Queen of the Waters is an original soft pastel swan artwork featuring a graceful swan surrounded by dark, gently textured water and natural reeds. This piece is part of my Wildlife Series, a collection of original artworks inspired by animals and birds found in the natural world.
I wanted to create a realistic portrait of the swan while still keeping the artwork recognisably my own. The swan has been carefully rendered with close attention to its anatomy, expression, form and natural colouring, while the feathers are built up with my own distinctive approach to texture and layering.
The feathers are an important part of this artwork. Rather than treating the plumage as a smooth surface, I have worked through many layers of soft pastel to create the individual textures, overlapping forms and subtle variations in tone that give the swan its characteristic appearance. The result is a realistic wildlife portrait with a strong tactile quality and plenty of detail to discover when viewed up close.
The darker water surrounding the swan provides a natural contrast to the pale feathers. Subtle reflections, movement in the water and delicate reeds in the foreground help to place the bird within its environment rather than presenting it simply as a standalone portrait.
The title “Queen of the Waters” reflects the quiet presence and elegance of the swan within the composition. There is a sense of stillness in the artwork, but also movement through the textured water and carefully layered feathers.
An original piece of wildlife art
This is a one-of-a-kind original soft pastel artwork, rather than a print or reproduction. It has been created using archival-quality materials with the intention of preserving the artwork for years to come.
The finished artwork has been professionally presented in a custom-made frame with a double mount and glass protection. The neutral frame and mount have been chosen to complement the cool grey, white and natural tones of the swan without distracting from the artwork itself.
At 64 × 62 cm including the frame, it is a substantial piece that can make a strong feature on a wall while still working comfortably within a home, office, hallway, bedroom or other living space.
Queen of the Waters would suit anyone looking for original wildlife art, swan artwork, bird art or nature-inspired wall art, particularly those who appreciate detailed traditional drawing and handmade artwork rather than mass-produced decoration.
As an original artwork by artist Ivett Orel, there is only one Queen of the Waters. Once sold, the original will not be available again.
