Elena Elkina is a self-taught, contemporary Spanish painter born in Russia. Her artistic career began in the field of photography, driven by a passion to capture the beauty of the world around her. However, she soon felt limited by photography’s inability to fully convey what she saw.
Painting her first canvas marked a turning point in her creative path. Since then, painting has become an essential part of her life, taking advantage of every free moment to learn and create. Deeply inspired by Impressionism, her work is influenced by both Russian and Spanish artists, most notably Joaquín Sorolla, whose mastery of light and colour resonates deeply in her works.
In addition to being largely self-taught, Elena Elkina has expanded her skills by attending L’Atelier, a dynamic art school and creative space dedicated to artistic learning and experimentation. Through its personalized approach, she has been able to explore various techniques and further develop her artistic language.
At L’Atelier, she has participated in specialized courses in oil painting, refining her technique and deepening her understanding of composition, color, and light. The school’s collaborative environment has provided her with the opportunity to exchange ideas with other artists, broadening her creative perspective and artistic growth.
Elena Elkina creates her paintings using water-mixable oil paints because they allow her to work without toxic solvents. She participates in a painting workshop where the use of hazardous substances is prohibited, and she also paints at home, where she prefers to maintain a safe and solvent-free environment. Water-mixable oils provide the same richness and depth as traditional oils while being a healthier and more eco-friendly option.
