Still Life Painting
Assignment
Your assignment is to create a personal portrait portrayed through still life objects using acrylic paint. Objects can hold meaning and sentimental value to individuals. Create an arrangement of still life objects that represent you or a person close to you.
Objectives:
I can compose a dynamic composition using still life objects.
I can render transparent forms.
I can render reflective surfaces.
I can stretch a canvas.
I can use acrylic paint to paint realistic objects.
Examples
Creating Composition
1. Selecting Objects
Still life refers to subjects that do not move and are not alive. These would include belongings but not your dog for example.
Who will this still life represent? A self portrait or a collection of objects that represent a close family member or friend? What kinds of things are important to that person?
Think of spaces that are important you that individual as part of the still life or a good place to find objects. For example, your bedroom or locker, your grandpa's work shop etc.
2. Arrangement
The word composition means “the way something is put together.” In painting, composition refers more specifically to pictorial structure, including the arrangement of colors and values in an image and the path followed by the movement of the viewer’s eye.
Things to consider with arrangement:
1. Rhythm- alternating size or shape of objects can create rhythm in your composition.
2. Movement- cropping your composition so that objects are at angles can create more movement in what is otherwise a very still subject. Form connections that move the viewers eye around the composition.
3. Space
Overlap
This is most successful with objects with a variety of heights
Zoomed out
Zoomed In
5. Vantage point
High vantage point
Low vantage point
4. Lighting
It is important to take a reference photo that has contrast and value so that your still life objects don't look flat. Lighting can also create a much more interesting composition. Maybe consider using additional lighting on your still life.
Things to consider with lighting:
1. Clarity- can you seen everything okay?
2. Contrast- is there a range of lights and darks?
3. Reflections- having reflections can make your composition more interesting
4. Shadows- shapes of shadows can have a cool effect on your composition.
In Class Practice
Still Life Composition Planning - 20 points
Directions:
1. Using the still life wall in the classroom arrange a dynamic still life to reflect each one of these composition strategies.
2. Using a camera or phone, photograph the still life to use as a reference.
3. Do a thumbnail sketch of each composition in the space provided.
Example:
still life composition example.pdfDrawing Transparent Objects in Dramatic Lighting - 20 points
Directions:
1. Set up a still life that has a glass of water and dramatic lighting.
2. Use grey toned paper.
3. Use pencil to sketch the overall shapes of the glass and values.
4. Block in general lights and darks.
5. Develop a wider range of value and detail.
Transparent Object Video.wmv
Examples:
Reflective Objects with Colored Pencil- 20 points
Directions:
In your sketchbook or on toned paper (your choice) create a still life drawing of at least two objects. One object needs to be reflective and the other object should be seen in the reflection. You may use more than two.
Sketch the objects including the shapes of the reflection.
Use colored pencil to color in the image including the reflection.
Find bright highlights (areas of reflected light) and blocks of color from surrounding reflections.
Reflective Object Demo .mp4Examples:
Oil Painting Practice
Small Fruit Painting on Scrap Cardboard- 30 Points
Requirements:
Set up a simple still life or find a reference image.
Still life should have a range of values so that you can practice modeling forms with acrylic paint.
If there is something in particular that you would like to practice before going into your final painting (ex. people's faces) I can be flexible with the subject.
Gesso the cardboard piece to prime it before painting.
Practice painting values to make your fruits appear 3-D.
Practice Painting Pointers:
Stages of practice painting:
1. Block in values with one darker tone. Use water to thin out medium values.
2. Add local color. This is the "general" color in the area without specific color changes.
3. Blend in shadows, highlights, and fine detail. Paint the surrounding space.
Getting to Know Your Oil Painting Materials
OilPaintMaterials.wmvGlass paint pallet (in this case peelable plastic pallet)
Great for oil paints, can scrape off dried color with razor.
Pallet Scraper
This has a razor side and a plastic side. Use this to remove paint from your pallet.
Rags
You really should not throw away paper towel with oil paints and mediums on it- they can be flammable. Use rags to clean brush and pallet and dispose of in bucket.
Brushes
Many types of brushes will work, however, stiffer natural fiber brushes with long stems work best (in my opinion).
Ivory Bar Soap
Used to clean your brushes.
7. Pallet Knife
Great for mixing oil paints.
8. Linseed Oil
Linseed oil is a painting medium that when mixed with the paint increases flow and slows drying time.
9. Natural Turpenoid
Turpentine or turpeniod is a solvent and will thin and dissolve the oil paints. Use turpeniod to clean brushes or mix with linseed oil and paint for a thinner wash affect.
*Store linseed oil and turpeniod in glass containers with lids
Washing Your Oil Painting Brushes:
CleaningOilBrushes.MOVSummative Assessment
Prepare Your Reference Photo
Directions:
1. Bring image into Pixlr. E
2. Crop out extra space from your photo
4. Adjust brightness and contrast- try to create a range of values from light to dark
Adjust --> Brightness & Contrast
3. Save image to your computer
Apply a Digital Grid to Reference Photo
Directions:
1. Using the link provided, apply a digital grid to your edited reference photo
2. Make the grid large- aim for 5-6 boxes
3. Download the file to your computer and add it to the "Want a photo printed in color?" document so I can print it for you.
3. Upload a picture of your reference photo with a grid to the assignment and turn in.
Stretching Your Canvas- 10 points
Directions:
Choose your frame size. Multiply the number of boxes in your grid image by 2 or 3 to help you select a size that is proportional to your reference photo.
Cut a piece of canvas to be larger than the size of the frame.
Use the staple gun and the canvas stretcher to pull the canvas and secure around the frame.
Start from the center of the longest side and rotate.
Work from the center towards the corners.
StretchingCanvas.MOV
