"Portrait Of Roksolana Kanivets" 17x12 inches, Nitram Charcoal on paper

“Drawing and painting always allows me to see things from a new perspective and to experience their true nature more deeply. Inspired by the Impressionists’ loose brushwork, my technique blends abstraction and realism. I use brushes, palette knives, and drawing tools to invite viewers into the creative process. While I create landscapes & still lifes, portraits are my true passion. I hope each viewer sees a part of themselves in my work. For me, serving as an intermediary between the viewer and art is the greatest gift of all.

I was introduced to Nitram Charcoal through workshops by other professional artists that I had the opportunity to attend. It was truly a revelation. I really like Nitram Charcoal sticks, the ability to sharpen them to a very fine, needle-like point allows me to capture the finest details in my drawings. Additionally, the wide range of hardnesses—ranging from soft to hard—provides greater control over tone and shading.

~ Rostyslav Malysh

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My name is Rostyslav Malysh. My passion for art began in childhood, drawing cartoon characters from books and magazines. Growing up in Kolomyia, I studied academic drawing and painting with two masters Vasyl Andrushko and Myroslav Yasinskiy, learning composition, color theory and light. After high school, I briefly studied fashion design before transferring to the National University of Culture and Arts in Kyiv. Although I did not major in academic drawing and painting, I continued to improve my skills. In 2009, I moved to Chicago, where frequent visits to the Art Institute and exposure to Impressionists, especially John Singer Sargent, influenced me deeply. As a member of the "Palette and Chisel" club, I studied live model painting and discovered the work of Richard Schmid, whose technique greatly impacted me. In 2021, I returned to Kolomyia, whereI now live and work, focusing on still life, figure, portrait and landscape painting. Instagram.com/rostyslav.malysh.art