Clotilde Aksin-Frappier’s Oil Pastel Painting – The Lake
Clotilde Aksin-Frappier’s oil pastel shikishi artwork, The Lake, captures the tranquil beauty of Lake Léman as seen from Morges, Switzerland. The composition presents the lake’s vast expanse, where soft reflections of sky and water merge seamlessly. In the distance, the silhouette of mountains, including the snow-capped Mont Blanc, rises subtly, lending a sense of quiet grandeur to the scene.
Oil Pastel Technique on Shikishi
This work is executed on shikishi, a traditional Japanese art board that provides a smooth, rigid surface. Unlike textured pastel paper, shikishi requires a precise application of oil pastels, as the pigments do not absorb into the surface in the same way. Clotilde Aksin-Frappier masterfully adapts her technique, using delicate layering to build depth in the water and atmosphere while maintaining the medium’s characteristic vibrancy. The horizontal strokes of pastel mimic the natural movement of the lake’s surface, capturing its reflective qualities with soft, blended transitions.
The muted color palette, consisting of gentle blues, grays, and warm earth tones, enhances the composition’s serene mood. Subtle gradations in tone suggest the shifting light of the sky and the lake’s gentle ripples. The contrast between the hazy horizon and the crisp shoreline draws the viewer into the scene, evoking a moment of stillness and contemplation.
The Atmosphere of Lake Léman
Lake Léman, also known as Lake Geneva, is one of Europe’s most scenic bodies of water, stretching between Switzerland and France. The view from Morges, a town on the Swiss shore, offers an ever-changing spectacle of light, sky, and mountain reflections. Clotilde Aksin-Frappier’s interpretation captures this natural harmony, distilling the essence of calm waters, open space, and distant alpine majesty.
From Morges, one of the most striking features of the landscape is Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, located in France. On clear days, its snow-covered summit is visible, creating a dramatic focal point on the horizon.
In The Lake, Clotilde Aksin-Frappier subtly integrates Mont Blanc into the composition, emphasizing the interplay of light and atmosphere that makes the region so visually captivating.
Her approach aligns with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist sensibilities, emphasizing atmosphere over rigid detail. By focusing on light and tonal shifts, she allows the viewer to experience the ephemeral beauty of the lake’s landscape, much like the work of painters drawn to lake and water reflections in art history.
Collecting Oil Pastel Landscapes on Shikishi
This oil pastel shikishi artwork is an excellent choice for collectors interested in:
- Oil pastel landscapes featuring lakes and water reflections
- Works that explore the intersection of Japanese materials and European subject matter
- Contemporary interpretations of serene, atmospheric landscape
Clotilde Aksin-Frappier’s innovative use of oil pastels on shikishi demonstrates her ability to merge Eastern and Western artistic traditions, bringing a unique textural quality to her landscapes. Her precise handling of light and subtle color harmonies make The Lake a compelling and meditative piece.
"The Lake" - Oil pastel - Shikishi artwork by Clotilde Aksin-Frappier
Title in French : "Le lac".
Original one-of-a-kind artwork by Clotilde Aksin-Frappier.
Traditional Shikishi made in Kyoto - Japanese paper mounted on a cardoard with a golden border of metallic paper.
Oil Pastel.
Size : 24cm x 27cm (9.4 x 10.6 inches)
Signed and dated 2024.
