Chiaroscuro

Light emerging from darkness. Shadow giving form to light. This is the principle at the heart of chiaroscuro - the technique mastered by Caravaggio and Rembrandt, and one of the most powerful tools in oil painting.

This collection brings together still life paintings made in that tradition - works where a single light source illuminates the subject against a deep, dark background, and where the drama lives entirely in the contrast between what is revealed and what is left in shadow. Each painting is an exercise in observation, patience, and the particular pleasure of watching an object come to life under a carefully placed light.

These works were developed following an online study with David A. Leffel - one of the foremost living painters in the classical realist tradition - and reflect a deep engagement with the Old Masters' approach to light, tone, and the quiet drama of everyday objects.
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  • A framed still life painting featuring pink flowers, orange fruits, and a blue-and-white porcelain dish on a dark background, displayed against a light beige wall. Blossom and Oranges - original oil still life by Marta Stolarska, spring blossom in old white and blue porcelain bowl with glowing oranges on white linen cloth, oil on cradled wooden panel, 30x30cm

    Spring Blossoms

    Spring Blossoms
    £600.00
  • A framed still life painting featuring a white and blue patterned ceramic vase on a dark brown tabletop, surrounded by oranges, cherries, and a lemon, set against a light beige wall. Bouncing Light - original oil still life by Marta Stolarska, large white vase glowing with reflected light, oranges and grapes, painted from life on cradled wooden canvas panel, 30x30cm

    Bouncing Light

    Bouncing Light
    £600.00
  • A framed oil painting of a single lit candle on a dark background, mounted on a light beige wall. The painting features a textured dark blue-green background, a glowing yellow and orange flame, a red and gold candle, and a brown surface.

    By the candlelight

    By the candlelight
    £235.00
  • A framed still life painting featuring red roses, green leaves, and a pink glass cup on a dark background, presented in a light wood frame against a neutral wall. Darkness and Roses - original oil still life by Marta Stolarska, red roses and small pink jewellery pot emerging from darkness with strategic light, chiaroscuro painting on cradled wooden panel, 30x30cm

    Darkness and Roses

    Darkness and Roses
    £600.00
  • Emerging from the Shadows - original oil still life by Marta Stolarska, tall teal vase with light bouncing off its surface emerging from darkness, with oranges and branch, chiaroscuro painting on cradled wooden panel, 30x30cm

    Teal Vase

    Teal Vase
    £600.00
  • A framed still life painting of a yellow lemon with a sliced half on top, set against a dark gray background, enclosed in a light beige frame and mounted on a neutral light gray wall.

    For the limoncello

    For the limoncello
    £195.00
  • A framed painting of a lit candle on a dark textured background, presented in a light wood frame against a neutral off-white wall.

    Guiding Fire

    Guiding Fire
    £235.00
  • The Delicate Garden Hydrangeas - original oil painting by Marta Stolarska, pink and white hydrangeas in a glass vase with blooms on a wooden table, 20x20cm deep edge canvas, ready to hang

    The Delicate Garden Hydrangeas

    The Delicate Garden Hydrangeas
    £395.00
  • A framed still life painting featuring a red pitcher, green leaves, and small fruits on a tabletop, set against a dark brown background. The artwork is housed in a light beige frame and displayed on a neutral light gray wall. The Spirit of Midwinter - original oil painting by Marta Stolarska, winter berries, oranges and garlic in a red vase, midwinter still life on deep edge canvas, 20x20cm, ready to hang

    The Spirit of Midwinter

    The Spirit of Midwinter
    £395.00
  • A framed still life painting featuring a blue and white patterned vase, grapes, and small fruits on a warm brown tabletop against a dark background, displayed in a light wood frame on a neutral wall. The Warmth of the Autumnal Glow - original oil painting by Marta Stolarska, oranges, grapes and leaves in a white and blue vase, autumnal light glowing across the composition, 20x20cm deep edge canvas

    The Warmth of the Autumnal Glow

    The Warmth of the Autumnal Glow
    £395.00
  • A framed still life painting featuring pink and red flowers in a white vase against a dark brown background, enclosed in a light beige frame and mounted on a light gray wall. Where the Light Falls - original oil painting by Marta Stolarska, rose arrangement in white and blue vase with fallen roses on table, light moving across composition, 20x20cm deep edge canvas

    Where the Light Falls

    Where the Light Falls
    £395.00
  • A framed still life painting of fruit, featuring oranges, grapes, and a pear on a gold tray, set against a dark brown background. The artwork is housed in a light beige frame and is mounted on a neutral light gray wall. Abundance - original chiaroscuro oil painting of a gilded fruit bowl with oranges and grapes by Marta Stolarska

    Abundance

    Abundance
    £800.00
  • A framed still life painting featuring a glossy blue vase with green leaves and small purple flowers on a warm brown tabletop, set against a dark brown background, enclosed in a light beige frame. Still life painting with a blue jug, green leaves, and purple berries on a dark background. Chiaroscuro sculptural techniques.

    Blue Amphora

    Blue Amphora
    £800.00
  • A framed still life painting depicting three pumpkins on a wooden surface against a dark background, shown hanging on a light gray wall. Still life painting with a copper kettle and pumpkins on a dark background. Chiaroscuro sculptural techniques.

    Pumpkin Trio

    Pumpkin Trio
    £550.00
  • A framed still life painting featuring a copper kettle, a small orange pumpkin, and a striped green-and-orange pumpkins against a dark background, shown in a light wood frame on a white wall. Chiaroscuro sculptural techniques.

    Pumpkins with The Copper Kettle

    Pumpkins with The Copper Kettle
    £550.00
  • A framed still life painting of a green striped pumpkin on a dark background, housed in a light wood frame and displayed against a plain white wall. Chiaroscuro sculptural style of painting.

    In a Spotlight

    In a Spotlight
    £550.00
  • Black Panther
    Sold out

    Black Panther

    Black Panther
    £454.00

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