Contemporary still life paintings in oil, exploring light, structure and close observation

Photograph of a 10 x 10 cm Royal Gala apple painted against a dark background

About

Photograph of me in a black T shirt against a white wall

I’m Christopher Duff, an artist working primarily in oil, charcoal and graphite.I have drawn and painted since childhood, returning to art more deliberately in 2021.I’m interested in painting as a discipline: slowing down, looking carefully, and building form through measured layers of value and colour. For me, painting is less about symbolism and more about attention – how light shifts across a simple object, how colour deepens within shadow, how structure emerges through sustained observation.

Photograph of me around 4-5 years old proudly holding up my big seaside painting, framed.

Paintings

Ten Small Studies, 2024–2026

A series of small still life paintings exploring scale and restraint. Each work measures 10 × 10 cm, allowing close attention to proportion, tone and edge.Painted from life in oil on panel, the works develop through sustained observation and revision, emphasising light and structure over narrative.Original oil paintings, available directly from the artist.

Apple

Apple still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£95

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Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

A Royal Gala apple painted under controlled studio light, focusing on small colour shifts within the skin and careful tonal modelling to describe form without exaggeration.

Cherries

Two cherries still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£85

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Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

Two cherries arranged closely together, exploring contrast between dark local colour, sharp highlights and softer reflected light against a muted ground.

Bauble

Bauble still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£95

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Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

A red glass bauble observed directly, concentrating on transparency, reflections and distorted colour shifts created by the curved surface.

Pear

Pear still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£85

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Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

A conference pear studied for its asymmetrical form and restrained colour range of green and ochre tones. Painted following the still life methods of Estelle Day.

Brush cleaner

Brush cleaner still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£85

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Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

A well-used studio container painted from observation, examining muted metallic reflections and subtle tonal variation across worn surfaces.

Egg

Egg still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£75

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Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

A single egg painted with limited colour and close tonal control. Created during a period of study following Estelle Day’s still life methods.

Paint tubes

Paint tubes still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£85

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Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

A trio of paint tubes, focusing on compressed shapes, creases and the way light moves across folded metal surfaces.

Red onion

Red onion still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£95

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Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

A red onion, paying particular attention to surface transitions between matte skin and sharper highlights. Painted during a period of study following Estelle Day’s still life methods.

White mug

White mug still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£75

Secure payment via PayPal checkout

Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

A simple white mug explored through tone, where shifting highlights and soft shadows define volume. Made during a period of study following Estelle Day’s still life methods.

Orange

Orange still life oil painting on panel by British artist Christopher Duff

£75

Secure payment via PayPal checkout

Oil on linen panel
10 x 10 cm
Unframed
UK shipping included

An orange painted from direct observation, concentrating on surface texture and subtle variations in colour across the peel under steady light.

All paintings are carefully packed and shipped from my studio in the UK. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.

Contact

For questions about available works or commissions, email [email protected]

Terms

Payment
Payments are processed securely via PayPal.Pricing
All artworks are original works by Christopher Duff. Prices are listed in pounds sterling and include UK shipping.Shipping
Artworks are carefully packaged and typically dispatched within 5 working days. For international shipping, please contact me before purchase to arrange delivery and pricing.Damage in Transit
If your artwork arrives damaged, please contact me within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the damage and packaging so that the issue can be resolved.Returns
In accordance with UK consumer regulations, you may cancel your purchase within 14 days of delivery. The artwork must be returned in its original condition. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.

Thank you

Thank you for your purchase.You’ll receive confirmation from PayPal shortly. I’ll be in touch within 72 hours to confirm shipping.Christopher