The Shoebox Maquette: Still Life?? An Observational Drawing Project

Still Life 101 What is a still life? Generally speaking, still life drawings and paintings study inanimate objects. More specifically it is also the study of: Objects of humanity and the metaphors, symbolism and messages to be found therein Spatial relationships among objects with the creation of both positive and negative space The study of light and colour The study of texture The study of perspective and proportion

History of Still Life: Vanitas Latin for ‘emptiness’ or ‘worthlessness’ Comprised of objects that stress the shortness of life. Skulls, candles, flowers, etc.

Pieter Claesz, c. 1661 Dutch

Juan van der Hamen y Leon 1596-1631 Spain

WHY DRAW STILL LIFES? From a purely visual point of view, the artist has a chance to arrange these objects (unlike a landscape) in order to work out the composition of their artwork. In addition, they are a great way to practice and develop observational drawing techniques. But perhaps some of the best reasons to create a still life drawing or painting lies in the idea of making the ordinary stand out as something special and meaningful.

A Still Life can be REALISTIC

A Still Life can be ABSTRACT

Pablo Picasso Still Life with a Fan 1881-1973

Picasso, Still Life with Mandolin and Guitar, 1924

Picasso, Still Life with Skull, Leeks, and Pitcher, 1945

Even today, artists are still fascinated by how ordinary objects we see everyday have the potential for beauty and awe. They may still choose to go with a more realistic style or they may be more expressive/abstract. Janet Fish, Windex Bottles, 1972

Artists continue to be challenged by light, texture and colour.

Super- realism Audrey Flack, Marilyn, 1967 Audrey Flack (b. 1931) Flack works in a Photorealistic way to create the 1970's version of the still life, in which the objects depicted have symbolic meaning. Frequently her works have a feminist viewpoint. Audrey Flack, Marilyn, 1967 Flack, Marilyn, 1967

The Queen on the chessboard = most powerful piece, but it still ranks lower than the king, who is much less powerful. The Queen of hearts = a reference to the passion for gambling shared by her family members, who are invoked here by the locket photos of herself and her mother, who bring up the theme of youth and old age. The watch, the makeup, the pieces of fruit, and the rose are like vanitas symbols alluding to the passing of time and the brevity of beauty and life itself. The modern “vanitas” still life can be very personal and relate to family histories, culture, and even bigger topics like aging, feminism, race, etc. Flack, Audrey, Queen, 1975-76 Flack, Queen, 1975-76

What kinds of “everyday” objects that have some kind of personal meaning for you do you think are interesting enough to include in a still life composition? Which ones might have symbolic meaning? Which might be interesting to explore colour, texture, light, spatial relationships, etc.?

“Shoebox Maquette – Still Life?” Project Criteria: Your challenge for the “Shoebox Maquette – Still Life?” Project Criteria: Set up a small still-life of objects (3-6) that have some kind of personal meaning to you. Try to find objects that might go overlooked (mundane/boring) as you will be giving them new life in your drawing of them. You will want to find a way to adhere these objects to the small shoebox (ex. Masking tape). Set up these objects in a composition that plays with asymmetry, overlapping, and that creates overall visual interest. Decide on your light source (lamp) direction. Think of how the light will affect colour and texture AND create a little drama. Several small sketches noting tonal variations in highlights/shadows will be completed in your sketchbook. Decide on the style and drawing media you will be working with for your final piece. (ex. Realism? Abstract? Graphite pencil? Coloured pencil? Pastels? Combination of drawing processes? Use of Collage?) RESEARCH – use PINTEREST to help you find artists who work with still life as a subject and look for the different ways they use different styles and/or media in their work! RECORD YOUR PROCESS – at least twice in the project, make sure you stop and take photos of your work. You will be creating two short blog reflections on your Weebly blogs for this project. DRAWING MEDIA for this project includes the use of: graphite, charcoal, pastels, felt markers, coloured pencils, inks. Surface Type and Size = no smaller than 12x14 and no bigger than 16x20. You may use drawing board, stonehenge paper, tag paper, charcoal/pastel paper, etc.

Starting your STILL LIFE: 1 - Create a TONAL or VALUE SCALE 10 Steps - start with white and end with black… OR if using colour, start with the lightest tint and move to the darkest shade of that colour. should see an even “jump” in value from one step to the next. you will use this to create a Full-range of value in your still life

Tips for Getting the Best Still Life Pretend you have never seen the object before; look at it with “new” eyes Draw realistically, not symbolically Think about shading not just drawing

How Do I Shade?

Ways to Create Value (SHADING)

Adding Value:

Start your drawing… LIGHTLY sketch out the main shapes of the objects (use vine charcoal, a drawing stump or light pencil (ex: HB). Work out the kinks now… get the perspective, composition and proportions right…