Russian doll or Matryoshka

First, an appropriate type of wood is chosen. Due to its flexibility, lime is generally chosen, often less than alder or birch. Trees are usually cut in early spring. Part of the bark is removed so that the wood does not crack during drying. Then the logs are stored and dried for several years in a well-ventilated place. It is necessary to start treating the wood when it is neither dry nor soft. Each part goes through more than a dozen operations. The smallest doll - inseparable - is made first. When the "baby" is ready, we move on to the next figurine, in which the first one will be nested. The next part is processed and cut according to the required height. The wood is then removed from the inside of the two parts of the second doll so that the smaller doll fits snugly inside. Then the process is repeated for a larger doll, which will include the previous two, etc. The number of dolls can be different. At the end of the process, each doll is coated with oil varnish. After drying and final polishing, the artist proceeds with the varnishing. Gouache and oil paints are used as paints.