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I have a feeling that you are getting anxious to draw a "real" picture. Well, the time has come to release all your pent up creative energy and apply all your new knowledge by drawing a still life.
For this project you'll need an "office" pencil, an Eagle drafting pencil #314 (or it's equivalent), and a kneaded eraser. You can use any thin paper. I use an art pad. It has a very slight "tooth" or textured surface. The step-by-step demonstration in this project clearly illustrates how simple a still life is to draw. It's only a matter of taking things in their proper sequence and using common sense. I suggest you work in a scale larger than that of my step-by-step drawings as seen on the computer. In that way, it will be easier for you to construct and articulate the textural passages. Copying versus Drawing from Life: Rather than setting up your own, you can copy my still life following the four steps indicated. Copying can be advantageous, if it's judiciously done. Many old masters, and contemporary artists as well, copied the work of still older artists in order to analyze their solutions to various problems. On the other hand, there's no substitute for the challenge of drawing from the real thing; the strident highlight that must be subdued or the arranging of the folds in a piece of cloth. All these variables are within your control. You're the sole arbiter and judge. Your knowledge and judgment, which will develop with experience, will dictate your choice of subjects for drawing. |
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Composition and Construction:
Your still life can, like mine, consist of a coffee pot, a creamer, a cup and saucer, a napkin, and something on which to place them. The background you choose should enhance the elements that you've arranged. You can have your light coming from the upper left, as I've done. However, if its more fitting to the shape of your of your particular objects, you can use an upper right lighting angle. Regardless of the objects you select for your still life, begin by drawing their underlying geometric structure. Remember their proportions will depend on their relation to the horizon line. That is, draw your shapes with perspective, so that they'll have depth and volume and, therefore, reality. Laying Down Correct Tones: Once you've established the correct shape and proportions of your objects, you can begin to render their tonal values. Begin with an appropriate middle tone that corresponds to the object's local color. Then add the shadows. You can test your choice of tonal values on a piece of scrap paper. Then place this swatch of tone right next to the object you're about to draw. Too dark? Then do another swatch, this time applying less pressure. If the result is lighter than the local color you're transposing, apply more pressure. For variety and balance in the tonal scheme of my still life demonstration, I've used a medium gray for the napkin and pot, a light gray on the counter top, a dark gray on the creamer, and white for the cup. See you next time! |