"To be an artist is to believe in life."
Henry Moore
Still Life is the best subject in art for learning and teaching the skills of drawing and painting.
It teaches you how to look at objects and see them like an artist - with a perceptive awareness of their outline, shape, proportions, tone, color, texture, form and composition - all of which are completely necessary.
This step by step still life lesson will teach you the drawing techniques used to create the still life above which was done with a 2B pencil on cartridge paper.
It teaches you how to look at objects and see them like an artist - with a perceptive awareness of their outline, shape, proportions, tone, color, texture, form and composition - all of which are completely necessary.
This step by step still life lesson will teach you the drawing techniques used to create the still life above which was done with a 2B pencil on cartridge paper.
STEP 1: STARTING THE STILL LIFE DRAWING
TECHNIQUE In any still life, you should start to draw the objects as if they are transparent wire frame forms with visible lines of construction. This technique helps you to be fully aware of the shape of each individual form and its position in relation to the other forms. It is important to sketch the objects lightly as this makes it easier to change any mistakes and erase any lines of construction. NOTE This see-through drawing technique uses vertical and horizontal lines of construction to help you to draw convincing ellipses and to balance the symmetry of cylindrical forms. |
STEP 2: CREATING AN INTERESTING COMPOSITION
TECHNIQUE When composing a still life, try to introduce the qualities that make an interesting arrangement. You need to be aware of the abstract structure of your arrangement: its rhythms and contrasts of line, shape, tone, color, pattern, texture and form. NOTE A transparent wire frame approach to sketching the still life helps you to organize the composition of the group. It makes it easier to see the shape, position and proportions of each object in relation to its neighbours. |
STEP 3: ERASING THE LINES OF CONSTRUCTION
TECHNIQUE Once you are happy with the shape, proportion and composition of the still life, you can erase the lines of transparent construction. This will leave you with an accurate visible outline of each form and the confidence that all the objects are positioned correctly. You are now ready to work on the details of each object. |
STEP 4: ADDING THE DETAILS IN LINE
STEP 5: SHADING TECHNIQUE - 1
STEP 6: SHADING TECHNIQUE - 2
TECHNIQUE The second stage in building up the tone focuses on the spaces between and around the objects. NOTE The drawing of the light and shade between the objects must be treated with as much importance as the drawing of the objects themselves. The shadows cast beneath and around the objects add as much to the definition of their shapes as does the shading on their surfaces. Notice how the counter-change of tones between the objects and the spaces takes over from the use of line to define the forms of the still life. |
STEP 7: SHADING TECHNIQUE - 3
TECHNIQUE In the third stage of building up the tone, you focus back on the objects. This time you deepen their tone, increasing the contrast between the areas of dark and light. This will enhance the form of the objects and increase the impact of the image. NOTE The biggest problem at this stage is maintaining a balance of tones across the whole still life so that no object appears too dark or too light. You are searching for a unity of tone and form. |