Balalaika - Russian Circus
Recently, I landed another fun commission gig as an illustrator! I was asked to create one of my illustrations on a supplied balalaika with a Russian theme in mind. The illustration needed to include President Vladimir Putin, the infamous charlatan Grigori Rasputin, and a few other funny characters.
Final painted and illustrated front view of the balalaika.
I began by doing some research on Russian culture, architecture, and topless photographs of Vladimir Putin riding horses. From my research I began settling on some themes and sketching ideas, and characters.
The balalaika was an interesting canvas to draw on because it has so many different faces and sections. I decided to put together a feature illustration for the main front body, the main back body, and the base. I decided to include small line drawings, similar to tattoos along the neck.
The balalaika was an interesting canvas to draw on because it has so many different faces and sections. I decided to put together a feature illustration for the main front body, the main back body, and the base. I decided to include small line drawings, similar to tattoos along the neck.
Some initial rough sketches.
A scanned copy of the full scale illustration for the front of the balalaika.
A scanned copy of the full scale illustration for the back view. This is an early stage concept; some changes were made to include Grigori Rasputin as a central character.
From my sketches I decided that the front was going to include some iconic Russia. Things such as Putin, The Kremlin, the old Russian circuses with animals and sexy Russian women with Vodka.
For the back of the instrument I wanted to focus on a circus theme with many characters getting carried away and fighting, a little under the influence of Rasputin's magic, and a lot of vodka.
For the back of the instrument I wanted to focus on a circus theme with many characters getting carried away and fighting, a little under the influence of Rasputin's magic, and a lot of vodka.
For the bottom of the instrument I felt compelled to include something to do with the space race between Russia and America.
I then transferred my sketches onto the front and back of the instrument in pencil. I used these lines as guides for painting with acrylic markers.
I then transferred my sketches onto the front and back of the instrument in pencil. I used these lines as guides for painting with acrylic markers.
A comparison of the original supplied balalaika and the finished piece.
The complete front view.
The complete back view.
A closer view of the back.
The complete bottom view.
Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoy it!
It was so much fun drawing these characters and painting the instrument.
It was so much fun drawing these characters and painting the instrument.