Still Life Compositions

[Biki]

I have this Still Life that I am itching to do - but I am having trouble with the composition.

Don't tell me to go to the Comp forum, coz I have been there/done that - and just got shot down in flames. Basically they tell me that " you cannot do that - it is too hard for you" - but hey - I am a rebel !! - so what I am asking is:

Can you guys point me to some really, really, really good still life artists where I can study their compositions.? ... especially artists that have several objects in the Comp.

thanks in advance - I thrust you

biki

[Bad Dobby]

Been there, done that? ... but, did you get the t-shirt? hahaha

The February issue of The Artist's Magazine has a special article on still lifes ... more focused on flowers. But they cover composition issues as well. One of the Artists that they have featured is Donald Clegg ... a watercolorist, but the composition issues crossover to all still lifes. He tends to have rather busy still lifes too. Have Fun!

http://www.donaldclegg.com/

Also, here are some tips as excerpted from last months issue:

" to make a interesting, unified compostion, make one object or group of objects dominant. Or arrange equally important objects into a small pattern that can be a focal point. Avoid opposing two isolated objects of similar size. A large, dominant shape is best balanced by a single, small shape. Avoid too much symmetry as well as indiscriminate clutter. There should always be an area or two where the eyes can rest." -- Gary Michael

Also ... from Butch Krieger
1. Humanize your work. Adding human imagery pulls interest
2. Use repetition. repeating shapes adds visual interest
3. Capture movement. ephemeral design or tension, like an egg on the verge of rolling off the edge of a surface
4. Make magic with details. to absorb viewers
5. Follow tradition. as usual consider the Masters (note: but of course make it your own)

For my own input ... I'd say focus on the flow of movement and watch the edges ... they should not "kiss" or perfectly line up or appear to attach to other objects (like the edge of an egg sharing the same edge with the plate that it sits on, etc.) ... use light/shadow creatively to add volume, space, movement, and drama. I think ... light, tension, pattern, movement, dominance, value and color harmony are critical in still lifes ... to breath life into inanimate objects.

Hope these excerpts, comments and Clegg's Website help.

BD

[dcorc]

Looking at the other thread http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159969
in order to see the composition you were proposing originally, I think you have at least a couple of problems there. Traditionally, still-lifes take an assemblage of objects you might expect to happen across grouped together - like fruit, or toys.

What you have here are a group of objects, each of which is highly symbolic for different cultural/religious traditions, and "expected" to be seen separately (each item is usually displayed alone as a centrepiece by the respective religions) - they then tend to stand together like a group of people at a bus-stop who dislike each other .

There's also the problem that viewers coming to the image start to second-guess whether (for example) the large size and high placement of the menorah, or the small size of the crucifix, are intended to be symbolic.

Now I realise that the effect and interpretation you are striving for are exactly opposite to that - but it illustrates why the composition is infelicitous; and that a harmonious composition here may prove tricky.

Dave

[Biki]

Bobby

Thank you - there is some very helpful info there - along with your fine humour.

Dave said:

There's also the problem that viewers coming to the image start to second-guess whether (for example) the large size and high placement of the menorah, or the small size of the crucifix, are intended to be symbolic.

Very good point. I had not thought of that.

I think I need to go back & look at my choice of props. I am finding that they are my biggest problem.
Maybe this won't be a still life after all. I may have to work from images instead.

Thanks for the excellent help guys.

[artbabe21]

Biki, I don't mean to second guess your experience, because I don't know what it is...but I have to agree with Arlene, sometimes even though we don't like it, we have to crawl before we can walk. Your idea is wonderful yet it may turn out too daunting and give you fits and you may not ever want to do another still life. Why not reduce the number to a few & paint that first then take it further? Best of luck with it...

[Biki]

Originally Posted by artbabe21

Biki, I don't mean to second guess your experience, because I don't know what it is...but I have to agree with Arlene, sometimes even though we don't like it, we have to crawl before we can walk. Your idea is wonderful yet it may turn out too daunting and give you fits and you may not ever want to do another still life. Why not reduce the number to a few & paint that first then take it further? Best of luck with it...

yes thanks Cathleen.

I am re-thinking it all into something I CAN do.
The thing is, that i do love to learn & I love to solve problems.
I am getting some ideas to bring that theme into a simpler composition using just a few props.
I love everyone's feedback. I listen & learn. I am interested to know when I am wrong.

( but just don't tell me to go paint an egg)

[artbabe21]

Originally Posted by Biki

( but just don't tell me to go paint an egg)

You notice I DIDN'T? I wouldn't want to...I have to really enjoy what I paint & so far I have not done a still life but I know you learn heaps from them! I'd like to do something simple with things that mean something to me!

[Biki]

Originally Posted by artbabe21

You notice I DIDN'T? I wouldn't want to...I have to really enjoy what I paint & so far I have not done a still life but I know you learn heaps from them! I'd like to do something simple with things that mean something to me!

I know you didn't sugggest the egg Cathleen, but Arlene keeps telling me to - LOL - it is OK, & kinda turning into a joke.

I know I keep venturing into projects that are out of my depth. But I have to go with what I am guided inwardly to do. Things that mean something to me also. I do keep putting some things off until i learn more, but they are still there in my mind/heart, and WC is guiding me towards them. I love that.

