HIGHLY REALISTIC DIGITAL PORTRAITS OF KNIGHTS OF UKRAINE PROJECT AS A NEW APPROACH FOR PRESERVING THE MILITARY HERITAGE OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The aim of the research is to create a new approach to preserving the artistic military-historical heritage of Ukraine by establishing virtual galleries (using the “Knights of Ukraine” project as an example), improving techniques and popularizing digital portrait painting, changing views on the system of forming national memory and military identity, and increasing the prestige of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the ongoing conditions of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Methodology. As part of the research, an analysis is conducted of the artistic output of the “Knights of Ukraine” project as an example of high digital art, the identity (branding) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Ukrainian military heraldry from the period of the Ukrainian National Republic (UNR). The creation of the portraits is based on the principle of exclusively manual execution, without the use of artificial intelligence technologies or generative computer graphics algorithms. The artists use a graphic tablet and proprietary digital brushes, including the creation of their own methods and techniques for their application. This approach allows for the achievement of unique high realism (hyperrealism) and maximum emotional depth, while preserving the artistic style, which is a key element of the artistic heritage. To substantiate the role of virtual galleries, methods of comparative analysis of traditional memorial institutions and the possibilities of interactive digital spaces are applied Results. An original methodology for creating highly realistic digital portraits is proposed, which includes sets of digital brushes and techniques for their application. An analysis of UNR heraldry and Ukrainian military tradition, particularly the evolution of the modern identity (branding) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has been conducted. An approach is proposed for preserving the modern military heritage of the AFU through the creation of imperishable digital portraits, protected from physical destruction, and the formation of virtual digital galleries as a logical step in the development of Ukrainian national memory institutions. Scientific novelty. The “Knights of Ukraine” project is introduced into academic discourse for the first time and subjected to a comprehensive art historical and culturological analysis as a precedent for the creation of artistic military-historical heritage in a highly realistic digital format. The authors’ methodology for manual digital portraiture (hyperrealism) is developed and theoretically substantiated. This methodology is based on unique techniques for using digital brushes and a graphic tablet, proving the possibility of achieving the highest artistic level without the use of generative AI algorithms. A new model for forming and preserving contemporary military identity and national memory proposed. A comparative analysis of the traditional principles of military heraldry (specifically, during the UNR period) and the evolution of the modern identity (branding) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is conducted in the context of reflecting these elements in digital portrait painting. Practical relevance. The research results provide an effective tool for the cultural diplomacy of Ukraine. Highly realistic digital portraits, created manually, can be used in international projects, exhibitions, and information campaigns to increase the prestige of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, form a positive image of the warrior-defender, and promote Ukrainian narratives in the global cultural space, while ensuring the development of Ukrainian national military-historical heritage institutions. The authors propose a methodology for creating digital artistic hyperrealism portraits, which can be included in the curricula of art and design institutions, serving as a standard for combining traditional artistic skill and cutting-edge technological tools.