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Russian Artist Reveals Her Mysterious Sketchbook To The World, And It’s Full Of Visual Secrets
If you've got an old soul, you'll be enamored by the delightfully old-fashioned work of Moscow-based artist Elena Limkina. Every week, she offers the world a glimpse into her personal sketchbook, and its pages tell vivid stories of nature, architecture, and classical paintings.
Though Limkina specializes in watercolour materials, she's also very handy with a dip pen, and uses both to bring shadows and luminosity, respectively, to various botanical and scientific illustrations. "I have been painting since childhood," she writes on her official website. "I've been studying medical engineering, but my passion for fine arts has taken precedence." A wide variety of influences have clearly come to bear on her style, such as Baroque, Renaissance, and perhaps a touch of modernism; her flower paintings wouldn't look out of place in the portfolio of Georgia O'Keefe.
Get acquainted with some of our favourite pages from Elena Limkina's sublime sketchbook below, and let us know which ones you wouldn't mind having framed on your wall.
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#1
Jordan Dickerson 8 years ago
Beautiful. I value every form of art (if it is not contemporary art).
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#2
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
Everything is put so neatly underneath each other. The the drawings combined with the calligraphy makes it look like it's the studies of a Renaissance master
Flora Polvado 8 years ago
Possible symbolism, it matches the tattoo on thigh(?), and the crow has the same eternity symbol under his talon.
Load More Replies... Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
It's all so perfect, so beautiful. Odd Thought: Notice that she has very long fingers. That is, usually, a pretty good sign that the person is somehow artistic. Whether it be art, musical ability, or some other form of creativity.
#3
Nancy E 8 years ago
This sketchbook will stand the test of time, just like other old masters have !
Tinkie Kat 2 years ago
All of your work is amazing. I have you in my bookmarks so I can look at your illusttations. Krasiva.
#4
Lisa St Mary 8 years ago
Those are most likely not her hands. She would have the noteworthy bump on the finger where the pen and brushes rest and rub. There is no way to avoid that. But these hands are lovely shown with her exquisite work.
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Sara MacFarland 8 years ago
Her drawings are almost 3-dimensional! They look as if you could reach out and pluck them from the page.
Isabel Tamayo 8 years ago
Aside from the intricate contents of the sketchbook. the cute ring also caught my attention... :)
#5
Joanna Lea 8 years ago
My dear, you would be doing yourself a dis-service if you did anything OTHER than sharing your extra-ordinary talent with your detail in drawing. God Bless!
#6
#7
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
Amazing!! This is definitely the best drawing of a skull that I have ever seen. The calligraphy is beautiful and I love how you sign your name and incorporate it into the infinity symbol.
craftsandcramps 8 years ago
It's so hard to draw a fragile skull that actually looks fragile. Nice work!
Katinka Min 8 years ago
I like the different shades of white and the contrast of the the slightly sinister skull with the fluffy cloth the book is on.
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
I love how she used both pages in a great advantage for this image
#8
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
Just imagine how long it took to draw all those lines. Very impressive
#9
Katinka Min 8 years ago
My personal favourite. I LOVE the small watercolour with the cables in the sky
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
I love the acorn-like, glass-bottomed little ornament. I think it's amazing that she actually made it look like glass.
#10
Genevieve du Trieux 8 years ago
I would as well! I wonder if she would consider publishing it
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Marta Laszczka 8 years ago
if only you can hold pencil, then you can! ;) drawing isn't about mysterious talent, it's about many many hours of practice and understanding how to achieve concrect effect. if you have Internet, you can find a lot of tutorials how to draw (and write) in many styles ;) so the only limit is how much you want to do this :)
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Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
I love it!! I just happen to have both of those plants, her drawings of them are PERFECT!!
Susan Morrish 8 years ago
Agree with Robyn Stortenbeker. Beautiful drawings. Would love the book. Your work is absolutely lovely.
Boots Scott 8 years ago
So would I like a copy of the whole book!..any printed...? Extreme talent..might be rude to ask but would love to know her age...approximately ,of course, one should never ask a lady her age, but those beautiful hands potentially are a kinda clue!
Sara MacFarland 8 years ago
I love how the ring and bracelet reflect the lines of the cacti on the page
OKC Wedding Officiants Pastor John T. Snelson V (Heidi Does Weddings) 8 years ago
These are fantastic and each time I look at them it is a new experience. Instead of choosing I would dedicate an entire wall.
Martha Lava 8 years ago
Absolutely beautiful including what appears to be a hand made journal and the calligraphy is as beautiful as the drawings. I agree with Robyn, I would love a copy of this journal.
