Flowers are a popular subject.
The still life composition became an acceptable subject for artists to create and collectors to collect in the 17th Century when Dutch painters made them popular. Flowers and fruit are frequently the choice of subject matter, as well as glass, china and objects of art. Interesting compositions can be created from objects that have a personal connection, thus making a still life biographical.
Instructions
1. Gather items for the still life composition. Use simple colorful objects, especially if you are a beginning student. Arrange in an interesting manner. Take your time, stand back and evaluate your composition. Make sure the composition has a center of interest and is not too busy.
2. Position yourself so you can clearly see the still life from an interesting point of view. Observe the arrangement, noting the placement of objects. Decide which objects are the most important. Decide what will be emphasized and what will not.
3. Draw the outline of the objects you have decided to emphasize. Make sure the composition fits the paper you are working on, preferably filling it up.
4. Fill in the solid colors of the objects you have decided to emphasize. Make sure to press firmly when drawing with the oil pastel. Blend or smooth the fill color with your finger, blender stick, cotton swab or paper towel.
5. Fill in the space and shapes in the back ground. Draw lighter and blend with your blending object.
6. Add detail to the objects you want to emphasize by layering color in the solid shapes that correspond to shadow and high light. Use lighter shades of the object's color for high lights and darker shades of the color for shadow instead of black and white. Blend the shades. Add detail on top of the objects by observing the textures and lines that create detail. Draw them on top of layered shapes.
7. Fill in spaces and shapes in the background, but do not let them compete with the emphasized areas. Use softer or duller colors, and less detail.
