How to compose a still life grouping
Composing a still life can feel like tricky business. It's tough to know what looks best. In this class I'm going to walk you through 3 types of still life set ups so that you'll be able to arrange objects with confidence. The bonus is, these theories can also be used when arranging decorative groupings around your home. Think in terms of tablescapes, shelves and arranging accessories.
Our first step is to create your still life grouping.
Creating your grouping and collecting your items can be a fun and very personal experience. Look for things that make you smile. Remember this is getting turned into artwork that you may want to display or give with special meanings. Don't rush through this part of the exercise but instead try collecting things that relate and will work well together. Some ideas are holiday items, things with textures, linens, foods, knick-knacks and kitchen supplies. Your still life compositions can be anything from everyday household items to bits of family treasures (antique mirrors or pins). It may help to find common colors or themes. In the example to the right, students created a holiday themed grouping. Bring in the garden My most favorite still life compositions are simple and soothing to look at. You'll find that adding natural, outdoor items can make for an exquisite scene. Fresh cut flowers, ferns or moss can add life to your composition. |
* Click on the videos to see them enlarged
|
There are 3 main ways to organize your still lifes. The "L" shape, the "A" and the "U". Basically these are dependent on where you place the tallest items and how they relate to the lower/smaller elements.
Experiment with trying the 3 different designs with your items. |
Use extra matte board or scraps to check the composition of your items and how they will sit on your paper.
Focal Point ( Emphasis or Dominance )
This is perhaps the most important principle. This is where the viewers eye goes first! It’s best to always look for pre-existing emphasis within your own subject matter—and when it’s there, exaggerate it and make sure to use it. If no dominant focal point naturally exists, then allow one element to be the focal point either by manipulating the value in your piece, the color, the contrast, the level of detail or positioning. Remember this tip: have a Focal point and have it be interesting! |
|
Overlap
Overlapping your items slightly creates interesting shapes and layers. It ties your elements into the rest of the grouping and creates a relationship between the items if you will. |
|
Isolate
Isolating an object from a group immediately gives it attention above the rest of the group. Oblique items Give your items a twist. The composition will be much more pleasing if all of the items are not standing in a row like ducklings in a pond. |
|
Balance
This does not mean symmetry. It means balancing negative and positive space, lights and dark etc. so that the eye is comfortable. It is making sure that the arrangement is not too heavily weighted visually on one side or the other. If you are not sure, then squint at the arrangement and it will help you see a bit more easily. |
|
Additional tips for painting your still life:
- Limiting your palette to just four colors and using each of these colors in almost each element will give your painting a comfortable feeling of continuity.
- Use warm aggressive colors in the foreground and cool recessive colors in the background or on background objects.
- Start lightly with the paint and gradually layer and build it up using repeated washes. This is the under-painting and will serve as a guide.
- For now, let's keep your background white.
- To give the utmost force and strength to your work, some parts should be as light as possible and some as dark as possible in your value scales. These two extremes will then blend and harmonize with the other values.
Don't forget to add a shadow underneath and maybe even lightly behind your objects. It will add weight to them and ground them to what they are sitting on.
For Your Homework
Compose and paint a simple small still life on an 8X10" paper. Remember to start light and gradually darken up areas that you want to have more impact and focal point. Take breaks and let each layer dry, glazing and layering on more paint after breaks as you go.
I can't wait to see how they turn out on our Facebook Group Forum!
I can't wait to see how they turn out on our Facebook Group Forum!