Loftier school Art students are oftentimes required to produce still life drawings or paintings inside the confines of a busy classroom. Most Art Departments take cupboards crammed full of visually interesting objects that can be used to create still life arrangements. This article lists withal life ideas for teachers or students who are stuck or in need of inspiration. The drove includes tried and truthful favourites that have been used past Art teachers for generations, equally well every bit more unusual and contemporary still life topics.
What is a still life? Here is a definition provided by Wikipedia:
A work of art depicting generally inanimate subject field matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or human-made
While senior Art students are usually complimentary to come up with their own topic or theme (read our article how to come up upwardly with great subject matter for your Art project) many heart school or junior loftier schoolhouse students are required to work with objects and scenes that run across the following criteria:
Viewable first-hand
Visually interesting, with a range of different textures, reflections, surfaces and forms
Minor enough to ready upwardly and conform in the classroom (light, easily moveable)
Able to arranged in different means, creating original compositions then that multiple exciting works can be created
Durable enough to be handled safely by enthusiastic teenagers (without precipitous or dangerous parts, for instance)
Able to stored from lesson to lesson without eroding, decaying or breaking (this is not necessary if the still life can be drawn within a single lesson or photographed for completion at a later date)
Advisable for younger students to view (i.e. not offensive)
This articles includes slap-up piece of work by students as well equally famous notwithstanding life artists. It is a piece of work in progress, with many more ideas to exist added over fourth dimension!
50+ Still Life Cartoon Ideas
Popcorn, as in these original all the same life artworks by Po Yuan (left) and Betty Chen (correct), students of Elizabeth Jendek, Thai Chinese International School, Samutprakarn, Thailand:
Although there is a singled-out possibility that a number of all the same life items might mysteriously 'disappear' during the class of this lesson, popcorn provides an excellent opportunity for practising the application of tone. Completed in charcoal, these large works create a kind of semi-bathetic landscapes and crave careful attention to calorie-free and shadow.
Crumpled paper bags, such equally this work by 18 yr old creative person Raegan Koepsel:
Crunched and creased paper bags create dramatic shadows and provide an first-class opportunity to learn about tone. This is a smashing discipline to draw with charcoal on mid-tone grayness or brown paper. In this example, the paper bags have been twisted in unlike means and carefully contrasted with a background of corrugated cardboard.
Styrofoam cups, as inspired by this activity by the DC Sketchers:
This is an first-class drawing activeness to assist students understand how to stand for ellipses (the oval shape that is visible when a circumvolve is viewed from bending). The hollow truncated cones become surrounded by shadows and beautiful pockets of curving negative space, creating a superb still life drawing lesson. Photograph courtesy E City Art.
For more near drawing ellipses, please read eleven tips for improving your observational drawing.
Machinery and mechanical parts, such as old sewing machines, disassembled clocks, cogs/wheels and typewriters, inspired past this drawing from Parkway N High School, United States, taught past Art teacher and artist Grant Kniffen:
When the inner workings of mechanical items are exposed, there are ofttimes endless opportunities for art-making. In this observational drawing, the complex letter keys, crunched newspaper and detailed ink ribbon dissimilarity the smooth surfaces of the typewriter and tabletop.
Many high school Art projects inside New Zealand are based around the beach and coastline. Items such as rope, floats, hooks, anchors, driftwood and fishing nets provide an excellent subject matter for withal life works due to the diversity of shapes, forms, patterns and surface textures. The items are usually big and substantial enough that a still life arrangement in the centre of the room can be viewed easily by all students. These two works by American Pop artist, Roy Lichtenstein, 'Greatcoat Cod Still life' and 'Cape Cod Still Life (Written report)' show nets and rope entangled effectually an driftwood and shells. The bottom work is an oil and Magna (a brand of acrylic resin paint) completed in 1972, with a fatigued composition study higher up.
Fish, crustaceans and other seafood, such equally these high school withal life paintings from an IGCSE Art Exam by Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College:
Still life paintings of fish and other body of water creatures tin brand for an exciting lesson – particularly when the real items are slapped onto the center of tables in the Fine art room (it may be worth checking out where these can be stored in betwixt form – staff rooms may have space in the freezer)!
Science equipment, inspired past this pencil all the same life from a student of Grant Kniffen at Parkway Northward High School, United States:
Cartoon exercises such as this tin be a great way for making connections between other subject areas within the school. In this instance, it might be possible to mimic a scientific experiment that students are currently learning nearly. Note the stunning composition in this piece of work, with the combination of slightly curving textbook images and text providing an advisable groundwork to the detailed 3-dimensional microscope.
