Kamianets-Podilskyi 2000

Yuriy Khymych made this oil on canvas painting, Kamianets-Podilskyi, with expressive brushstrokes and a warm, inviting colour palette. There’s an immediacy to the painting, like he was really in the moment, responding to the scene before him. Looking closely, you can see how Khymych builds up layers of paint, thick in some areas, thin in others. It's almost like he's sculpting with the paint, giving the buildings and landscape a tangible, tactile quality. The texture is really what draws you in, especially on the castle walls, where the brushwork is particularly visible. The way Khymych uses colour is also pretty special. He takes the local colours of the buildings and landscape and pushes them to the max. With the blues, oranges, and pinks, he makes a harmony that just vibrates with energy. You can feel the spirit of the place, like you're walking down those streets yourself. It reminds me of some of Milton Avery's landscapes, with that same balance of abstraction and emotional resonance. Both artists capture the feeling of a place rather than a literal representation.