select distinct left(painter_name,2) as fl
                from lect_painter inner join lect_url_painter on lect_painter.painter_id=lect_url_painter.painter_id
                where painter_name like 'Α%'
                order by fl asc
Illegal mix of collations (utf8mb4_general_ci,IMPLICIT) and (utf8mb3_general_ci,COERCIBLE) for operation 'like'

select SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS lect_painter.painter_id, painter_name, count(distinct lect_url_painter.url_id) n_books
                from lect_painter
                     inner join lect_url_painter
                     on lect_painter.painter_id=lect_url_painter.painter_id
                where painter_name like 'Α%'
                group by lect_painter.painter_id
                order by painter_name asc
                limit 0, 100
Illegal mix of collations (utf8mb4_general_ci,IMPLICIT) and (utf8mb3_general_ci,COERCIBLE) for operation 'like'