Wooden mannequins, as in these blackness and white even so life drawings by Class 10 and Form 11 students from Conway Loftier School, United states, taught by Carla Owen. Jeff (left), Dylan (centre) and Nathan (correct):
Wooden mannequins tin be groovy still life additions, posed every bit if the figure is interacting / responding to its environment. In this yet life drawing lesson, varied line weight has been used to create depth and create focal areas within the work.
For more line drawing examples, please read our comprehensive Line Drawing Guide for Art Students.
Armchairs, chairs or stools, as in this example by Daniel Eastward. Munoz-Vidal:
Art classes may merely have access to mundane stools. Sometimes, however, an Art teacher will acquire an sometime chair, sofa or carved wooden chair that tin can get a permanent improver to still life collection. In this well composed cartoon, chairs and tables take been positioned and then that their forms intersect and slice upwards the page.
Dolls, train sets and other toys, such as this observational drawing of a teddy behave completed as role of an AQA GCSE Art and Design projection educatee by Holly Reynolds from King Edward Half-dozen Camp Hill School For Girls:
However life paintings of toys are a popular choice amidst middle and loftier school Art students. Although there can exist risks with drawing cartoon-similar toys, or those with distorted proportions (it can be difficult for an examiner to tell whether the drawing is badly proportioned rather than the toy itself, for instance) items such as one-time and broken dolls, aboriginal teddy bears and intricate train sets brand fantabulous still life material. This A3 drawing by Holly was completed from kickoff-hand observation, in response to the topic 'Memories', using a range of graphite pencils (5H – 9B) and a putty eraser.
Bottles, vases, jugs and vessels (this topic was inspired by a Highcrest Academy Art Department Pinterest board), such as the famous Giorgio Morandi nevertheless life drawings, etchings and paintings:
Giorgio Morandi, a famous still life artist who died in 1964, is well known for his deceptively simple still life artworks, which repeat many familiar household items, such as vases, bowls and bottles. Morandi positions these with conscientious precision, with each object treated as if it were a sculptural entity: a formal exploration of infinite and grade. His paintings in particular have a subtle apply of tone. The 1928 etching higher up, titled "Grande natura morta con la lampada a destra", may inspire students to produce pen drawings that take a like cantankerous-hatching aesthetic.
Empty boxes, inspired by a drawing exercise completed past a student of Nicole Havekost:
Boxes provide a dandy contemporary still life objects. At first glance boxes seem simple to depict; they are comprised of primarily straight lines, apartment planes, with piddling particular; however, this job demands a practiced agreement of perspective and challenges students to really apply their eyes to observe the variation in tone. Previously unnoticed details begin to leap into vision: creases, text, peeling edges of cellotape. This activity could exist presented as a quick still life gesture drawing or a meticulous, detailed ascertainment of angles, planes, light and course.
Jewellery and treasure boxes, every bit in these notwithstanding life paintings by IGCSE Art and Design student, Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College:
This work was produced within several drawing lessons that asked students to produce still life paintings with nighttime backgrounds (such as the necklace shown on blackness acrylic paint) and piece of work over other prepared grounds (for example, the notwithstanding life on the left is completed using Carandache crayon upon watered downwardly acrylic). The jewellery boxes provide students with the opportunity to correspond 3-dimensional space, while the jewellery itself adds glistening, detailed focal areas within the work.
Preserved animals and other specimens in jars, such as these modern even so life artworks by Cindy Wright:
In addition to insects, Science Departments often have wonderful preserved brute specimens that make for great still life subjects. If these are unavailable, yous might wish to create your own dramatic interpretation, based on the even so life compositions above by Cindy Wright. These works strength us to run into the lifeless gaze of gutted fish coiled within a glass fish bowl.
Fruit and vegetables, inspired past Paul Cezanne's still life with apples:
Fruit and vegetables are inexpensive enough that big quantities tin be purchased for classroom use, assuasive students to organise the notwithstanding life arrangements themselves or in small groups. Dedicated students may bring more unusual items from home. Although a still life comprised of fresh food is unlikely to last longer than a week (less within rambunctious classrooms) vegetables such as garlic, potatoes, onions, gourds and pumpkins can exist kept for a much longer duration. There is also the opportunity to include wooden tables and other still life items in the background. These famous withal life paintings by Paul Cezanne are titled 'Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier' (which means Curtain, Jug and Fruit Bowl) and 'The Handbasket of Apples' (the lower artwork). Both however life paintings are completed using oil and canvass in the 1890s and judged past some to exist among the all-time still life paintings ever.
