The world of homemade products - do-it-yourself wooden matryoshka doll. Making nesting dolls

In the village of Polkhovsky Maidan, Nizhny Novgorod region, little has changed over hundreds of years. The same wooden houses with tiles. The same broken roads. The same linden forest. The same business. For four centuries in a row, the most recognizable souvenir of Russia - the nesting doll - has been born in the local workshops.

The village peasants adopted the turning trade from the monks of the Sarov Monastery. At the beginning of the 20th century, wooden crafts began to be burned, and a little later - painted. It was then that the characteristic Maidan ornament and landscape compositional plot took shape.

Previously, there was a whole production called “Red Dawn”, where the entire village sharpened and painted nesting dolls. They even went from house to house and checked to see if anyone was sharpening their houses. But with collapse Soviet Union the factory was gone. The entire village now grinds at home. Today, the fishing tradition is continued by private entrepreneurs. The secrets of turning and the unique Polkhov-Maidan painting are passed down from father to son, from mother to daughter.

People live here simply. They work honestly. They harvest timber, which is then used to make wooden utensils and toys. The raw materials are taken from the forest. Those who don’t want to go to the forest buy wood, ordering a full car of ZIL (in winter the cost is 17,000 rubles), and in summer - 20,000. Residents say: “They’ll throw snags over half a car, you’ll figure it out yourself later. There is a forest 12 km from the village. There you buy a permit from a forester, and he shows you where you can cut and where you can’t. There are also people who chop without documents, but if they are caught, they will issue a fine of 100,000 rubles.”

The turning workshop is like a second home for the male half. Here they spend 10–12 hours a day. Otherwise, you won’t be able to make money from handicrafts.

Only at first glance they are twin sisters. In fact, no two are alike. Handmade.

The process of making nesting dolls begins with the selection of wood. Of the many types of trees, linden is chosen because it is very soft and easy to work with. Best time for procurement of material – early spring. The tree needs to dry to take its shape, after which the linden is sawn.

The lower part of the nesting doll is turned from dry wood that has dried for several years. The upper part is made of damp material, since later the wood dries out, and therefore the nesting doll closes tightly. First, they sharpen the smallest one-piece single piece. Then proceed to the second, consisting of two parts.

From the inside, all the wood is removed so that the smaller doll fits snugly inside. Then the process is repeated for the doll bigger size etc. Afterwards, the women paint the nesting doll with oil paints. Cover with varnish.

– Previously, fashion was in Moscow, you sharpen odnerkas, zuvyndochkas, in our opinion, (odnerka is the smallest nesting doll, its size is 15 mm.). The thieves liked to hang it on their pants... and everywhere. Fashion used to be like this. It was worth one ruble. It was possible to get a hangover from him.

Previously, Maidan wooden products were sold only in neighboring villages. After lathes became electric, matryoshka dolls were seen in distant cities of Russia and other countries. From the fairgrounds of Nizhny Novgorod and Moscow, round-sided beauties travel all over the world. They are packed in ordinary bales, Chinese bags, and dragged off-road.

In both rain and snow, they have to languish on the counter. Before anyone chooses a nesting doll from hundreds of competitors. There is little creativity in the nesting doll trade. This is business. In souvenir shops in Moscow and St. Petersburg, five-piece nesting dolls cost from 250 to 7,000 rubles.

In addition to the traditional dolls, there are also nesting dolls with portraits of heroes from fairy tales, as well as Easter eggs, whistles, Christmas trees, cockerels, clubs. The fashion for wooden products is changing. Demand creates supply.

One day Papa Carlo made a plan little boy Pinocchio. Everything was different with us. Maidan residents carved and painted a hard-working girl, smart and beautiful. She gave work to an entire village and became a symbol of all of Russia.

Chubby and ruddy nesting dolls are now considered a symbol of Russian culture. Many people believe matryoshka a primordially Russian “invention”, although in fact for this beauty we should say “thank you”... to the Japanese. Amazing, right? But the prototype nesting dolls was brought precisely from Japan. And it consisted of several figures of a funny old man named Fukuruma, which were inserted into one another. And appeared matryoshka not in ancient times, but in late XIX century. But none of this stopped me matryoshka become a people's favorite and a traditional Russian souvenir.

