Nikolay Pavlov: biography and creativity. Author's dolls handmade

Often puppets with which children of different ages like to play there, attract the attention of adults. To such creatures can be attributed handmade toys, sometimes representing a real masterpiece. It is these dolls and toys that Teddy creates a famous artist and artist Nikolai Pavlov. About him and his work and talk today.

Brief information from the biography of the puppeteer

Nikolai was born in the city of Kursk. There he lived, grew up and graduated from school No. 30. Special education was given in one of the oldest universities in the city - Kursk State University (KSU), where the future master studied at the Faculty of Art and Graphic Design.

At the moment Nikolay Pavlov lives and works in Voronezh. There, in one of the small galleries of the city, he organizes master classes in needlework, and regularly takes part in a variety of exhibitions and presentations.

How did the creative path begin?

At the end of the university, Nikolai tried many different variants of creativity. But most of all he liked to create dolls. At that time no one else could have imagined that a novice artist would seriously take a great interest in this occupation. His master made the first doll in 2006. She was a magnificent fairy with angelic eyes, which he called Fiona. Photos of the master's dolls can be seen on his page "VKontakte" and on our website.

According to him, it was not easy to make it. Through trial and error, he first made a face, then the trunk, hands, feet, feet and hands. And then he put all this together, painted it with acrylic paints and put it on.

The complexity of the work, says Nikolai Pavlov, was not only that at that difficult time it was almost impossible to get any materials, tools and accessories for decoration, but also in the absence of a good training video or printed publication. Therefore, the master had to comprehend the basics of puppet mastery himself. At the moment, Nicholas has a decade of experience working with polymer materials and for more than five years creating unusual fluffy creatures Teddy.

How it all began: the first doll of the artist

In the collection of Nicholas and today there is his first doll, which he periodically takes with him to the exhibition and just shows people. According to his stories, such a demonstration is not only an excellent advertisement, but also provides an opportunity to compare the level of his skill. "Looking at my first and recent work, I can see at once what in the puppet business I managed to achieve in more than 10 years," the author himself says.

Where can I see the work of the artist?

Many author's handmade dolls of Nicholas can be seen in private collections both in Russia and far beyond its borders. For example, the master's toys found their home in Italy, France, England, Japan, etc. The talented puppet master cooperates with many other masters, with whom he arranges solo exhibitions, creative evenings.

Nikolay also has his own page "VKontakte", where the photo and video materials of the master are presented. Here, all interested persons have the opportunity to order exclusive products of the artist at reasonable prices, as well as ask questions of interest in personal correspondence.

Sometimes Nikolai Pavlov (artist and puppet master) arranges a prize draw and presents his fans with toys.

What kind of work does the master do?

Among the products of Nicholas you can see pivot dolls, as well as fluffy zayek, bears, mice and other Teddy beasts. It is interesting that initially the master himself was far from delighted with the hinges themselves, used when combining the arms and legs of toys. According to him, the visible places of connections were embarrassing. But since it is the hinges that give the products mobility, in the future the author simply stopped to notice them and to accentuate this attention.

What kinds of techniques does the artist use?

Nikolai Pavlov is a puppeteer, an artist and a sculptor, since during his creative process he is forced to apply a variety of techniques used in various forms of applied art. For example, in his workshop there is always baked or self-hardening plastic. Most often he uses "prosmits" and "fimo".

In addition, the artist also has to be both a fashion designer and a seamstress in one person, because Nikolai makes clothes for his products himself. And each doll or animal Teddy picks up a certain image. For example, among the ready-made toys of the author you can meet blue-eyed angels with snow-white wings, thoughtful wizards with sad eyes and a sad smile, unusual fairies, elves, huge and kind giants, tiny gnomes and other fairy and mythical characters.

What is the special feature of Pavlov's toys?

Most of the master's work is not just beautiful toys. They are made with love and warmth in the heart. Therefore, they look so realistic and bright. They have bright and kind eyes, an expressive smile, details of the face and other parts of the body are detailed.

Great attention is paid to author's handmade dolls, made in retro style. This is an unusually positive and at the same time mysterious products in hats and cylinders, in lace and camisoles, dressed in velvet, satin and featuring accessories in muted pastel tones.

In addition, many creatures of the author turn their heads and other parts of the body. They can be put, suspended and put on a shelf. They have removable clothing and hair implanted in the same way as wax figures.

What tools and materials does the master use?

During the master classes and the creation of new works, Nikolai Pavlov (the dolls of this master were very famous abroad) uses a variety of materials and the following auxiliary tools:

• plastic;
• Styrene foam;
• wet wipes;
• Sandpaper;
• Slate pencils;
• Cardboard knife or cutter;
• PVA glue;
• Acrylic paints and primers;
• Flat, thin and wide brushes;
• Finishing varnishes for fastening;
• Tresses for making a wig;
• Special tools for modeling;
• Thread and needle;
• Various types of fabrics for making clothes;
• Fasteners for fixing the hinges;
• Rubber for assembly of parts, etc.

And, of course, first the future model needs to come up and draw. Therefore, Nikolai Pavlov first carefully thinks through the image, and then makes an easy sketch on paper and only after that creates.

What can you learn at the master classes of the artist?

During the master classes of a talented artist, you can learn basic basics of working with plastic. Everyone will be able to make puppets, bears and other Teddy beasts from scratch.

Participation in exhibitions and photo dolls

During his growing creative career, Nikolai managed to organize two solo exhibitions. The next year, the master plans to invite everyone to the third commemorative event for the artist - an anniversary exhibition, which will feature already loved toys, as well as completely new characters.

In addition, the artist does not miss the moment and always participates in various events timed to the holidays. For example, with his participation there was an exhibition of dolls called "The Breath of Spring".

At this fair were presented the works of the most diverse masters of Voronezh, specializing in felting, embroidery, knitting, decoupage and other kinds of arts and crafts.

And recently there was another Voronezh exhibition of dolls "Moon Dream", at which the designer and artist with great success demonstrated their unforgettable creations. During this event, Nikolai showed his dolls and soft toys made in his inimitable style, talked with journalists and gave valuable advice to novice puppet masters.

October 16, 2015, Nikolai - an artist and designer in one person - also took part in a popular project called "Doll House", where he conducted a series of exclusive master classes to create puppet headdresses. Everyone could learn a few secrets from the creativity of the puppeteer, ask questions, communicate with like-minded people on-line. At the end of the conference, all participants were given a certificate.

Future plans

As recognized by Nikolai Pavlov, he plans to open his own school of masters, where he will train and produce real masters of puppetry. At the present moment, Nicholas has so far only managed to implement part of the plan and engage in close training puppetry. However, we are not talking about opening our own school.