Artist Spotlight: Anya Kryzhko

15/6/2025

Meet Anya Kryzhko, one of the competition winners in DARA's Academic Portrait Painting class. In addition to her remarkable skill as a landscape painter, Anya shows a strong talent for portraiture!

This year, a new initiative began in our Trimester Programme to reward excellence in the portrait drawing and painting classes with Mischa Tranquilli.

Throughout the duration of the two-year painting programme, students gradually progress from painting in a traditional limited palette to the use of a full color palette. In each module of the course, students also alternate between short "poster studies," focusing on experimentation in color mixing and composition, to executing refined paintings in multiple layers with poses of up to thirty-three hours.

Anya Kryzhko was recognized as the winner of the short-pose portrait painting group during the 2025 Winter Trimester, in which she focused on painting a variety of small studies over one to two sessions, experimenting with different compositions and color schemes using a limited palette.

A sampling of Anya's color studies of models Maria and Jordi which she completed over the trimester.

Get to know Anya:

Could you tell us a little about yourself, and how your interest in fine art began?

ANYA: My name is Anya Kryzhko, and I am originally from Ukraine. Painting and drawing have been a part of me for as long as I can remember. I have always been naturally drawn to traditional painting styles.

One of my earliest inspirations came from the works of the great landscape painter Ivan Shishkin—his art left a deep impression on me as a child and continues to serve as a reference for what I strive to achieve as an artist.

Anya working on a landscape painting.

Later, after moving to France, I fell in love with Impressionist paintings, especially their masterful use of color. Now, living in the Netherlands, I have discovered the incredible skill of the Dutch Masters in portraiture. Their ability to achieve such depth and realism centuries ago fascinates me. The way they create the illusion of three-dimensionality and bring their subjects to life is something that continues to inspire my own artistic journey.

One of Anya's first portraits in the painting class: a study of Amir en grisaille.

What is it about portraiture specifically that most interests you?

ANYA: Portraiture was an unexplored field for me until I started taking courses at DARA this year. My main motivation was to learn the academic approach to portrait painting and understand the techniques perfected by the great masters.

I find portrait painting particularly challenging because it requires balancing multiple skills: achieving an accurate likeness, understanding human anatomy, mastering skin tone color mixing, and managing time efficiently while working with a live model.

What I truly appreciate about DARA is their structured learning method, which helps us build a strong foundation step by step. We begin with grisaille portraits to focus on values, then progress to a limited palette to master color mixing, and finally, we move on to full-color portraits.

Beyond technique, portrait painting is deeply meaningful to me because it allows me to truly see a person. For me, the true measure of success in a portrait is whether I have managed to capture not just the physical resemblance, but also the personality and essence of the model. That is my ultimate goal.

Which of the paintings you created this trimester was your favorite, and why?

ANYA: This trimester, I worked with a limited palette, creating color studies of a live model. It was fascinating to paint the same person from different angles, which helped me realize how subtle details—like a slight tilt of the head or a shift in expression—can significantly influence the character and mood of a portrait.

One of my favorite paintings was a portrait of our first model, Jordi. I had never painted dark skin before, and it was both challenging and exciting to explore the warm and cool undertones needed to create depth and realism. Working with a limited palette also taught me how much variety you can achieve with just four pigments.

Among all my works, I believe my most successful piece was Jordi’s profile portrait, where I was able to create strong contrast between warm and cool tones. I was incredibly honored that my work was recognized by the instructors and awarded a prize—it’s a meaningful acknowledgment of my progress as a painter.

Anya's study of Jordi in profile

I would like to express my special thanks to our instructor, Mischa Tranquilli, who has a unique talent for sharing knowledge and adapting to each student’s individual needs. I also want to highlight the wonderful working environment at DARA—the well-equipped studio, the supportive instructors, and the inspiring community of fellow artists all make this learning experience truly special.

Thank you very much for your kind words, Anya! Outside of DARA, can you tell us a little about your personal work and what motivates you as a painter?

ANYA: Although I enjoy painting a variety of subjects, I am particularly drawn to landscapes and the beauty of nature. I primarily work with oils and watercolors—each medium allows me to express myself in different ways. Oil paints provide precision and depth, while watercolors offer a sense of freedom and spontaneity.

I would describe my style as emotional realism—I don’t just aim to depict a scene, but to evoke a feeling in the viewer, much like music can stir emotions. In one of my recent painting series, I explored the same location in Ukraine across different seasons, times of day, and perspectives, capturing its ever-changing beauty. What I find truly rewarding is seeing how viewers connect with my work, often linking it to their own personal memories and experiences.

Where can people find more of your work?

ANYA: You can explore my paintings on my Instagram page @anya.kryzhko and my website - https://www.kryzhko.com/. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on my latest works!