Petroleum paintings by Ludmila Zhizhenko
Belarusian artist Ludmila Zhizhenko invented a new technology of painting. In particular, instead of watercolor paints she uses oil (petroleum) produced in the Gomel region. Zhizhenko worked as a designer at Petroleum company for several years, and there she painted her first picture in oil. Noteworthy, works painted in petroleum have an unusual color and resemble vintage yellowed photographs. Ludmila Zhizhenko has arranged an exhibitions of her “petroleum” works.
Meanwhile, two dozen of such petroleum paintings decorate the walls of her studio in Gomel. A professional artist, Zhizhenko started working with oil relatively recent. Prior to that she practiced traditional oil and watercolor. According to the artist, petroleum paintings is now her favorite technique. Creative approach for this material results in a beautiful painting.

Ludmila Zhizhenko shares some secrets of her skills. “It is important not to stop putting stroke after stroke. Otherwise if the oil dries out – will be very difficult to fix something”. Unusual paint gives the picture an unusual color – the color of the earth. And this means life.

Petroleum painting technique is very similar to the photo of the last century, such a synthesis of photography and painting. This is just a new direction in perspective. Spring floods, summer fishing, or village in winter – all the pictures are from nature. Also, the specifics of working with oil is that it includes almost all the chemical elements of a periodic table.

A member of the Belarusian Union of Designers, Ludmila Zhizhenko lives and works in Gomel, Belarus. She graduated from the Minsk Art School named after AK Glebov. Traditionally, Zhizhenko works in the genres of portrait, landscape, and still life.

Her works are in private collections abroad.

Petroleum paintings by Ludmila Zhizhenko

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