• Cropped human torso, hand grasping, colored pencils on artboard by Phaedra.
  • Soft Refusal – detail 2 – Colored pencils on artboard by Phaedra | VanArtHub
  • Soft Refusal – detail 3 – Colored pencils on artboard by Phaedra | VanArtHub
  • Soft Refusal — original People — detail 4 — painting by Phaedra | VanArtHub original art
  • Soft Refusal – detail 5 – Colored pencils on artboard by Phaedra | VanArtHub
  • Soft Refusal — original People — detail 6 — painting by Phaedra | VanArtHub original art
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Original art by Phaedra VanArtHub, Vancouver

Soft Refusal: Original Colored Pencil on Artboard by Phaedra | VanArtHub

Colored Pencil on Artboard11.8 × 15.7 in2025One-of-a-kind original

A minimal fine art portrait capturing vulnerability, silence, and emotional introspection through a delicate human gesture.

$723.00 CAD
$723.00 CAD
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Free insured shipping to Canada and the USA.

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  • For personal printing only. Copyright stays with the artist.

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The story behind this piece

This fine art portrait presents a quiet moment of emotional introspection. A female figure partially hides her face with her arms, suggesting vulnerability, exhaustion, and the need for inward retreat. The restrained palette and soft transitions dissolve sharp boundaries, allowing emotion to take precedence over form.



Rather than telling a direct story, the artwork offers a pause, an intimate space where feeling exists without explanation. The minimal composition emphasizes stillness and sensitivity, inviting viewers to connect with their own moments of silence and emotional rest.



This piece is ideal for collectors drawn to subtle, introspective contemporary portraiture and emotionally resonant fine art.

Shipping, trial and returns
  • Free, fully insured shipping. Delivery takes 3 to 7 business days in Canada and 5 to 10 in the USA. Every piece is professionally packed and insured door to door.
  • 14-day free trial. Live with the painting for 14 days. If it is not right for your space, return it for a full refund and we pay the return shipping.
  • Certificate of Authenticity. A signed certificate ships with the artwork, confirming it is a one-of-a-kind original.
  • Lifetime Trade-Back. Your taste can change. Trade this piece back at any time for store credit toward another original.
  • Ships from Vancouver, Canada. Packed by the gallery and tracked all the way to your door.

Technical details

Size
11.8 × 15.7 in
Medium
Colored Pencil on Artboard
Subject
Portrait Paintings
Style
Fine Art Paintings
Orientation
Vertical
Artist
Phaedra
Year
2025
Edition
Original, one of a kind
Authenticity
Certificate of Authenticity included
SKU
COLORED-PENCIL-PAINTING-01
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About this artwork

Artwork Statement

This artwork presents a tightly cropped, partial figure, rendered with a delicate touch on a stark white background. The subject appears to be a torso and limbs, contorted in a gesture that suggests either comfort or slight tension. The composition focuses on the interplay of an arm bent at the elbow, with a hand resting gently on a thigh, and the curve of a hip. The dominant colors are soft, muted reds and oranges, creating a warm, flesh-toned palette. These hues are applied with varying intensity, from deep, saturated tones defining muscle and shadow to almost translucent washes that hint at the form beneath. Subtle blue and purple undertones emerge in the lighter areas and contours, adding depth and a cool contrast. The mood is intimate and contemplative, inviting close observation of the human form's subtle nuances and the artist's restrained yet expressive mark-making.

Interior Design Use

This piece would bring a serene and sophisticated touch to a minimalist or contemporary interior. Ideal for a bedroom or a quiet study, its soft colors and intimate subject create a calming, reflective atmosphere, adding a subtle warmth without overwhelming the space.

Technical Details

  • Artist: Phaedra
  • Medium: Colored Pencil on Artboard
  • Size: 11.8 x 15.7 in (30 x 40 cm)
  • Year: 2025
  • Type: One-of-a-kind original
  • Certificate of Authenticity: Included

Questions about this painting

How big is Soft Refusal, and what size wall does it suit?
Soft Refusal by Phaedra measures 11.8 by 15.7 inches (30 by 40 cm), so it is portrait, taller than it is wide. VanArtHub suggests hanging it over a wall space or piece of furniture at least 18 inches wide, which keeps the painting at roughly two thirds of the width below it. Measure your wall before you order, and remember the 14-day trial covers you if the scale is not right in the room.
Is Soft Refusal an original painting or a print?
Soft Refusal is a one-of-a-kind original painted by Phaedra, colored pencil on artboard. VanArtHub sells originals only and does not sell prints or reproductions of this work, so once it is bought there is no second copy. A signed Certificate of Authenticity ships with the painting.
What is shown in Soft Refusal?
Partial figure drawing on white background. Features arm, hand, and thigh in a bent pose. Utilizes soft red, orange, blue, and purple hues. The subject is people. It was painted by Phaedra and is titled Soft Refusal.
What colours are in Soft Refusal?
The dominant colour in Soft Refusal by Phaedra is beige. The style is figurative, contemporary art. If you are matching a room, work from the wall colour and the largest piece of furniture rather than from small accessories, and use the 14-day trial to see the painting in your own light before you commit.
Which room does Soft Refusal suit?
This piece would bring a serene and sophisticated touch to a minimalist or contemporary interior. Ideal for a bedroom or a quiet study, its soft colors and intimate subject create a calming, reflective atmosphere, adding a subtle warmth without overwhelming the space. Soft Refusal was painted by Phaedra.
Who painted Soft Refusal?
Soft Refusal was painted by Phaedra, an artist represented by VanArtHub, a gallery based in Vancouver, Canada. You can see the rest of Phaedra's available and past work at https://vanarthub.com/pages/phaedra.
When was Soft Refusal painted?
Soft Refusal by Phaedra was painted in 2025, colored pencil on artboard. It is a recent original rather than a reissue or a later copy.
How much does Soft Refusal cost, and what is included in the price?
Soft Refusal by Phaedra is $723.00 CAD at VanArtHub. That price includes free fully insured shipping to Canada and the USA, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and the 14-day trial. There is no framing charge, no delivery charge, and no buyer's premium on top.
Can I return Soft Refusal if it does not suit my wall?
Yes. Every painting VanArtHub sells, including Soft Refusal by Phaedra, comes with a 14-day trial. Hang it at home, and if it is not right, return it within 14 days for a full refund. VanArtHub pays the return shipping, so trying the piece costs you nothing.
How long does shipping take for Soft Refusal, and does it cost extra?
Shipping is free and fully insured. Soft Refusal ships from VanArtHub in Vancouver, Canada, and delivery takes 3 to 7 business days within Canada and 5 to 10 business days to the USA. The painting is professionally packed and tracked door to door, and it is insured for its full value the whole way.
Is Soft Refusal still available?
Yes, Soft Refusal by Phaedra is available to buy at VanArtHub as of today. It is a one-of-a-kind original, so there is only one of it and it is gone once it sells.
What if my taste changes after buying Soft Refusal?
VanArtHub offers a Lifetime Trade-Back. You can trade Soft Refusal back to the gallery at any time, with no deadline, and put the credit toward a different original. Because every piece is one of a kind, the trade-back is what lets a collection change over the years without a loss.

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