Basics of Drawing

STILL LIFE DRAWING

What is Still life Drawing

• A still life (plural: still lifes) is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically
commonplace objects which are either natural (food, flowers, dead animals, plants, rocks, shells,
etc.) or man-made (drinking glasses, books, vases, jewelry, coins, pipes, etc.).

• How to Start a still life drawing

• 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
• 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.
• How to create a Composition
• 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 balances and contrasts of line, shape,
tone, color, pattern, texture and form.
• 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 neighbors.
• Once you choose your objects, the next step is to arrange them in a pleasing and harmonious way.
• Take your time to set them up, walk around your composition changing point of view. Often a different angle
changes dramatically the composition.
• Try to place objects so that some overlap, showing clearly what’s in front of what.
• Form connections that lead the eye around the composition.
• Change the arrangement of the objects looking for the most pleasing one.
• Take things out, add others in.
• Walk around and look for different angles, until you find one that satisfies you. Some artists like to use a plastic
or cardboard viewfinder to frame the composition, others like to take photos and then compare them on the
screen.
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• Erasing the lines of construction
• Once you are happy with the shape, proportion and composition of the still life, you can erase its lines of
construction. This will leave you with an accurate 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.
• Setting Up the Lighting in a Still Life
• Lighting in a still life set up is critical and can enhance or ruin a composition.

A single source of light, preferably coming from the side, creates a clear pattern of lights and darks that helps
define forms and relationships between objects.

The cast shadows are also very important in the arrangement as they help create a feeling of depth and three-
dimensional space.

You can set up near a window and use natural light, but that will change while you paint. An artificial light is more
controllable as far as angle and softness and has the great advantage of being invariable.

During setup, try different light solutions, you’ll be surprised how dramatically a different light can change the feel
of the same composition.
• Setting the Focal Point of a Still Life Painting
• When setting up your composition, one crucial decision that you need to make is “what is your
focal point?” Decide which object or area is the focus of the painting. There you should have the
highest dark/light contrast and the highest detail.
• As in every kind of painting, avoid having your focal point in the center of the canvas. A good way
to find the best focal point placement is the rule of thirds.
Technique
• Adding the details in line
• Now lightly sketch in the shapes of any shadows or reflections onto each object.
• The more care you take over the accuracy of these marks, the easier you will find the next stage of the drawing -
the shading of tones.

• Shading Stage 1
• In this step, some basic tones are lightly applied to each object to help build up its three dimensional form.

Shading Stage 2
• The second stage in building up the tone focuses on the spaces between and around the objects.
• 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 of their surfaces.
• Notice how the counter-change of tones between the objects and their surrounding spaces takes
over from the use of line to define their forms.
• Shading Stage 3
• 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 their impact.
• 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.
• Shading Stage 4
• Finally, you focus again on the spaces between the objects, deepening their tones and increasing
their contrast.
• You need to be careful in balancing the tonal values of the objects and the spaces between them to
ensure that you create a unified image.
• The Finished Still Life: The completed still life should work on two levels: as a realistic
representation of the group of objects and as a dynamic composition of visual elements,
harmonizing and contrasting the use of line, shape and tone.
 Organic still life
Inorganic still life