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:
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.
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.
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! A showcase of some of Anya's personal landscape paintings. Both Anya's landscapes and portraits will also be prominently featured at DARA's upcoming exhibition from 27 to 29 June!
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June 2025
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DUTCH ATELIER OF REALIST ART |