In front of you step-by-step master class by painting a matryoshka doll. I’ll say right away that there are two types of nesting dolls: traditional (painted according to the canons) and author’s (here everything depends on the master’s flight of fancy). Traditional ones include Semyonovskaya matryoshka, Maidan, Vyatka, Tver and Sergievskaya. The name of the nesting doll is determined by the place of its birth. And every one like that matryoshka have their own features of the painting.

When I painted mine matryoshka, I adhered to some painting rules, but still call this traditional matryoshka You can’t, it’s 100% original.


So let's get started.

For matryoshka paintings we will need:

  • Wooden matryoshka blank(it can be purchased at craft stores. In Lately This kind of store has become very popular, so I think that there will be no problem with the purchase of blanks.)
  • Acrylic primer. If you don’t have primer, you can dilute PVA glue with water and use the resulting mixture as a primer.
  • Paints for painting. I used watercolor and acrylic (pearl) paints. I’ll say right away: it’s difficult to paint a matryoshka doll with watercolors, because watercolor dries quickly and ugly stains may remain. You can use gouache instead of watercolor.
  • Paint brushes and for varnishing.
  • Toothpicks. They are very convenient to draw small parts and dots.
  • Varnish. It is better to use parquet varnish, PF-283, PF-157 (very shiny, but takes a long time to dry). Do not use acrylic varnish under any circumstances! Firstly, paint drips from it, all the work will be in vain. Secondly, it does not shine at all, the surface will be matte.
  • Eraser and pencil.
  • A rag.

  • As already written above, we will need blanks for nesting dolls. If the workpieces are not very smooth, untreated, then you can go over them with fine sandpaper.


    Cover the workpiece with soil. Many craftsmen say that the face of the nesting doll is not primed so that the texture of the wood is visible. I primed the entire piece. The varnish makes the wood darker, but I wanted my matryoshka to be white-faced :) We dilute the soil with water in a ratio of approximately 1:2.


    While the workpiece dries, we begin to develop a sketch. The more detailed you draw a sketch at this stage, the easier it will be for you to work in the future.


    In order for the matryoshka to be symmetrical, draw a vertical line on the workpiece from the top of the head to the toes.


    We transfer the sketch to a wooden blank. It is important to place the matryoshka’s face correctly: the chin should be slightly higher than the neck (the narrowing of the workpiece).


    Let's move on to the color scheme of the nesting doll. Let's start with the scarf. To make the scarf with sparkles, mix golden watercolor (marked with a tick in the picture) and golden acrylic paint, diluting them with water.


    We cover the scarf in two layers: from the edges of the scarf to the top of the nesting doll. It is better to use soft brushes for painting large surfaces (scarf, sundress). I had an old Pony brush that I usually use for glue or varnish. It fit very well and there were fewer divorces.


    We paint the sleeves with pearlescent white acrylic paint.


    Use blue watercolor to add volume to the sleeves. First, mark the boundaries with a darker color, then add water and lightly blur the paint.


    We cover the matryoshka sundress with purple-pink paint. Again it is better to use a soft brush. Then we start painting the basket. We cover the background with natural sienna and paint the weaving with a darker paint.


    Draw the berries. It is better to use a toothpick for this purpose. Lightly fluff one end and the toothpick will become a thin, stiff brush.


    We decorate the basket with golden acrylic paint:


    We continue to work on the contents of the basket: we outline the outline of the berries with pink pearlescent paint, and add dots with golden paint.


    Using the dot technique, we decorate the matryoshka sundress. Dip a toothpick into acrylic paint (bronze) and place dots along the outline.


    Let's proceed to the most important stage - face painting. First of all, cover the entire area of ​​the face with yellow ocher, very diluted water. After the paint has dried, set the tone of the hair.


