How To Set Up A Still Life For Drawing

Here's How:

1. Choose your location: light source is the key to a strong painting. A strong lamp or bright window is perfect.
2. If room lighting is diffuse, use a board to shade part of your subject.
3. Architectural features such as a window frame or door can add direction to a composition. A tone that contrasts with the subject is useful. Avoid cliche drapery.
4. A woodgrain table can look great, but a beginner might be better using a tablecloth - choose a plain one if you don't want any extra detail, or a broad check to add color and pattern.
5. Choose your objects: Beginners should avoid oddly shaped objects that might look 'wrong' even when you've got it 'right'. Machine-made objects demand an accurate rendering of form and perspective
6. For a traditional feel, choose homely fruit, veg and crockery, or find some old wares at a thrift store. Wine bottles are an old favourite.
7. Be a little daring - try a spare arrangement of simple stainless steel or gaudy plastic objects. Look at the colors designers use for a contemporary feel.
8. Arrange the group. When arranging, consider compositional elements, avoiding bland central postitioning and symmetry.
9. Avoid piling fruit in a bowl - let it spill from a bag, or be half-eaten on a plate.Give flowers a history - tucked in a hat, strewn in the gutter, or by a headstone.
10. View your arrangement through an empty slide frame (make one out of card) to assess the composition and consider its placement on the paper.

Tips:

1. If using natural light, take photos to refer to once the light starts to change.
2. Transparent and reflective objects, such as bottles and metal objects, can be challenging but are an excellent exercise in detailed observation.
3. Fruit is a great start, as the natural shapes are a little more forgiving, and give you interesting textures to work with.
4. Take photographs if using perishables, especially flowers, or where your work may be disturbed.

What You Need:

• paper
• graphite pencil
• lamp