Vintage cameras, as in these drove of observational drawings by Twelvemonth 9 educatee Dougal Brunt from Takapuna Grammar Schoolhouse:
This practise introduces students to different mediums and provides experience rendering a range of dissimilar reflective, smooth and faintly textured man-made surfaces. It also provides great manner to spark other Visual Art interests and share cognition near early photographic techniques.
A glass of water, such as this instance by Hanna Asfour:
Although it is virtually incommunicable for a high school form to get to the end of a water-based lesson without somebody spilling something, this exercise tin can exist a stunning and challenging job that really helps conquer the fear of transparent surfaces head-on. With proficient lighting, this task allows students to render the glass, h2o and the sparkling tonal variations within the shadow. A chore of this nature can exist a not bad one-lesson activity, perhaps set equally 'test' or one-off consignment.
A jug and cup of tea, with inspiration from cubist nevertheless life paintings by Juan Gris:
After preparing the cartoon surface with a painted ground and glued downwardly paper (some of which may accept decorative patterns that mimic wood grain or a table material, for example), students may overlay fragments of observational drawings, from slightly distorted angles, with tone softly applied n the mode of Juan Gris. This constructed cubist slice was completed in 1914 using oil and mixed media and is titled 'Breakfast'.
To come across other background ideas, please read Painting on grounds: creative use of media for Painting students.
Hands, as inspired past this observational cartoon past Cath Riley:
Contemporary artist Cath Riley has produced a series of detailed, highly realistic graphite pencil drawings of easily, including many in which the manus is touching, squeezing or gripping human mankind. Hands are an accompaniment that students are able to set upward and begin cartoon immediately. Each can pose their paw in an original position and have this with them to depict from in whatever location. This makes hands an platonic subject for quick still life sketches.
Marbles, spheres and balls, inspired past Pedro Campos paintings:
Well known contemporary however life creative person Pedro Campos creates hyper realistic still life paintings, such equally the marble and golf brawl oil on canvas work, 'Campsite Creek', above. Drawing marbles and other spherical objects challenges students to focus all of their attention upon color, tone and surface; capturing glistening reflections and textural variations to heighten the illusion of reality.
Shells, as in these artworks from the students of Elizabeth Jendek (from left to right): Marisa Leong, Supanan Lee, Miri Morita, Warin (Pinky) Rungsakaolert and Po Yuan, completed while studying at Thai Chinese International School, Samutprakarn, Thailand:
In improver to provided a wealth of varied visually interesting forms, shells are durable enough to survive the free energy of a high schoolhouse Art classroom. In this stunning unit of work, students accept produced vibrant, high dissimilarity oil pastel artworks. These works were completed afterward formally analysing the piece of work of Georgia O'Keeffe, working starting time-manus from still life arrangements, mirrors to aid generate complex compositions.
Insects, such as these stippled pen drawings upon colored launder, completed by Grade xi students Emery (left) and Caleb (right) from Conway High School, U.s., under the management of experienced Art instructor, Carla Owen:
Drawing insects can be challenging, due to difficulty sourcing first-hand imagery. It is sometimes possible to purchase dried and preserved insects in display cases and to use a magnifying glass to make the chore of observing details easier (Science Departments oft have a set of these). The hitting examples in a higher place have been completed using blackness pen applied in dots (stippled) to a watercolor ground.
Potted plants, succulents and cacti, inspired by Laura Garcia Serventi'southward illustrations on Etsy:
With an appropriate selection of plants (ideally those that can survive long periods without attentive intendance) and interestingly shaped plant pots, this can form the ground of a great still life painting lesson plan. These works past Laura Garcia Serventi include a variety of contrasting found forms and flowers, with different subtle patterns, pots positioned on a dramatic tiled flooring.
Metallic taps, silverware and other highly reflective objects, as is illustrated in this video of how to draw a spoon by VamosART.
Many resource that demonstrate 'how to describe pace-past-pace' encourage students to draw past formula, rather than learning to see and record what is in front of them. This time lapse video is very helpful, still, as it provides good insight into how tone can be congenital up using calorie-free and dark pencils on mid-tone newspaper.
Origami or folded paper, inspired past this observational drawings by Sean Dooley, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Pattern:
Folding paper can create stunning shadows and a mesh of intriguing angular lines. This case is one that is included in our list of substitute fine art lessons, and can involve students first constructing origami, before producing observational drawings in a range of different media.
Please view our list of substitute Art lessons for more one-off cartoon lessons.
Bones and skeletons, every bit in this case by Yr 11 student Manisha Mistry, from ACG Strathallan College (please view her full IGCSE Art and Pattern Coursework projection):
Folding paper tin can create stunning shadows and a mesh of intriguing angular lines. This example is one that is included in our list of substitute fine art lessons, and can involve students first constructing origami, before producing observational drawings in a range of different media.