    We work on the hair: light paint draw highlights, outline the outline with dark. You can do a few strokes of gold acrylic paint to add shine.



    Then we draw pupils, eyelashes and eyebrows with black paint. Add highlights to the eyes with white paint.


    We decorate the kokoshnik and earrings using the dot technique.


    Decorating the sundress:

    We also decorate the bottom using dotted technique:


    All that remains is to varnish, and our Russian beauty is ready!


    As always, I wish you great, great success in your creativity! Jeiana Johanssen

    Matryoshka is a native Russian toy depicting a rosy-cheeked girl. It is usually made of wood. This doll is unusual in that it contains the same nesting dolls, but one is smaller than the other. They are usually dressed in red sundresses and scarves.

    Popularity of the Russian nesting doll

    Matryoshka is a traditional souvenir of our country. Many believe that it brings happiness, wealth to the home and fertility to the family. In this regard, every tourist purchases it before departure.

    But you don’t have to buy such a toy; you can make it with your own hands from available materials.

    Initially, the nesting doll was carved only from wood and painted. bright colors. Currently, it can be made from any available material. This requires desire, patience and time. This craft will not leave either a child or an adult indifferent. And the manufacturing process itself will bring a lot of positive emotions.

    How to sew a matryoshka doll from fabric

    If you know how to sew, you can easily make such a doll. To make it you will need:

    Manufacturing stages.

    Using the same principle, you can make a felt toy.

    Making crafts from cardboard

    You can make this craft together with your child.. To make it you will need:

    Manufacturing stages:

    Now you can admire your creation together with your child.

    Modeling toys from plasticine

    Even he can fashion such a matryoshka doll Small child. For this you will need soft plasticine. different colors and a little patience.

    A painted wooden doll, inside of which there are similar smaller dolls, is a traditional Russian toy, the interest in which has recently increased. – this business is not for everyone. It's more suitable creative individuals. You will learn how nesting dolls are made and what equipment is needed in this article.

    Depending on your skills, you can choose one of several areas of production that is right for you. Traditionally, a matryoshka is a set of brightly painted wooden dolls of 3 or more pieces. They consist of 2 parts, shaped like an egg with a flat bottom. The design on the matryoshka depicts a doll in a sundress and a scarf.

    Modern production makes souvenirs of this kind more original, even individual. Traditional painting of nesting dolls is more suitable for sales to foreign tourists. The domestic buyer will be more interested in a unique image, for example, you can draw celebrities, portraits of relatives, friends, reproductions famous paintings– all this applies to the original production of nesting dolls.

    Basic production processes


    Matryoshka dolls are made only from wood. For these purposes, preference is given to soft breeds. Use:

    • larch;
    • linden;
    • aspen;
    • alder;
    • birch.

    Manufacturing stages:

    1. Wood preparation.

    It is better to use a tree cut down in early spring; to avoid cracks, the bark is not completely removed. The logs are then stacked in a ventilated area to dry. The logs take 2-3 years to dry; at the start of processing, the wood should not be dry, but not wet either. Next comes grinding on machines, as well as sawing into blanks.

    1. Turning the smallest shape.

    The material is chosen without cracks and knots. The first figure is made non-demountable.

    1. Making all sizes of dolls.

    The stage begins after the smallest figure is ready. The next one after it is made a little more, but so that the previous one is included in it. The workpiece is cut into two parts: upper and lower. The wood is removed from them so that space is created inside for a smaller doll. The parts fit tightly together. This is done with every new size of matryoshka.

    1. Preparing for painting.

    Before painting, the figures are sanded and then primed with potato paste. After drying, the future matryoshka is ready for painting.

    Turning and milling equipment


    Matryoshka dolls and a lathe are inseparable things, especially if your work is the basis of your business. Some craftsmen prefer to work the old fashioned way, but this is painstaking, long work. Similar equipment is used as in other workshops. We have already looked at what equipment is needed:

    For business, it is better to buy a machine for nesting dolls, namely a turning and milling machine. Special equipment will save time and will be useful to you in a number of other woodworking jobs.

