Using modified contour line drawing to create a still life drawing

A Still Life Is…. A Painting or drawing of objects that cannot move Bottles, bowls, fruit, flowers and cloth are frequently used by artists and set up on a table top in the studio Pictures can be simple or quite complex

Composition The formal properties of an artwork tell how the art elements are organized using the principles of design(pattern, balance, movement, rhythm, unity, variety, emphasis, contrast and proportion.) The following questions can help discover how a still life composition is organized by the artist. What is the center of interest? How does the eye move to it in the work? How did the artist establish the center of interest? Does the work have a sense of rhythm? Why? Is the composition vertical or horizontal? How is balance achieved? How is unity achieved? What shapes are repeated?

Analyze the composition Look at the next still life examples Try to find the: over all shape the objects seem to form the center of interest way the eye moves through the work Make thumbnail sketches of three different types of arrangements you found in the textbook or print collection in your sketch book.

Analyze the composition Many artists choose to use a pyramid format to organize their composition

Center of Interest The center of interest is usually the first thing you notice in a picture. This focal point is often highlighted by strong value or color contrast

Movement Artists use focal points to move the eye through a picture

Make a Sketch/Diagram of the Composition The diagram just needs to make sense to you it does not have to be an exactdrawing