A la Norma

Oil pastel on paper

9.5 × 12.5 inches (24.1 × 31.8 cm)

This still life brings together the weight and richness of everyday forms through a close, intimate arrangement of tomatoes and aubergines. Deep reds and violets dominate the surface, set against a softer, patterned ground that introduces a quieter rhythm of line and colour.

The work is built through layered oil pastel, with visible strokes and pressure shifts giving the forms a sense of density and immediacy. Light moves across the curved surfaces, catching edges and transitions, while the contrast between matte and saturated areas creates subtle depth.

Painted from observation, the composition focuses on colour as both structure and atmosphere, allowing familiar objects to become studies in tone, balance and presence.