While testing a new fountain pen nib, I was looking for a subject to sketch that had lots of lines and opportunities for some watercolor washes to test not only the pen nib, but the waterproof qualities of the ink. Ukraine’s wooden churches proved to be a suitable project given the interest in Ukraine and the hope that the destruction would soon end.
While looking for the churches in this sketch, I learned that there are nearly 1,900 wooden churches identified in Ukraine. These churches are a unique form of vernacular culture with many architectural styles that vary from simple to very complicated. Many of them date from the earliest days of Christianity and required a high-level carpentry skill and artistry. The wooden churches are mostly in remote rural areas while the larger urban churches are built of masonry in urban locations. Locating, identifying, and preserving these marvelous structures appears to be a passion for many individuals in Ukraine. Several of the churches are listed with the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Besides the threat of fire and water infiltration, these buildings are at risk of deliberate demolishing because of inter-denominational controversies and poor preservation techniques.
My introduction to these buildings has been entirely online through the following pages:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_churches_in_Ukraine
https://ukrainetrek.com/blog/category/architecture/
https://churches.authenticukraine.com.ua/en/
There are many other websites devoted to Ukraine’s Wooden Churches, but most of them are not in English. A quick search on Amazon for publications on this topic shows a few Ukrainian books and pamphlets, but none seem to be available. In the meantime, there are many online images to explore and sketch as a prelude to a possible visit to Ukraine after the current craziness is over and it is safe to travel there.
And I do love my new Lamy 14K gold two-toned fine nib in my old Lamy Safari fountain pen. I’m also experimenting with Sailor Kiwaguro Pigmented Black Ink. The gold nib is reliable, smooth and has just the right flexibility for a variety of sketch lines. Both the nib and a sampler package of ink are from The Goulet Pen Company which is a great source of pens, supplies and videos: https://www.gouletpens.com
While looking for the churches in this sketch, I learned that there are nearly 1,900 wooden churches identified in Ukraine. These churches are a unique form of vernacular culture with many architectural styles that vary from simple to very complicated. Many of them date from the earliest days of Christianity and required a high-level carpentry skill and artistry. The wooden churches are mostly in remote rural areas while the larger urban churches are built of masonry in urban locations. Locating, identifying, and preserving these marvelous structures appears to be a passion for many individuals in Ukraine. Several of the churches are listed with the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Besides the threat of fire and water infiltration, these buildings are at risk of deliberate demolishing because of inter-denominational controversies and poor preservation techniques.
My introduction to these buildings has been entirely online through the following pages:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_churches_in_Ukraine
https://ukrainetrek.com/blog/category/architecture/
https://churches.authenticukraine.com.ua/en/
There are many other websites devoted to Ukraine’s Wooden Churches, but most of them are not in English. A quick search on Amazon for publications on this topic shows a few Ukrainian books and pamphlets, but none seem to be available. In the meantime, there are many online images to explore and sketch as a prelude to a possible visit to Ukraine after the current craziness is over and it is safe to travel there.
And I do love my new Lamy 14K gold two-toned fine nib in my old Lamy Safari fountain pen. I’m also experimenting with Sailor Kiwaguro Pigmented Black Ink. The gold nib is reliable, smooth and has just the right flexibility for a variety of sketch lines. Both the nib and a sampler package of ink are from The Goulet Pen Company which is a great source of pens, supplies and videos: https://www.gouletpens.com
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