Leonid Afremov

With vivid colors and expressive brushstrokes, Leonid Afremov would have to one of my favorite oil painters. I first looked at his paintings when I was in middle school and from then on, I would try and paint in his style. Let me tell you! It isn't easy. Most of his paintings bring a warm essence to me. I try to imagine what it would be like to be in in one his paintings. Walking down a rainy street in Autumn holding an umbrella with the street lights illuminating my way. I try to recreate this feeling here on the streets but always fail. There's something about the colors and the way he uses the paint that makes the painting so irresistible that you just want to be there. He uses a palette knife to paint the majority of his paintings, which is an amazing skill to acquire for any painter, especially if you mostly paint in oil. He uses the palette knife technique to paint the leaves of the trees as well as using the side of the palette knife to make lines either on the trees or the people in his painting. Overall, all his pieces were able to catch my eye and wanted me to learn how I can use his techniques in my own paintings. Definitely urge you guys to check out his paintings here!

-Suman