World-acclaimed doll artist Galina Dmitruk gave a three-day master class at ILS, teaching our students how to create striking, unusual dolls with special materials.

Galina Dmitruk is a Belarus native who has travelled around the world with her creations, some of which have found their way into the collections of the families of world leaders.

“Creating dolls is painstaking work,” Galina explains. “Every step is important technologically, but there must also be a creative flight, as during the process you come to understand what the composition and color scheme will be.”

During the three-day master class, each student created her own “little princess” from scratch: they learned how to work with the material and how to shape each part of the doll, polishing and painting, and also how to make costumes for their creations, with each doll unlike any other.

“Every one of us is filled with huge creative potential,” says Galina. “You’ll never find out what yours is unless you try new things. I always tell my students: Don’t be afraid to create! Don’t listen to those who try to talk you out of something and believe in your own strength. If it doesn’t work the first time, by the fifth time it will!”

Participating alongside the students at the master class was ILS ceramics teacher Lyubov Shatova. The two masters exchanged experience and discussed ways of working with various materials and techniques, with Lyubov also creating a doll of her own.  

“We are pleased that Galina Dmitruk shared her creative mastery with our students,” notes ILS Principal Olga Shevchenko. “While the process may seem uncomplicated at first glance, it is in fact highly multifaceted, requiring a strong knowledge of anatomy, as well as artistic skills and a designer’s eye. Her visit was a wonderful opportunity to gain experience and knowledge from a renowned master.”