult girls around the world
For many adult women, ladies, and even grandmothers, fulfilling lifelong dreams and expressing creative ideas is deeply meaningful. However, life often gets in the way—we manage to do almost everything else, yet the dream of creating beautiful, handmade drawings, paintings, and art pieces remains unrealized.
Based on our ten years of experience at our studio in Odesa, we can confidently say: it’s never too late to learn!
We’ve welcomed women aged 60 and even up to 75 who are eager to master the creative possibilities of acrylics, oil paints, watercolor, or pastels. And they excel at it beautifully!
So, if your dream is still waiting to be fulfilled, don’t hesitate—sign up for our free courses and then move on to our full, comprehensive programs in artistic pastel, watercolor, or oil painting.
We’re always here to help you on your creative journey!
Based on our ten years of experience at our studio in Odesa, we can confidently say: it’s never too late to learn!
We’ve welcomed women aged 60 and even up to 75 who are eager to master the creative possibilities of acrylics, oil paints, watercolor, or pastels. And they excel at it beautifully!
So, if your dream is still waiting to be fulfilled, don’t hesitate—sign up for our free courses and then move on to our full, comprehensive programs in artistic pastel, watercolor, or oil painting.
We’re always here to help you on your creative journey!
For adults, we’ve developed special learning programs covering the basics of academic drawing, botanical illustration, and oil painting. Additionally, we’ve created a pastel illustration course. These are comprehensive and engaging programs where you can choose illustrations based on their difficulty level and your personal skill level.
You can also sign up to access over 30 free lessons on our website or attend our workshops at the studio in Odesa.
Whether online or offline, you’ll never feel bored in our courses! 🌟
You can also sign up to access over 30 free lessons on our website or attend our workshops at the studio in Odesa.
Whether online or offline, you’ll never feel bored in our courses! 🌟
Support of the Armed Forces
We received greetings from the guys from the front
Our entire team and clients were deeply touched by such a heartfelt message.
It’s incredible how many people contribute through their art, dedicating it to a noble cause!
We are immensely grateful to our ancestors for their resilience and the strength of spirit that inspires us to support the brave men and women defending us.
A special thank you to Yulia Sobol and her team of volunteers for everything they do! Their work is beyond measure—it saves lives, protects health, and secures our future.
We also thank the soldiers on the front lines, who, despite their intense duties and battles, found time to create something so beautiful for us. We are truly grateful for the safety they provide and for preserving Ukrainian Odesa.
Sending heartfelt hugs to everyone!
Let’s keep working toward Ukraine’s victory, each on our own front, united for one shared triumph. 💙💛
It’s incredible how many people contribute through their art, dedicating it to a noble cause!
We are immensely grateful to our ancestors for their resilience and the strength of spirit that inspires us to support the brave men and women defending us.
A special thank you to Yulia Sobol and her team of volunteers for everything they do! Their work is beyond measure—it saves lives, protects health, and secures our future.
We also thank the soldiers on the front lines, who, despite their intense duties and battles, found time to create something so beautiful for us. We are truly grateful for the safety they provide and for preserving Ukrainian Odesa.
Sending heartfelt hugs to everyone!
Let’s keep working toward Ukraine’s victory, each on our own front, united for one shared triumph. 💙💛
Shall we draw a bouquet of wildflowers together?!
Step-by-Step Guide to Painting a Bouquet with Imprimatura
1. Imprimatura Base Layer
Evenly cover the canvas with a thin layer of light lavender paint to create a base tone. This will unify the composition and serve as a harmonious underlayer.
2. Initial Sketch
Sketch the large shapes of the light flowers, forming the main structure of the composition, along with the vase.
3. Painting Greenery
Start adding patches of greenery. Focus on the darkest and mid-tone leaves first. Use light, fluid strokes to outline the branches.
4. Background
With broad brushstrokes, add touches of light blue to the background. Form a shadow below and to the left of the vase to anchor it in the composition.
5. Enhancing Greenery
Using a smaller brush, add more intricate branches and leaves. Focus on making the darker, sharper leaves more defined, especially near the center of the bouquet.
6. Purple Flowers
Paint small purple flowers along the edges of the bouquet. Carefully mix the color to ensure it contrasts subtly with the background and doesn’t appear too dark.
7. Refining the Vase
Add highlights and reflections to the vase, creating a glowing effect that suggests transparency or a polished surface.
8. Final Flower Details
Add depth and detail to the flowers using thicker layers of paint. Build up textures and refine their shapes to bring the bouquet to life.