But if i limit myself to things that are relatively simple, I won't push my boundaries. At this point in my developement, it is all a lot of fun - no pressure - just pure joy.

So far I have done about 20 poor paintings. But I love them all. They are my babies - I created them. And I learned heaps by my mistakes. I even think I may be getting better.

[artbabe21]

Originally Posted by Biki

At this point in my developement, it is all a lot of fun - no pressure - just pure joy.

But I love them all. They are my babies - I created them. And I learned heaps by my mistakes. I even think I may be getting better.

I LOVE your courage & enthusiasm! They say strong DESIRE is better than talent! I sure hope so because that's what I have going for me!

[samby77]

Hi Biki, I read your post and looked at your idea and felt your pain. Its hard to see someones vision sometimes, but I think someone said simplify. The cross and candle holder seem to compete. I dont' know what you would be willing to leave out so I just cleaned it up a bit. The colors are very nice. Oh yes I roughed in candles for height.

[Eisenhower]

Originally Posted by Biki

I have this Still Life that I am itching to do - but I am having trouble with the composition.

Don't tell me to go to the Comp forum, coz I have been there/done that - and just got shot down in flames. Basically they tell me that " you cannot do that - it is too hard for you" - but hey - I am a rebel !! - so what I am asking is:

Can you guys point me to some really, really, really good still life artists where I can study their compositions.? ... especially artists that have several objects in the Comp.

thanks in advance - I thrust you

biki

Jackie Simmonds in the pastel forum has a good article on composition. These idea's given here were the ones I was also looking for when I originally asked the same question.

Kelly

[Biki]

Originally Posted by samby77

Hi Biki, I read your post and looked at your idea and felt your pain. Its hard to see someones vision sometimes, but I think someone said simplify. The cross and candle holder seem to compete. I dont' know what you would be willing to leave out so I just cleaned it up a bit. The colors are very nice. Oh yes I roughed in candles for height.

thanks Samby - but I have since totally changed it.
Needing all the symbols, but having it all too busy, I am just using the "books"
and the beads as the symbols.

Here is the latest setup. I would love some feedback. ( i think)
ha ha - i have spent so much time on this - i am going a little bonkers

Also thinking of maybe doing it in candle light - but that is another challenge altogether.

The books will read :
Kabbalah
Zend avista of Zarathustra
Bhagavad Gita
Dhammapada of Buddha
the holy Bible
the Koran

the "beads on one string" have the symbols.

[Eisenhower]

Originally Posted by Biki

thanks Samby - but I have since totally changed it.
Needing all the symbols, but having it all too busy, I am just using the "books"
and the beads as the symbols.

Here is the latest setup. I would love some feedback. ( i think)
ha ha - i have spent so much time on this - i am going a little bonkers

Also thinking of maybe doing it in candle light - but that is another challenge altogether.

The books will read :
Kabbalah
Zend avista of Zarathustra
Bhagavad Gita
Dhammapada of Buddha
the holy Bible
the Koran

the "beads on one string" have the symbols.

Biki,

Which Kabbalah books are you using? Zohar/Sepher Yetzirah/Torah?
I can't see the mala, where is it? Is it a rosary or a mala?

I like the theme of this one Unity.

Kelly

[Biki]

Originally Posted by Eisenhower

Biki,

Which Kabbalah books are you using? Zohar/Sepher Yetzirah/Torah?
I can't see the mala, where is it? Is it a rosary or a mala?

I like the theme of this one Unity.

Kelly

what i was looking for was the book that most represented the "word" of Abraham. (more so than Moses). I understood the Kabbalah to be the mystical arm of Judaism - the most ancient/original - did i get this right?

questions:

Do I have The Key in the sweet spot?
( the yellow ribbon & the lillies represent peace)

[Eisenhower]

Originally Posted by Biki

what i was looking for was the book that most represented the "word" of Abraham. (more so than Moses). I understood the Kabbalah to be the mystical arm of Judaism - the most ancient/original - did i get this right?

questions:

Do I have The Key in the sweet spot?
( the yellow ribbon & the lillies represent peace)

Biki,

From what I know of Jewish Mysticism and I did study with a master Kabbalist it is the most ancient original form of Judaism. I never studied a book called Kabbalah though since the Kabbalah is a glyph of states of consciousness and most of the sacred texts for Kabbalah are not called Kabbalah but the 3 I mentioned. The Zohar being the first - many orthodox Jews will also study this. The Sephir Yetzirah is what the mystics in that tradition study extensively. The Kabbalah in that it's made of up 'sephiroh' so the Sephir Yetzirah is the Book of Creation hense the most mystical I feel and have been taught. The Zohar, a lovely scripture as well although I referenced it instead of reading the whole thing. You could have a book called Kabbalah but it would be like a book saying "christianity" or "Sanatan Dharma" The main books that make Christianity is the Bible and scripture in Sanatan Dharma are many - Bhagavad Gita only being one. Others are Upanishads, Purana's, Tantra's, Veda's just to name a few.

I think what your doing is a great painting. It will be lovely. What is the Key in the sweet spot?

Also, if you chose to do the painting in candlelight which will give it the mystic feel according to the material, I think the vase should be a metal or a color that stands out more. Metal reflected in the candlelight would be beautiful. Maybe brass. The religions noted there are from the middle east and east so they use alot of brass and copper in their vases and religious articles.

Biki - what is the hand and bubbles?

Kelly