Scetch for Ostrovsky's "Wolves and Sheep" 1915

Boris Kustodiev made this sketch for Ostrovsky's "Wolves and Sheep" with watercolor, and the way he uses the medium feels so immediate. It’s like he’s thinking out loud with the brush. Look at how the color seeps into the paper, especially in the trees, those aren't just trees; they're worlds of green and brown all mingling together. He’s not trying to hide the process; it’s all right there, on the surface. The brushstrokes are so loose, like he’s capturing a fleeting moment rather than trying to nail down every single detail. That little bench where the characters sit? It’s almost dissolving into the background, but that splash of green feels so alive. It's like he’s saying, "Here’s a feeling, a mood," rather than just a picture. Kustodiev reminds me a bit of Bonnard, who also had this knack for capturing the intimate, everyday moments, making them feel timeless. It’s not about perfection; it’s about the messy, beautiful process of seeing and feeling.