1. Imprimatura Base Layer
Evenly cover the canvas with a thin layer of light lavender paint to create a base tone. This will unify the composition and serve as a harmonious underlayer.
2. Initial Sketch
Sketch the large shapes of the light flowers, forming the main structure of the composition, along with the vase.
3. Painting Greenery
Start adding patches of greenery. Focus on the darkest and mid-tone leaves first. Use light, fluid strokes to outline the branches.
4. Background
With broad brushstrokes, add touches of light blue to the background. Form a shadow below and to the left of the vase to anchor it in the composition.
5. Enhancing Greenery
Using a smaller brush, add more intricate branches and leaves. Focus on making the darker, sharper leaves more defined, especially near the center of the bouquet.
6. Purple Flowers
Paint small purple flowers along the edges of the bouquet. Carefully mix the color to ensure it contrasts subtly with the background and doesn’t appear too dark.
7. Refining the Vase
Add highlights and reflections to the vase, creating a glowing effect that suggests transparency or a polished surface.
8. Final Flower Details
Add depth and detail to the flowers using thicker layers of paint. Build up textures and refine their shapes to bring the bouquet to life.
- This layered approach ensures a balanced, vibrant composition with both delicate and bold elements! 🌸
How to draw light tender tulips?
- Painting a Tulip Flower in a Simplified StyleSketch and Color Plan
- Begin by marking which tulips will be pink and which will be white. Arrange the flowers asymmetrically using a "diagonal" composition. Add the vase silhouette on one side.
- Base Colors
- Work with light yellow and yellow tones. Indicate the centers of the white tulips and highlight reflections on the vase.
- Pink Tulips
- Paint the general shapes of the pink tulips, keeping in mind to add more saturated shadow accents for depth.
- Greenery
- Map out the leaves and stems. Focus darker greens closer to the center of the bouquet to create dimension. Make the leaves flexible, with slightly curled edges for a natural look.
- Background Touches
- Add subtle strokes of light blue and pale green to the background to complement the composition.
- Detailing the Tulips
- Refine the centers of the open tulips. It's important to vary the shape and positioning of the flowers to keep the arrangement dynamic and realistic. Not all tulips should look identical.
- By layering thoughtfully and balancing the colors, you’ll create a beautiful, harmonious bouquet painting! 🌷
"Truly, art is embedded in nature; whoever knows how to discover it, he owns it."
— Albrecht Dürer
Живопис на декупажі
If you want to draw something original - try drawing on decoupage canvas!
How It Works:
1. Preparation
We prepare canvases using the decoupage technique.
Special decorative paper or newspapers are applied and coated with two layers of varnish to create a smooth surface ideal for painting.
2. Choosing a Theme
You decide what exactly you’d like to paint. For inspiration, we have a variety of illustrations to choose from.
3. Selecting a Canvas
Each of our decoupage canvases is unique, so you’ll need to pick the one that resonates with you.
4. Sketching the Design
The initial sketch is done with pastel, which is easier to adjust or erase if needed.
5. Painting the Artwork
When painting on a decoupage canvas, there’s no need to work on the background. You can fully focus on the main elements, using a "top-down" perspective for a distinctive effect.
1. Preparation
We prepare canvases using the decoupage technique.
Special decorative paper or newspapers are applied and coated with two layers of varnish to create a smooth surface ideal for painting.
2. Choosing a Theme
You decide what exactly you’d like to paint. For inspiration, we have a variety of illustrations to choose from.
3. Selecting a Canvas
Each of our decoupage canvases is unique, so you’ll need to pick the one that resonates with you.
4. Sketching the Design
The initial sketch is done with pastel, which is easier to adjust or erase if needed.
5. Painting the Artwork
When painting on a decoupage canvas, there’s no need to work on the background. You can fully focus on the main elements, using a "top-down" perspective for a distinctive effect.
"The most important tool of an artist, which is formed through constant training, is the belief in his ability to create miracles when necessary."
— Mark Rothko
Preparation for admission to an art university
We can, we know how, we practice
First and foremost, we need to know which university you’ve chosen and what their requirements are for applicants: a portfolio, an art exam, or something else entirely. That’s why we ask you to provide us with information that will help us prepare you for the entrance exams or assist in creating your portfolio.
Of course, teaching someone to draw complex plaster heads from life in one month, or interior sketches in two weeks, from scratch is not realistic. However, if you start with us in advance—at least 4–6 months ahead—there’s a real chance of success.