    Pay attention to the “Galaxy” wood turning and milling machine (Czech Republic) - this is equipment designed for complex milling work with wooden blanks.

    This equipment is suitable for the production of:

    • table legs;
    • balusters;
    • artistic pillars.

    Also suitable for MDF, plastic and other materials. Some equipment models have a numerical control (CNC) function. This gives high precision in the execution of work, which improves the result in the manufacture of complex objects. Ideal for mass production.

    TFS-1550 machine– equipment for profiling and turning of objects. Combines hand router milling with a rotating disk-type tool. A template is used, so you can work with this equipment without special training.

    – turning and milling equipment for wood. Purpose of the equipment:

    • productive processing;
    • high performance;
    • ease of programming;
    • quick adjustment for different workpieces;
    • production of various products.
    OptionsTFS-1550SH 1800 CNC-S
    power, kWt3 5.9
    Overall dimensions, mm2,300 x 950 x 1,3503,500 x 1,820 x 1,900
    L of workpiece, mm100 - 1 550 1 800
    Workpiece D, mm20 - 250 540
    Rotation speed, rpm4 500 - 7 000 up to 3,750
    Weight, kg450 1650
    Cost, rub.275 000 5 822 000

    Video: how nesting dolls are made

    What do you need for painting?

    Before applying the design, the figure is varnished and polished.

    You can apply the drawing with ordinary paints. In this matter, you don’t need to look for something strictly targeted or expensive. Just choose between the following types of paints:

    • gouache (the most favorite paint among masters);
    • tempera;
    • oil paints;
    • watercolor;
    • acrylic.


    Stages of painting:

    1. Sanding the workpiece: paint must be applied only to a smooth surface;
    2. Applying glue– the process serves as the basis for the future application of gold leaf (imitation gilding);
    3. Application of gold leaf: This material gives the product a golden shine; this process gives the figure uniqueness, sophistication, and the effect of high cost;
    4. Applying the background: design always begins with the background, this stage goes quickly and does not require much effort;
    5. Working on the details: smaller details reveal a unique painting, the individuality of each souvenir, the character of the doll; it is this stage that will make your products recognizable;
    6. Drawing a stroke: small details are outlined to make the drawing more vivid;
    7. Varnishing a souvenir: final stage, when applied to a finished object protective layer varnish (from dust, moisture), thanks to which the product acquires shine.

    Drawing is a very delicate matter, it all depends on experience and talent, but special equipment is not needed to paint nesting dolls.

    You can take traditional painting styles as a basis:

    • Zagorsk - a picturesque style in which there is an abundance of small details, gilding, and no more than 4 colors are used;
    • Semyonovsky - bright style, simple image;
    • gelding;
    • Polkhovsky - elongated shape with a clear design of the head;
    • Vyatsky: with straw inlay;
    • Sergievsky - a bold combination of colors, a sundress, apron, shawl is required;
    • peasant;
    • boyarsky

    Matryoshka painting

    In contact with

    It seems that everyone knows the nesting doll. In all countries, all over the world. This is probably very close to the truth. Indeed, these brightly painted wooden dolls are not only very beautiful. They are interesting.

    Both children and adults like to open a nesting doll and find the next one there. Then again and again... And there is a feeling of “secret”, but everything seems so simple!

    A little history

    Russian wooden painted dolls appeared in Russia in the 90s of the 19th century. At that time, special attention was paid to the restoration and development of the traditions of folk peasant toys. For this purpose, the “Children’s Education” workshop was opened in Moscow.

    It was in the depths of this workshop that the idea of ​​​​creating a Russian wooden doll was born, sketches for which were proposed professional artist Sergei Malyutin (1859-1937).

    Zvezdochkin, CC BY-SA 3.0

    His nesting doll was a round-faced peasant girl in an embroidered shirt, sundress and apron, in a colorful scarf, holding a black rooster in her hands.

    Subsequently, the name Matryoshka became a household name and began to mean a turning, detachable, colorfully painted wooden product. To this day, the nesting doll remains a symbol of motherhood and fertility.


