'Diary of a swallow' is published in Italy! By publisher Caissa Italia, translated by Tatiana Pepe.

Davide Cali, writer for many wonderful books translated for 20+ languages, asked us with Pavel Kvartalnnov, the author of the 'Diary of a swallow' about the book, our first meeting and about the nowadays life as a russian citizens. I am grateful for the opportunity to be heard. 

Read in Italian or use google translate here: 

https://www.frizzifrizzi.it/2022/03/30/diario-di-una-rondine-intervista-doppia-a-olga-ptashnik-e-pavel-kvartalnov/

On the photo Tatiana Pepe with a book at the Bologna Childrenbook Fair 2022

the book in Italian here: https://www.caissa.it/378-diario-di-una-rondine-9788867291335.html

Hi everyone, it is Eraserexpertise vol 11.

I found these Playcolor art gouache solid paints at kids section in artstore. Something new and unusual, let's check!

Meet Lena - a ceramist, maker and Spanish speaker.

Lena's ceramics is bright and seems to be minimalistic, but I was really surprised to realize all the layers of personal thoughts behind. Combining gentle flowers, simple shapes and aunt's jokes in an old family house, Lena going really fast from yesterday student to professional artist.

Lena believes she is a lucky person and it is important to be lucky in ceramics because of all the factors of technology.

He everyone, it is a second part of series of posts about Comic continent residency for illustrators in Germany.

You can read the first part here: http://olgaptashnik.com/blog/comic-continent-1.

Though everyone was overwhelmed with a lot of work to do, we were excited about Berlin day. As you remember (may be) the residency itself was located in small town on the border with Poland. So there was a special day at the residency when we were visiting some important places for illustrators in Berlin:

1. Jaja publishing house

2. Modulor shop

3. City library visit with Sarah Wildeisen 

5. International Children's bookstore in Berlin

Also I will include review of another art store in Berlin called Boesner.

Hi everyone, it is Eraserexpertise vol 10.

This time I compare precise mechanical erasers from Tombow and Factis.

Hello everyone.

I didn't post for a long time, but it was worth waiting for this text: I will tell about residency for illustrators in Germany!

So make yourself comfortable, it will take at least four posts to try to describe great atmosphere and results.

1. General information

2. Berlin day

3. Exhibition day

4. My work

5. Surprise post

Meet Nastya Smirnova - illustrator, art challenger and morning runner.

Nastya is the second person to let me into her wonderful house to talk about illustration, life and all around. Thanks, Nastya, for being so generous on your experience!

Nastya’s work is full of light, it is bright and gentle. Everyday sketches or book illustration - full of life, motion and color. Nastya says that her nickname is krasiver and when translated into Russian it means a person who creates beauty. I totally agree.

Hi everyone, it is Eraserexpertise vol 7.

Have you ever used masking fluids?

They are claimed to be useful in watercolors and gouache, even inks.

One can use fluid as masking material: apply fluid as paint on the surface you want to mask. It can be clean paper or already painted piece one wants to stay as it is. So artist can add layers. 

Let's try!

Hi everyone, it is Eraserexpertise vol 6.

Derwent Inktense. Seems to be another set of watercolor pencils. 

What are they for? What is the difference?

Let's see!

Once I changed career of blood-researcher to illustrator, there were some life-changing differences. For example, no one seemed to be in sports anymore. When you are a physicist, you are told to do sports not to go insane. I wonder does anyone tell this to illustrators.