Clotilde Aksin-Frappier’s oil pastel landscape on shikishi captures the quiet beauty of the rolling hills of Brittany, France. This artwork presents a serene countryside scene with lush green slopes, distant tree lines, and soft atmospheric tones that gradually fade into the horizon. The subtle shifts in light and color create a sense of depth, reflecting the natural charm of Brittany’s rural landscape.
Medium and Technique
This piece is created using oil pastels, a medium that blends pigments with wax and oil, offering a smoother consistency than dry pastels. The artist employs delicate layering and blending techniques to achieve a soft yet vibrant effect, allowing the colors to flow seamlessly across the composition. The choice of shikishi, a traditional Japanese art board, adds a distinctive texture to the piece, enhancing the richness of the pastel application.
Aksin-Frappier’s approach mirrors the qualities of oil painting, as oil pastels can be blended with traditional mediums or turpentine oil for increased fluidity. This technique allows for a nuanced representation of natural elements, from the soft grass in the foreground to the diffused tones of the distant hills.
A Landscape Inspired by Brittany
Brittany’s landscapes are known for their rolling hills, vast open fields, and dynamic skies, often shifting between clear and overcast. This painting reflects those characteristics through a balance of natural greens, earth tones, and a muted sky. The composition avoids sharp contrasts, instead emphasizing a gentle transition between elements, creating a realistic and immersive depiction of Brittany’s countryside.
The use of shikishi in this piece introduces a fusion of Western and Eastern artistic traditions. Typically used for calligraphy and painting, shikishi provides a firm surface that complements the richness of oil pastels, resulting in a balanced interplay between texture and color.
Collecting Oil Pastel Art
Oil pastels offer a unique appeal for collectors due to their rich pigmentation and durability. Unlike dry pastels, they do not smudge as easily and retain their vibrancy over time. Clotilde Aksin-Frappier’s landscape oil pastels are particularly sought after for their detailed execution and atmospheric depth.
For art collectors and enthusiasts looking to buy a shikishi art piece, this work serves as an excellent example of how contemporary oil pastel art can capture nature with both technical precision and expressive subtlety. It is ideal for those interested in landscape paintings, Brittany-inspired artwork, and mixed-media techniques on shikishi.