Still life paintings should incorporate a strong light source for drama.
Still lifes have been done throughout the history of art by masters such as Picasso with his painting "Still Life with Chair Caning" and Manet with his painting "Oysters." Still life art is defined as paintings made up of inanimate subject matter. This can include floral arrangements, toys, eating utensils, machinery parts, furniture, candle sticks and more. This segment of painting basically covers any subject that isn't alive and moving. The process is performed by observing composition and color harmony.
Instructions
1. These still life subjects have similar colors and varying textures.
Choose the objects to use as a visual reference for your still life. The objects should be a mixture of shapes, sizes and texture for visual interest. Try to choose items that are similar in color or tone for a harmonious painting.
2. Arrange the objects using the Rule of Thirds. Visually divide the area where your objects will be sitting into thirds vertically and horizontally. Make the most important object occupy the upper or lower edges of the divided area for the most visual interest.
3. Add strong, directional light for drama. A desk lamp set to the side of the arrangement will work well.
4. Draw the outline of your objects onto your canvas using a 1-inch brush and diluted burnt umber or sienna.
5. Fill in the outlines with blocks of color and add color to your background. Don't worry about shadows and details at this point.
6. Add detail to your objects using the biggest brush possible. The size will vary depending on your subject. Using a bigger brush keeps you from getting fussy with your brushstrokes so that you can simply capture the essence of your subject.
7. Finish the painting by adding shadows and highlights. Remember to pay close attention to your reference objects to get the proper darks and lights.
