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Genevieve Sebastian
Tradition in stillness
This artwork is my interpretation of a classical painting by Raja Ravi Varma, recreated using watercolour pencils. It portrays a poised woman holding a tray of fruits, symbolising hospitality and cultural tradition. In this piece, I focused on developing technical control through careful layering and blending to achieve soft transitions in skin tones and fabric. The soft lighting highlights her face and the textures of the fabric, while the simple background keeps the focus on her. I paid particular attention to the intricate folds of the sari and the balance of light and shadow to create depth.
While inspired by Varma’s realistic style, I incorporated my own approach by simplifying certain details and emphasising colour harmony to create a more contemporary feel. This process allowed me to explore both observation and personal expression, resulting in a work that reflects classical influence while demonstrating my individual artistic voice.
Size: 29.7 × 42 cm
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