The principal distinction of the Mstera style is its greater liveliness, compositions developed on colored backgrounds rather than the black backgrounds of Palekh. Whitener is employed under almost all of the painting. The entire surface is treated as a color field. Traditionally, Mstera work has reflected two contrasting color tendencies: cold blue-grays and ochre yellow-cinnabar reds, the former conveying space and depth, the latter for flat and ornamental designs (see  article for more details).