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A bit of history:

A Still Life is a work of art, typically a drawing or painting, of a group of objects.
Objects do not move, hence the word 'still.’
In the past these objects tended to be flowers, fruit, and other kinds of food or dead animals - hence 'life.’ The French for still life is 'nature morte', meaning 'dead nature.’
In modern art a still life can mean any objects small enough to be put in front of you, usually on a table.

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A bit of history:

Examples of still lifes can be found as early as the Ancient Egyptian art period, through Greek and Roman art.
They gained popularity in the 1500’s, artists began including collections of items in the background of religious themed artwork.
By the 1700’s still lifes had become an art category of their own and artists strived to create realistic interpretations of still lifes.
Oil painting by Jan Van Eyck, 1442

Notice the still life set up on the desk.

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Vanitas Subjects

In the 1700’s the art subject, Vanitas, developed.
The idea behind this was based on the idea that we enjoy pleasures in life, jewelry, decorative items, and other materialistic things, but we cannot take these with us when we die.
Vanitas still lifes always include expensive items with a skull, hourglass, or other reminders of passing time or death.

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Modern Still Lifes

Up until the 19^th century still life paintings were regarded as a lesser subject matter than historic or religious artwork.
With the impressionism movement came a rise in the appreciation of still lifes.
Artists have continued to paint still lifes using different styles and materials.
Still lifes are still a very popular subject matter today.

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Modern still life artists to check out:

Audrey Flack: https://www.pinterest.com/whitneywpanetta/look-audrey-flack/

A photorealist painter that compiles ordinary objects in interesting arrangements.
She often places her objects on a mirror and includes the reflection.

Sari Shryack: https://www.pinterest.com/whitneywpanetta/look-sari-shryack/

Vibrant still lifes that incorporate modern objects.

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Examples of Still Life Drawings

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/avenefica/6070189084

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robert_Delaunay_Nature_morte_Portugaise_1915.jpg

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https://pixabay.com/en/photos/still%20life/

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Your assignment: I can create a still life drawing using shading techniques.

*Bring in one object from home to add to the still life

Consider something that represents you in some way.
Consider a personal or sentimental object.

Practice arranging 5 different objects until you create an interesting composition to draw (minor grade) .

Create 3 unique thumbnail sketches in your sketchbook of different possible compositions.
Decide on 1 final composition for your final sketch before you work on your final paper.

Take 1 reference photo of your artwork to submit to Ms. Munn (minor grade)
Working from life and the photograph (as needed) create a realistic Final drawing of the still life.

Use a full range of value to create contrast in your drawing.
Create the illusion of form in your objects using shading techniques and contrast.
Use blending techniques (circular, hatching, cross-hatching, stippling or reductive shading)

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Complete 5 different thumbnail Sketches (minor grade) in your sketchbook (of different viewpoints) for a minor grade and show Ms. Munn before you finalize your final composition for your Drawing Project (major grade).

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