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To create an effective still-life painting, find the overall geometric shape in the composition—a triangle, diamond, or a square—and let it dominate the painting, even after you zero in on particular objects or details.
Set up a still life. If all of the objects are standing, place one horizontally, and then make a drawing of structural lines in the still life. Find the axis of each object—that is, the line that cuts through the center. When you have finished the sketch, you should have lines in all directions, which leads the eye around the picture.
View a portrait demonstration by September 2007 American Artist feature artist Matthew Mitchell (2:14).
Read the feature article on Mitchell.
Chat about Mitchell's artwork on Artists' Forum.
Like this demonstration? Check out other art-instruction demonstrations and videos and the September 2007 issue of American Artist.
When painting still lifes, try contrasting the volume of real flowers with the flatness of fabric or wallpaper patterned with printed flowers.
When considering edges in your artwork, remember that hard edges come forward and soft ones recede.
As you’ve often heard, less is more. Look at the portrait drawings of Hans Holbein the Younger (ca. 1497-1543) and notice how he made three-dimensional images with just a few marks.
Enter American Artist's Self-Portrait Competition, and win valuable prizes!
Extended entry deadline: May 19, 2008
If you are chosen, your artwork will also be reproduced in the print edition of American Artist, on the magazine’s website, and in one of the magazine’s e-newsletters.
CLICK HERE to enter now!
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Watercolor Highlights - Spring 2008