Complex interiors and window panes, as in this Henri Matisse still life:
Titled 'Still life after January Davidsz De Heem's 'La Desserte'' this painting is Matisse'due south estimation of a work past seventeenth-century Dutch painter Jan Davidsz de Heem. Drawing influences from cubism, Matisse contructs the scene using intersecting angular lines. In this exercise, the background may accept on equal importance with the central still life, with open windows / tabular array surfaces / surrounding items becoming a prominent role of the composition. This task may also go an 'inverted withal life', where the withal life arrangement is pushed into the foreground, with groundwork items helping to set the scene and tell a story.
Old shoes and sandals, as in these examples past Vincent van Gogh:
The traditional 'still life with sometime shoe' remains a pop choice among Fine art students. Shiny surfaces often contrast metal buckles, twisted laces and furled edges of leather. Shoe polish and brushes can also be a dandy addition. These van Gogh even so life paintings were completed using oil on canvas in the 1880s and are titled 'A pair of shoes' (top) and 'Three pairs of shoes' (bottom).
Fine art-making equipment, such as is this example by Textiles Art teacher Gayle Bicknell, which was prepared equally part of a lesson for her BTEC fine art class at Alton College, Hampshire, UK:
This topic lends itself to Jim Dine inspired charcoal all the same life drawings – working with a range of mixed media and textural backgrounds. This educational activity example by Gayle is a graphite drawing of a single pair of pair of scissors over a collaged background that has then been photographed and digitally manipulated.
Woodworking tools, as inspired by this teaching exercise by Jaime Brett Treadwell, creative person and full-time Professor who teaches foundation courses for all AFA programs offered at Delaware Canton Community College including Studio Arts, Graphic Design, and Photography:
In this chore, students are encouraged to set tools upon a sheet of white paper, with a calorie-free source (such as an inexpensive table lamp) shining upon from an angle that creates interesting shadows. Students apply a viewfinder to select a limerick from the organization, considering the relationship between positive and negative spaces. The image is created using a range of experimental techniques, such as erasing dorsum areas, rubbing the paper with napkins then on. Visually pleasing tools that are scarred and dilapidated with utilize can often be sourced at low cost from second hand shops (recollect it is best to avoid those that may cause inadvertent injury). Every bit with above, woodworking tools are a nifty subject area matter to utilize while studying the work of Jim Dine.
There are also great ideas for tools in this great Highcrest Art Department Pinterest board.
Weaving, as in this example by Year 11 IGCSE Art student Manisha Mistry, from ACG Strathallan College:
In this nevertheless life lesson students were required to research traditional flax weaving methods and make their own experimental weaving. They then created observational drawings from these and photocopied the weaving for subsequent tasks. Weaving drawings offer the opportunity for students to practise blending colors in a wide range of dissimilar mediums.
Musical instruments, every bit in this detail from a Pieter Claesz vanitas still life:
High school Music Departments are sometimes willing to lend instruments that tin exist used in still life displays; with instruments overlapping in order to create interesting shadows, as in the detail of the oil painting above by Pieter Claesz. This work is titled 'Vanitas Nonetheless Life with the Spinario' and was painted in 1628.
Yous may also exist interested in viewing this 100% As Coursework projection based upon an abstraction of instrument still life past Yr 12 Every bit Fine art and Design student Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College.
Sometime books, such every bit this case of a Dutch withal life with books completed in 1628 (artist unknown):
Beautiful sometime books can often be purchased from 2nd-hand shops. School English, Geography, Science and History Departments also may have great onetime textbooks that have been discarded by by students or are no longer used. Many of these may take educatee graphite, dates or other annotation in them that tin provide welcome variety and visual interest in still life drawings and paintings of books.
String, sticks and stones, inspired by a teaching practice designed by Andrew Strachan (now instruction at ACG Senior Higher).
In this activity, students are presented with a drove of sticks, string and stones, and asked to create a sculpture by tying together the sticks and hanging a stone from this using the string. Observational drawings are then created of this, with the tension of the thin, taut string contrasting the textured wood and stone.
All the same life with flowers, inspired by these Vincent van Gogh sunflowers:
A drawing of flowers tin can become cliché, 'pretty' or uninspiring (adding to the countless formulaic roses, hibiscus or lily flower drawings that fill the earth). Extreme intendance should be taken to guide students away from 'rote' or 'formulaic' drawing, where the flower is drawn from memory or step-past-footstep according to some predetermined blueprint, without first-hand observation of form or tone. You lot might cull uncommon flowers, or those that are damaged, dried or rust-covered, for instance. Rather than in a bloom pot or vase, the flowers might exist scattered upon the ground, as in 'Four cut sunflowers' by van Gogh above. Information technology is likewise worth noting that flower notwithstanding life drawings and paintings tin can too be a hit with family members, with many parents enthusiastically displaying blossom drawings (much more so that with some of the other still life suggestions on this folio)!
