Still Life or Observational Drawing

WHY DRAW STILL LIFES? A still life is a drawing or painting of inanimate objects - such as fruit, pottery and flowers. The artist has a chance to arrange these objects (unlike a landscape) in order to work out the composition of their artwork. In addition, they are a great way to practice and develop observational drawing techniques.

1. Find the Focal Point The focal point is what draws the viewer's eye into the painting. Place the main focal point, or the main subject of the painting on an intersection from the painting on an intersection from the Rule of thirds.

Make sure the other elements in the picture help lead the eye toward that point. You don't need anything too drastic to do this, it could be as simple as a repeated color, or moving the angle of another object to subtly point in the direction of the main focal point. Don't overdo it, or it'll look fake and strange. Subtle is key.

2. Fill the Frame Use a Viewfinder - Cut two "L" shapes out of paper or card stock, and create a rectangle that emulates the dimensions of your canvas. Hold it in front of your still life, close one eye, or squint. Bring the viewfinder closer to you and watch your still life enlarge in the view finder, or lengthen your arm and watch it get smaller. Move the view finder around and see what happens when you crop elements out of your picture plane. A viewfinder will help save time in the long run, helping to image what the still life will look like on your canvas.

3. Rule of Odds Odd numbers of objects work best - It is easier to make a more interesting composition using an odd number of objects.