view of Budva (2024) Painting by Ilia Glebov

The painting is a canvas made in acrylic technique with an emphasis on loose brushstrokes and rich colours. The composition is built around a seascape, where the central place is occupied by the water surface, which occupies the lower half of the work. The blue palette of the water varies from deep shades in the center to lighter, almost turquoise tones near the horizon, which creates a sense of depth and movement. Brushstrokes, applied with wide and confident movements of the brush, convey slight ripples on the surface, adding dynamism and realism.

Against the background of the water rises a coastal landscape, including a rocky outcrop and a group of buildings with red roofs, typical of Mediterranean architecture. This is the city of Budva in Montenegro. White towers or bell towers indicate the presence of churches and historical buildings, which adds a cultural and narrative layer to the work. These elements contrast with the blue and green tones of the background, creating a visual emphasis and balance. The green and brown spots scattered across the hill suggest vegetation, although their abstract treatment leaves room for interpretation.

The horizontal line of mountains in the background, executed in soft transitions from blue to green, enhances the feeling of spaciousness and tranquility. The artist uses gradient transitions and slight blurring, which is typical of the impressionist approach, where the emphasis is not on details, but on conveying the atmosphere and emotions. White splashes of paint, especially noticeable on the rock and water, can symbolize the foam of the waves or glare of the sun, adding liveliness and freshness to the picture.

The color scheme of the work - the predominance of cold tones with rare warm accents (red roofs, green spots) - creates a feeling of coolness and calm, which perfectly matches the theme of the seascape. The composition is balanced, although some elements, such as the white stripe on the rock, can be interpreted as random or insufficiently worked out, which adds expressiveness and spontaneity to the picture.

Overall, the work gives the impression of an emotional and atmospheric piece that seeks to convey a mood rather than strictly document reality. It is a successful example of impressionist technique, where color and light play a key role, and details are left to the viewer's imagination.

Related themes

MontenegroLandscapeSea