Lamps, lanterns and calorie-free bulbs, equally in this charcoal drawing by Akrawczyk:
In addition to transparency and curving reflective surfaces, these still life objects often accept thin wires and/or ability cords – and often emit low-cal themselves – making them an extra challenging and exciting object to describe.
Collections of pop gimmicky foodstuffs – bright packages and centre catching labels – can be used to create stunning compositions, as in this Tom Wesselmann nevertheless life. Many of these 'pop objects' have the do good that they are packaged and long-lasting, able to be stored for some time in an Art room closet.
A chaotic desk-bound, inspired past this Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin still life:
Although Art students are oftentimes masters of the cluttered desk-bound syndrome, this task can be prepare within a classroom with more purpose, so that the selected objects are part of a narrative, whereby the limerick conveys a particular backstory and meaning. In this Chardin notwithstanding life, titled 'The Attributes of the Arts and the Rewards Which Are Accorded Them', completed using oil on canvass, objects have been selected to represent various creative disciplines – painting, cartoon, architecture and sculpture – and are arranged alongside a ribbon with a cross, the highest award an artist in this region and fourth dimension could apparently receive. The work was completed using oil on canvass in 1766.
A busy pinboard, as in this still life painting past Jean-François de Le Motte:
Still life arrangements can be easily pinned to classroom pinboards. This painting, completed in 1670, includes a painting within a painting, a letter of the alphabet to the creative person, a printed pamphlet and an accounting booklet.
Eggs, as in this AP Studio Art summertime consignment set by teacher Billy Hicks:
Students throughout the ages have voiced their frustration when they are gear up the task of applying tone to drawings of eggs, however almost all encounter the value of the practise when the work is consummate. This still life action involves a contrast of textures, with the smooth eggs resting on textured cloth or crumpled paper towel to create a visually pleasing composition. Another variation involves drawing open up egg shells, with light falling across the concave and convex surfaces.
Rubbish / litter / discarded remains, equally in this drawing by Brittany Lee, Twelvemonth x Fine art student at ACG Parnell College:
Samples of litter and other remains, such as orangish peelings, banana skins and apple cores tin can brand excellent still life subjects. This work was completed using black Indian and water on moisture-strength cartridge newspaper. It was completed within ane hour.
This drawing lesson too featured in our list of ideas for substitute Art teachers.
Seedpods, as inspired by this observational cartoon past IGCSE Art and Design student, Claire Mitchell, ACG Strathallan College (you may also like to view this Highcrest Academy Fine art Pinterest board for inspiration):
Seedpods come in many intriguing organic shapes and forms. They typically concluding for a long time and are readily bachelor – often in the schoolhouse yard itself.
Shirts, dresses and drapery, as in these examples by the students of Kristy Patterson, Guymon Loftier School:
Shirts, dresses and other wearable items, which might include coat hangers, zips, buttons, belts, buckles, items of adornment, as well as traditional costumes, offering the opportunity to draw draped folded fabric alongside more circuitous accessories, pleats, seams and fabric details. In the exercise above, students produce realistic drawings of a personal item of clothing that are pinned to a display panel (the panel can be shifted aside and placed in storage until the adjacent class).
Random objects hanging from string, as in these graphite drawings by the students of Jaime Brett Treadwell, artist and full-fourth dimension Professor who teaches foundation courses for all AFA programs offered at Delaware Canton Customs College including Studio Arts, Graphic Design, and Photography:
A withal life composition that is created from hanging objects has the presence of the string to create tension and linear elements, alongside unexpected shadows, angles and alignment of objects. It can besides result in dramatic contemporary imagery, every bit students hang and explore unusual subject matter.
You may also wish to view this loftier school art projection by Nikau Hindin, which contains images derived from decaying fruit and vegetables hanging on string.
Cutlery and kitchen utensils, as in this warm-up drawing do by the students of artist and teacher Julie Douglas:
This exercise is one of the well-nigh challenging on this listing. The still life drawing combines reflective surface, convex and concave forms with modest details and knotted cord.
This work was earlier featured in How to Create an first-class Observational Drawing: 11 Tips for High School Art Students.
Did yous bask this list? Please share it with other Art teachers and students that you know!
Amiria has been an Art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the course pattern and assessment of student work in two loftier-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.
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