A New Direction: Exploring Black Backgrounds in My Art

Color has always been at the heart of my work.

I love creating animals through vivid colors, expressive brushstrokes and strong contrasts. But recently, I wanted to explore what would happen if I placed all of that color against something completely different — a deep black background.

It started as an experiment, but after completing the first few paintings, I realized that I had discovered a direction I wanted to explore further.

Black doesn't take the color away.

It makes the color feel even more alive.

The Beginning of a New Series

One of the things I love most about painting is that my style is never completely finished. Every new canvas gives me an opportunity to try something different.

With these new works, the black background creates a dramatic contrast with the bright colors of the animals. Instead of competing with the subject, the background almost disappears, allowing the colors, shapes and expressions to become the center of attention.

So far, three paintings with this approach have been completed: Camel, Powerful Bull and Majestic Deer.

Camel — 100 × 70 cm / 39.4 × 27.6 in

The camel was one of the first works that made me realize how much I enjoyed this new direction.

Camels have always represented endurance, patience and the ability to continue moving forward through difficult environments. I wanted to combine those qualities with the energy and optimism of my colorful painting style.

Against the dark background, the vivid colors become even stronger and transform the animal into a contemporary statement piece.

View the original Camel painting


Powerful Bull — 120 × 80 cm / 47.2 × 31.5 in



The bull has a completely different energy.

For me, it represents inner strength — not aggression, but courage, persistence and the ability to keep moving forward despite obstacles.

I used layers of vivid color to create movement and energy while keeping the bull's calm, determined expression.

Here, I think the black background works particularly well. The darkness surrounding the subject makes every color more visible and gives the bull an even stronger presence.

View the original Powerful Bull painting

Majestic Deer — 120 × 80 cm / 47.2 × 31.5 in

With the deer, I wanted to capture something different again — strength combined with elegance.

Its proud presence and impressive antlers represent grace, freedom and our connection with nature.

The expressive colors bring movement into the animal, while the dark surroundings allow its silhouette and antlers to become an even more dominant part of the composition.

View the original Majestic Deer painting

And Then Came the Giraffe...

There is one more painting that belongs to this new chapter, although its background is a little different.

The Giraffe is one of the largest paintings I have created so far, measuring an impressive 180 × 120 cm / 70.9 × 47.2 in.

At first glance, its background may appear almost completely black.

But when you come closer, you discover that it isn't.

Across the black background, I wrote a large number of quotes and thoughts connected to animals, giraffes, nature and life — all written with my foot.

The words become part of the painting itself.

From a distance, they create texture and depth. From up close, they invite you to stop, read and discover details that aren't immediately visible.

I loved the idea that the painting could offer two different experiences depending on how close you are to it.

Discover the original Giraffe painting

Where This Series Goes Next

These paintings are only the beginning.

I don't yet know exactly how many works this series will include — and I actually like that.

Part of creating art is allowing an idea to develop naturally instead of deciding everything before the first brushstroke touches the canvas.

What I do know is that I want to continue exploring this contrast between dark backgrounds and intense color, while finding new ways to make every animal tell its own story.

There are already more ideas waiting to become paintings.

And I'll be sharing them with you as this new series continues to grow.

Thank you for following my journey and for allowing me to keep experimenting, creating and evolving as an artist.

— Dejana Nežić
Girl With Wings