Week 10: Still Life Drawing - Introduction
IN THIS LESSON
Objective: In this lesson, you will learn how to set up and draw simple still life compositions. These exercises will help you develop your observational skills, understand composition principles, and practice rendering light and shadow.
Materials Needed:
Drawing paper (preferably A4 size or larger)
Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
Erasers
Rulers
A simple desk lamp or another light source
A selection of basic objects (e.g., fruit, bottles, vases, cups)
A plain or lightly textured surface and background
Lesson Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Introduction (10 minutes):
Discussion: Let’s start with a brief discussion on the importance of still life drawing.
Explain how still life drawing improves observational skills and understanding of light, shadow, and composition.
Show examples of simple still life drawings and discuss what makes them effective.
Objective: Here’s what we’ll aim to achieve today.
Develop your ability to set up and draw simple still life compositions.
Practice creating balanced compositions and rendering light and shadow accurately.
Warm-Up Exercise (10 minutes):
Contour Drawing: Grab your paper and pencils.
Choose a single object from your still life setup.
Spend a few minutes drawing the contour (outline) of the object without lifting your pencil. Focus on capturing the shape and proportion accurately.
Main Activity (60 minutes):
Exercise 1: Setting Up the Still Life (10 minutes):
Setup: Arrange a simple still life composition using 2-3 objects. Use a plain or lightly textured surface and background.
Position the light source at an angle to create interesting shadows and highlights.
Composition: Ensure that the objects overlap slightly to create a sense of depth and that the arrangement is balanced and visually appealing.
Exercise 2: Blocking In Shapes (15 minutes):
Setup: Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the objects on your drawing paper using a graphite pencil (HB).
Focus on the proportions and placement of each object. Use the rule of thirds to help with the composition.
Goal: Establish the overall composition and ensure the objects are correctly proportioned and placed.
Exercise 3: Adding Details and Contours (15 minutes):
Drawing: Refine the shapes and add details to the objects using a slightly darker pencil (2B).
Pay attention to the contours and edges of each object. Use light guidelines to help with alignment and perspective.
Goal: Enhance the accuracy and detail of your drawing, creating a clear and defined outline of the still life.
Exercise 4: Shading and Rendering (20 minutes):
Shading: Begin shading the objects using a range of pencils (HB, 2B, 4B) to create light, mid-tones, and shadows.
Identify the light source and apply shading accordingly. Use blending techniques to create smooth transitions between light and dark areas.
Focus on capturing the textures and reflections on the objects.
Goal: Render the light and shadow accurately to create a three-dimensional effect.
Conclusion and Review (10 minutes):
Group Discussion:
Share your drawings and discuss what you learned from each exercise.
Talk about which aspects of setting up and drawing the still life you found most challenging and which you enjoyed the most.
Homework/Extension:
Practice setting up and drawing more complex still life compositions at home using the techniques learned today.
Experiment with different objects, lighting setups, and compositions to further develop your skills.
Assessment:
I’ll evaluate you based on your participation, effort, and your ability to set up and draw simple still life compositions.
I’ll provide feedback on your composition, proportion accuracy, and shading techniques.
Tips for Success:
Choose Simple Objects: Start with simple objects that have clear shapes and interesting textures.
Balanced Composition: Ensure your composition is balanced and the objects are well-placed.
Observe Light and Shadow: Pay close attention to how light interacts with the objects and creates shadows.
Use Light Guidelines: Use light pencil strokes to map out the basic shapes before adding details and shading.
Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the better you’ll understand composition and rendering techniques.
By focusing on these tips and regularly practicing drawing still life compositions, you'll develop the skills necessary to create visually engaging and realistic drawings. This foundational exercise will enhance your overall artistic abilities and observational skills.