Berries still life in blue tones (2021)Watercolour
by Natalia Butenko

In this watercolor painting, rendered in a refined palette of blue tones, a delicate bouquet of honeysuckle takes center stage. A few graceful branches with elongated berries are gathered into a compact arrangement, placed in an elegant ultramarine vase. Its glossy surface catches the light, reflecting it in soft, cool highlights—like sunlight playing on water under a cloudy sky.
Beside the vase rests a small nickel silver cup, its muted metallic sheen contrasting gently with the surrounding blues. It appears to have just tipped over, spilling a handful of berries—some have rolled onto a nearby delicate plate, while others rest on the surface. The honeysuckle berries range in hue from pale sky blue to deep, almost violet navy, their matte skins giving them a velvety, cool appearance—like early morning air in a garden.
The composition is enriched by scattered twigs, leaves, and berries, placed with quiet rhythm and intention. Every element is united in a harmonious blue-toned color scheme, lending the piece a dreamlike cohesion. Soft gradients, fluid washes, and subtle transitions between shades create an atmosphere of stillness, fragility, and light—as if this still life exists in a moment suspended gently between breath and memory.

Materials used:

Watercolours

Details:

• Watercolour on Paper
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 40.8 x 31 x 0.5cm (unframed)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Illustrative
• Subject: Still life

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