    Matryoshka dolls in Malyutinskaya style Russian Handicrafts Guide, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The first Russian nesting doll, carved according to the sketches of S.V. Malyutin by the best toy maker from Sergiev Posad, V. Zvezdochkin, was eight-seater. The girl with the black rooster was followed by a boy, then again by a girl. All the figures were different from each other, and the last, eighth, depicted a swaddled baby

    Making nesting dolls

    First they select suitable look wood Because of its softness, linden is mostly chosen, less often alder or birch. Trees are usually cut down in early spring, the bark is removed, but not completely, so that the wood does not crack during drying. The logs are then stored and dried for several years in a well-ventilated area.

    It is necessary to start processing wood when it is not dry, but not damp either. Each workpiece goes through more than a dozen operations. The smallest doll - one that cannot be disassembled - is made first.


    Bogomolov.PL , CC BY-SA 3.0

    When the nesting doll is ready, proceed to the next figurine, which will include the first one. The workpiece of the required height is processed and cut into upper and lower parts. The process is repeated for a larger doll, which will include the previous two, and so on. The number of dolls may vary.

    After making the blank, the artist continues the work. Drawings can be very diverse. The further the craft develops, the more imagination the masters show. Modern nesting dolls are sometimes very different from the first ones, “Malyutin’s”.


    Tamaki Sono, CC BY 2.0

    The paints used are watercolor, gouache, tempera, and less often oil paints. Despite the variety of colors, masters still prefer gouache.

    At the end of the work, the nesting dolls can be varnished, but there are also matte, unvarnished nesting dolls. There are also carved and burnt ones.

    Photo gallery








    Matryoshka is still “young”

    There is an opinion that the nesting doll is an “ancient Russian doll.” This is not true at all!

    The matryoshka appeared only in the 19th century. Then, 100 years ago, there was a period of rapid economic and cultural development, the rise of national self-awareness and interest in Russian culture.

    In 1900, the Russian nesting doll was exhibited at the World Exhibition in Paris, where it received global recognition. Seeing the great popularity of the Russian wooden doll, foreign entrepreneurs began to produce matryoshka dolls in the Russian style.

    But, deprived of national soil, they did not take root either in Germany or in France. Thanks to the popularity of the Sergiev Posad matryoshka doll, new centers for its production and painting began to emerge in Russia.

    Prototype of matryoshka

    The idea of ​​​​creating a detachable wooden doll was suggested to S.V. Malyutin Japanese toy, brought from the island of Honshu by the wife of S.I. Mamontov. It was a figure of a good-natured bald old man, the sage Fukurama, in which there were several more figures nested one inside the other.

    Why "matryoshka"

    The Russian wooden doll was called matryoshka. This was not done by chance. In the pre-revolutionary province, the names Matryona and Matryosha were considered one of the most common female names, based on the word “mother”. These names were associated with the mother of a large family, who had good health and a portly figure.

    Mastering technology

    Matryoshka manufacturing technology Russian masters, who knew how to turn wooden objects that fit into each other (for example, Easter eggs), mastered it with ease. The principle of making a nesting doll remains unchanged to this day, preserving all the techniques of turning art of Russian craftsmen.

    Matryoshka museums

    There are matryoshka museums in several cities: in Moscow - in Leontyevsky Lane, in Nizhny Novgorod, in Nolinsk, Kalyazin, Voznesensky and Sergiev Posad. The main centers for the production of nesting dolls are also located in these cities.

    Classic matryoshka

    Nowadays, many believe that the true, classic image of the nesting doll is “Semyonovskaya”, in a yellow scarf and with bright roses on the apron. This happened due to the fact that Soviet time not much attention was paid to the culture of craftsmanship. There were many other problems that needed to be solved. Therefore, only a few areas of Russian crafts developed. Among them is Semenovskaya Khokhloma. The generation that grew up at that time considers the Semyonovskaya matryoshka “theirs.” But the classic is the Sergiev Posad matryoshka doll, with a chicken in its hands. The same as it was created by Malyutin.