Learn to draw by Tissa Hewavitarane

Still life pictures

Still life pictures are traditionally pictorial objects that develop your interest. It can be practised from the moment you start painting with watercolours. It is important for any beginner to have the interest to cover any topic so that the creative capabilities which suit the artist can be developed.

It is important that concepts relating to the technique needs practice to paint any object. The still life is one of the subjects which keeps the majority of artists busy.

To do a perfect still life the model has to be prepared with care and the possible composition techniques have to be thought before you start painting.

You may choose any object as a simple subject. You can start painting a pot of flowers.

The flowers can be diverse in many colours. The vase is also important, as the picture depends to a great extent on the objects that make the composition. When preparing a still life picture, some key points have to be borne in mind, like for example the composition of the model that will be used as a reference.

The grouping of elements of a still life picture is important whenever two or more objects are in use. Grouping the objects correctly before painting needs attention and a sense of artistic creativity. When the objects are placed neatly for a still life picture you have to observe the whole picture correctly when placed in position.

Types

It is possible to find inspiration for a still life picture in any place. It is just a question of looking around and realising that the majority of objects that surround us can be subjects.

Until now we have seen numerous still life pictures with classic elements such as apples, bottles, flowers and any furniture, but you do not have to draw each and everything you come across.

Even the most everyday objects can be used as a model worthy of being painted.

Flowers are natural subjects for colour intensity. A simple watercolour painting related to this lesson is produced here. You may use a light grain drawing paper either Kent or Coarse grain paper 250 grams called medium grain paper. Very thin paper should be avoided, since it wrinkles easily. Brushes to be used must be soft hair Nos. 1,2,6 and 8 Sable hair. First wet the brush in clean water and rinse it, before starting to paint.