#11
#12
Flora Polvado 8 years ago
Both are equally beautiful, with and without color. Wish I had a bit of her talent. I would be drawing every day.
Carolina Garofani 8 years ago
It's the other way around! It's by drawing every day that you get to be able to do things like that. Start drawing today!
Load More Replies... #13
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
I love birds and water. This is so beautiful. And I love the ring. : )
#14
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#16
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
I absolutely love this one. Blue, especially dark blue, is my favorite color. I recently discovered a love of birds, I would love to know what kind of bird this is. And it's so beautifully detailed.
#17
#18
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
It's perfect, and the eye makes it look like it's alive. I love the detailing. Amazing!!
#19
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
This is an amazing color study, I think this is what every art student and/or hobbyist should try out
Flora Polvado 8 years ago
I going to do this with my pencils and markers. Seems fun, and even I can do this!
Load More Replies... #20
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
Awesome. I love the man with the beard in the upper left corner, that is the only beard I've ever seen that looked beautiful.
Dawn Holcombe 8 years ago
Most people don't even have the imagination to do this, yet this artist is able to execute her vision.
#21
#22
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
Beautiful combination of flower and gym, gorgeous. I would love to be able to wear a smaller version on a necklace. And in the lower right-hand corner, it looks like you just placed a flower on it, perfect 3D creation.
#24
#25
Sara MacFarland 8 years ago
She is so skilled at making the eyes so penetrating. The cats' eyes seem to look right through you.
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
I love every single thing on this page. Hell, I've loved every single thing on every page.
#26
#27
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
Amazing 3D painting. And that is the perfect ring to show this painting with.
#28
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
This is amazing. It would be awesome if, (say I wanted to build a house), I could get you to draw both the outside and the inside of it. And then I would be able to give the drawings to the builders and they could build it exactly like the drawings. If only Iwe
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
The last sentences were supposed to say....If only I were rich. Because that would be the most beautiful house, mansion, or castle in the world.
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#30
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
And on the left side page there is a bird eyeing a cat...lol.
Load More Replies... #31
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
Awesome. I wonder if the jewelry is real or another piece of 3D art. It would be awesome if it was 3D. And if the necklace is real, it's gorgeous, and I would love to wear it.
#32
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#34
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
Oh, my. I would love a slightly larger print of this to put on my wall.
#35
#37
#38
Assia Senna 8 years ago
Chrysanthème tête de lion rose lin de vin ...j'adore! Je préfère les parles, et les mordorés ❤❤ mais magnifique aquarelles
#39
#40
#42
#43
Sara MacFarland 8 years ago
It looks like I could pick it up and it would have dimension and be lilac scented!
#44
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#48
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
I think this could be used as the outer part of a coat of arm. All you would have to do is add the middle part. Or you could draw or put a picture of a loved one in it. I would love to have a few of these with pictures of my loved ones who have passed away. Beautiful.
#51
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Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
And I want to say Thank You as well. You are SO talented, and your inner beauty shines out through your beautiful artwork. I really appreciate it that you chose to share your work with us. I feel honored at being able to see it. And if you ever do decide to sell prints, I would love to have them. (If I can afford them, of course). Also, you have beautiful hands and I love your nails and your rings, and other jewelry. Every single piece of art that you shared with us was so beautiful, so lovely, and so awesome. You are blessed and you truly have a beautiful soul. Thank You!! again for sharing your artwork and yourself with us. May Peace, Love, and Light Guide Your Way!!
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
I love this one too. I would love to have a print of this to hang on my wall. Along with all the others I want.
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Bina Acharya 8 years ago
i love them all..and i am scroll up and down repeatedly.. :) beautiful work
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
This is one of those artists who can be an amazing example for many life drawing students who are working on their current sketchbooks. I have to admit that mine is quite messy, compared to hers, but after seeing these photos, I wouldn't mind trying this organized way of sketching in the future.
Isabel Tamayo 8 years ago
I can't get enough. Really amazing collection. Thank you for sharing! :)
endelbendel 8 years ago
Lots of talent but with little meaning. The more you look at them they look like an eighth grade nerd gone manic with mechanical drawing.
Bina Acharya 8 years ago
i love them all..and i am scroll up and down repeatedly.. :) beautiful work
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
This is one of those artists who can be an amazing example for many life drawing students who are working on their current sketchbooks. I have to admit that mine is quite messy, compared to hers, but after seeing these photos, I wouldn't mind trying this organized way of sketching in the future.
Isabel Tamayo 8 years ago
I can't get enough. Really amazing collection. Thank you for sharing! :)
endelbendel 8 years ago
Lots of talent but with little meaning. The more you look at them they look like an eighth grade nerd gone manic with mechanical drawing.
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