Lesson : Still Life
Still Life
Still life is one of the principal genres of Western art, focusing on objects that are inanimate or no longer living. This includes both natural and man-made items such as flowers, fruit, vegetables, fish, game, and wine. Still life artworks can serve as a celebration of material pleasures like food and drink or as a reminder of life's fleeting nature and mortality.
Vermeulen, Jan: Vanitas still life Vanitas still life, oil on wood panel
Still life drawing became popular with European artists in the 1600s even though the works were considered inferior and unimportant compared to portraits. Still life drawing is accomplished by arranging items into a design on a table or other setting. Lighting is considered or placed to provide the depth of contrast defining the object's shapes. Artists use different substrates and media to create still life drawings. Common substrates include hard surface products and modern digital canvas as well.
Giorgio Morandi, Still Life,1946How do you create a still life?
A still life drawing is created by placing objects in a design setting that utilizes available light and contrasts in shapes in an eye pleasing manner. The artist sketches the basic shapes first and continues to fill in details and/or color until the desired outcome is achieved. The placement design may be random or organized to depict an event, emphasize a study in specific shapes, or send a message or statement.
Van Gogh, Sunflowers, Oil on canvas, 95 × 73 cm Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands