Oil, cold wax, charcoal and gold leaf – art projects by Elena Lagun

My painting is a combination of classical and modern techniques, allowing me to create works full of depth and emotional charge. I work meticulously on each painting, using layers of transparent, translucent, and saturated colors to convey the richness of textures and shades. My approach is based on careful observation of nature and human emotions, which lends my paintings vibrancy and authenticity.

Each of my works is the result of a painstaking creative process that combines intuition and professional artistry. The paintings possess a unique atmosphere that can immerse the viewer in a contemplative world,
evoking an inner response and inspiration. The harmony of color and expressive composition makes each painting an independent artistic expression.

All my art projects – abstract, landscape and figurative – are the fruits of my many years of experience.

Oil paints, cold wax and natural pigments

The foundation of my art projects is oil paintings, for which oil paints are mixed with cold wax and combined with natural dry pigments. Abstract paintings created with these materials acquire a special depth, texture, and elegant matte finish.

Executed mostly on large-format canvases or wooden panels and in natural shades of oil paints and artistic pigments, they achieve monumentality, convey a sense of volume, and create the illusion of space. My paintings seem to invite the viewer to step inside and fill the interior with light, color, and the illusion of volume: some soothe the eye, others lend it dynamism.

The details woven into the composition—such as handwritten inscriptions or small figurative depictions—lend the works additional meaning, philosophy, and depth. This allows me to convey my innermost artistic idea to the viewer.

Oil painting on gold and silver leaf

The paintings in this new art project are done in oil using a natural palette – sepia, emerald green, umber, ochre, ultramarine – on gold or silver leaf, which covers the canvas or wooden panel in a thin layer. The main motif is leaves, which create a vibrant movement on the surface of the canvas.

Light appears through its texture and thanks to the sheen of the genuine metal leaf, creating a sensation of shimmering air, a flickering effect, and a gentle swirl. This interplay of light and shadow allows the viewer to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of natural perfection, where there is room for quiet magic.

The paintings allow the viewer to immerse themselves in the philosophical and relaxing world of nature, creating the feeling of being directly involved in this dance of the leaves. In some works, there is a small figurative element that reinforces the feeling of oneness with the living world and makes the experience even more intimate.

Coal with gold or silver leaf

A separate series within this art project comprises my abstract-figurative charcoal paintings with elements of gold or silver leaf. Female figures, as well as motifs from nature and architecture, emerge on a wooden panel in a realistic and minimalist style. This process is devoid of unnecessary detail, yet imbued with a depth that conveys mood, carries its own energy and philosophical content, and harbors mystery and character.

Some works are presented in diptych format, where charcoal drawings and separate sheets of gold leaf combine to form a single painting. This technique allows me to combine two contrasting materials in one work: matte, light-absorbing, and understated charcoal, and glossy, light-reflecting gold leaf. They enter into a dialogue and complement each other: sometimes calming, sometimes adding dynamism, sometimes expanding the space, sometimes absorbing it.

This creates a natural contrast without diminishing the image's profound philosophical content. Creating such a work of art takes considerable time and involves the use of genuine 24-karat gold leaf.

Aesthetic and visual effect of gold leaf

• A play of light: The image changes depending on the time of day, viewing angle and lighting, creating the effect of a "live" canvas.
• Luminous effect: The thinnest gold leaves create the illusion of an inner, deep glow.
• Depth and texture: The combination of matte oil paints with glossy gold leaf creates a strong
  visual contrast and volume.
• Effect in the room: Gold leaf can visually enlarge the room and add warmth to dark or cold rooms by reflecting light rays.

I am constantly on a creative quest for new techniques and materials. I strive to be utterly honest with the viewer. My paintings are valuable not only for their visual impact, but also for their ability to convey profound philosophical and emotional meanings. They become a bridge between me and the viewer, inviting dialogue and contemplation.

I have put my energy, mood, worldview and philosophy into each work, creating original paintings that decorate the interior and evoke emotions.

Elena Lagun

Elena Lagun is a painter, born in Minsk in 1971. Today she lives and works in her studio, lagun ART studio, in Schindellegi (Canton Schwyz, Switzerland). In her abstract, landscape, and figurative works, she combines oil paint, cold wax, natural pigments, charcoal, and genuine gold leaf.

www.elenalagun.com/