The childhood of those who are a little over 40 today, as well as their parents, was spent in company with such wonderful periodicals as "Funny Pictures", "Bonfire", "Pioneer", "Young Naturalist" and many other literary ones. Riddles, puzzles, tales, poems, science fiction stories, and popular science articles filled the leisure of the children of that time, making it informative and interesting. Many of these publications are published now. So, in 2014, the wonderful children's magazine “Murzilka” celebrates its 90th anniversary.
From the history of creation
When this monthly was planned, in addition to the literary content, its authors wanted to come up with a hero who would become a kind of visiting card of the publication, so that children would like it, so that readers would love it and consider it their friend. This funny character must have been featured in every issue. The name of the magazine was invented right away - Murzilka. Consequently, the authors should also have named the main character. The problem appeared unexpectedly: how to draw Murzilka? What should it be like?
The creators of the magazine borrowed his name from Anna Hvolston, a children's writer, who at the end of the 19th century composed an exciting tale about a small nation - elves. It was there that the cheerful travelers Murzilka and his friends appeared, who, in their round-the-world wanderings, found themselves in various ridiculous and absurd situations, but who with honor came out of difficult situations. The hero himself flaunted in a black tailcoat, a high top hat, with a monocle on his nose. Outwardly, this image was associated with the “bourgeoisie,” as the nobles were called at the dawn of Soviet power. But how to draw Murzilka so that he matches the name, and ideologically “did not disappoint”? The situation was not easy. First, the role of the main character was put forward just a cute, cute puppy, white with dark spots. He and the owner appeared, a boy named Petya. However, the dog did not become the "face of the magazine", did not gain popularity. And the question of how to draw Murzilka, as before, remained relevant for the editors.
Yellow fur coat, red beret
For 13 years the magazine was published without its mascot. The numbers appeared regularly, but the one who united all the plots, led the readers through the labyrinths of works and games, never did. And only in 1937 it was invented how to draw Murzilka - exactly the way children and even adults loved and loved him (the contingent of the magazine was 6-12 years old children). The honor of creating the image belonged to the artist Kanevsky. He came up with a charming little man, or little animal - bright yellow, like the sun, fluffy, with a sly muzzle, a red beret on his head, a long scarf of the same color on his neck and a camera over his shoulder. He is as old as his readers, he communicates with boys and girls in a language they understand. This mischievous character, curious, and sometimes curious, resourceful, friendly, became a good friend to many generations of Soviet children.
Draw together
How to draw Murzilka if your kids want to try it? The process is quite simple, a first grader will also cope with it. Of course, with the help of you, dear parents! Prepare a simple pencil and eraser, album sheet, colored
wax crayons and paints or pencils, felt-tip pens. And, of course, one of the issues of the magazine to consider your favorite in detail. Let's think about how to draw Murzilka in stages. And let's start with the muzzle. Draw a small circle. Then - round eyes. Try to give them a sly expression. Add a little triangle to the nose a little lower. And a cheerful, broad, as they say, “to the ears” smile. The final touch - takes, shifted a little on one side. The last step in solving the question of how to draw Murzilka in stages with a pencil is to draw the contours of the body.
Colorize the picture.
Our magazine friend is almost ready. There is very little left - to colorize it and add the missing details of the image. First, paint the entire shape with yellow. You can take ocher, lemon or with a light orange tint. Then black outline the contours of the body, eyes, nose and mouth. Paint over the pupils and nose. Red, raspberry or orange make a beret and a scarf. Brown is the camera. If you use paints, let them dry well. Now take a light brown crayon and a thin shading depict fur wool. The big plus of this technique is that the picture starts to shine like glossy. Dye the beret and scarf with other suitable colors. Admire the fruits of your labor and rejoice with the child!