Naturally, it will involve a lot of work: studying the fundamentals of academic drawing and painting, linear and atmospheric perspective, practicing drawing simple forms like pitchers and cups from life, and plenty of shading with pencil and charcoal.
Learning to draw from scratch in a short period is only possible with passionate immersion in the art.
We create a customized training program tailored specifically to your needs and the requirements of your chosen university. If needed, we’ll adapt the program along the way.
You can work with any materials you prefer in our studio, but you will also need to practice at home. We’ll help you acquire all the necessary tools and supplies.
Our experience includes preparing students for admission to universities in Poland, the UK, Italy, and Portugal, as well as almost all of Ukraine’s art schools and alma maters.
Of course, teaching someone to draw complex plaster heads from life in one month, or interior sketches in two weeks, from scratch is not realistic. However, if you start with us in advance—at least 4–6 months ahead—there’s a real chance of success.
Naturally, it will involve a lot of work: studying the fundamentals of academic drawing and painting, linear and atmospheric perspective, practicing drawing simple forms like pitchers and cups from life, and plenty of shading with pencil and charcoal.
Learning to draw from scratch in a short period is only possible with passionate immersion in the art.
We create a customized training program tailored specifically to your needs and the requirements of your chosen university. If needed, we’ll adapt the program along the way.
You can work with any materials you prefer in our studio, but you will also need to practice at home. We’ll help you acquire all the necessary tools and supplies.
Our experience includes preparing students for admission to universities in Poland, the UK, Italy, and Portugal, as well as almost all of Ukraine’s art schools and alma maters.
Oil paints vs Acrylic
thoughts
What would you choose: acrylic or oil paints?
Please note that this is our professional opinion based on subjective experience
Having worked with oil paints for over 25 years and having created numerous artworks, you naturally tend to prefer what feels familiar – painting or creating art with oil paints. Their thick, rich consistency is well-controlled with synthetic or bristle brushes. Oil paints also work beautifully with a palette knife.
Of course, there are toxic solvents associated with oil paints, such as turpentine, white spirit, or even "odorless" variants, which still have a noticeable smell. Additionally, varnishes for oil paints are never truly odorless. For this reason, we often choose to work with linseed oil, which is less toxic. However, this comes with a trade-off: oil paints take longer to dry. In winter, drying might take up to a month, while in summer, it typically takes 4-6 days. But on the bright side, it doesn’t smell.
Acrylic paints, on the other hand, have a thinner consistency and mix slightly less smoothly. In this regard, it’s better to choose spectral colors, as acrylics lack the blending plasticity of oil paints. Mixing too hastily can result in a muddy color. However, acrylic paints offer an array of bright, unnatural colors that can add vibrancy to your palette.
Acrylics dry quickly, which is both an advantage and a drawback. When working "wet-on-wet" with a palette knife, you need to act swiftly to achieve your desired effects.
Conclusion: Acrylics are excellent for creating vibrant, quick artworks, while oils are perfect for deep, complex textures, rich color palettes, and intricate creative concepts.
The best part? You don’t have to choose between them. You can create stunning works with oil paints and, once they’re dry, enhance them with acrylics.
Because your creative vision is as boundless as the universe. 🌌
Of course, there are toxic solvents associated with oil paints, such as turpentine, white spirit, or even "odorless" variants, which still have a noticeable smell. Additionally, varnishes for oil paints are never truly odorless. For this reason, we often choose to work with linseed oil, which is less toxic. However, this comes with a trade-off: oil paints take longer to dry. In winter, drying might take up to a month, while in summer, it typically takes 4-6 days. But on the bright side, it doesn’t smell.
Acrylic paints, on the other hand, have a thinner consistency and mix slightly less smoothly. In this regard, it’s better to choose spectral colors, as acrylics lack the blending plasticity of oil paints. Mixing too hastily can result in a muddy color. However, acrylic paints offer an array of bright, unnatural colors that can add vibrancy to your palette.
Acrylics dry quickly, which is both an advantage and a drawback. When working "wet-on-wet" with a palette knife, you need to act swiftly to achieve your desired effects.
Conclusion: Acrylics are excellent for creating vibrant, quick artworks, while oils are perfect for deep, complex textures, rich color palettes, and intricate creative concepts.
The best part? You don’t have to choose between them. You can create stunning works with oil paints and, once they’re dry, enhance them with acrylics.
Because your creative vision is as boundless as the universe. 🌌
written by art studio Artym's Lab
All rights reserved
All rights reserved