How To Draw A Still Life

Still Life Composition Drawing for Beginners

Updated: 06 Sep 2022

Equally artists, nosotros similar to deliver a memorable experience for the observer.

In this tutorial, I will demonstrate how I plan and place my withal life compositions, and why.

I will start by explaining some important drawing terms so, show how to use them for composition.

Note: All drawings in the composition section are from life. While cartoon from images is great in many cases, cartoon from direct ascertainment gives u.s. the ability to change the scene to our liking or to our angle of sight.

Overlapping

Overlap means an object that covers function of another object.

Overlapping is a typical phenomenon when observing the natural world.

When cartoon flowers for example, petals (in nigh cases) should exist overlapping when trying to deliver a realistic consequence.

In improver, when one object covers role of some other object, we assume that it is in front of the object it covers.

Therefore, overlapping attests to depth.

Foreshortening

Foreshortening is a distortion that occurs when looking at objects or planes that are along the line of sight.

In the next example, a circumvolve, while in front of the observer, keeps its shape, no matter how far or close it is.

But, when the angle of sight is changed, the circle is no longer in front of the observer. Information technology is now along the line of sight and its shape is distorted to an ellipse.

In other words, its top becomes much shorter than its width (in this case).

So, in many cases, it is more interesting and natural to look at a cartoon of a foreshortened object.

If yous like bloom drawing, you might like my beginners guide to drawing flowers.

Remember:

When drawing ellipses (or any other shape), the closer y'all are to the horizon, the more that plane is foreshortened.

Ii mutual mistakes to avoid:

1. Do not describe the bottom of a cylindrical object flat (unless it is exactly on the horizon).

ii. Pay attention to the amount of foreshortening for each plane. In the example beneath, when there is not plenty foreshortening, information technology looks similar the summit office of the vase is facing the observer.

Perspective

Perspective is a fix of uncomplicated rules that assistance united states describe in a realistic way, particularly when drawing from imagination.

The use of perspective can produce unnatural results if not done correctly:

Use the power of linear perspective to create quick sketches, and explore unlike composition ideas.

If you are new to perspective, read my article on perspective drawing for beginners, or click the perspective category in my guide for best drawing tutorials on YouTube.

Composition

In art, composition is the way an artist compose a scene and render it.

When it comes to yet life, information technology means how we identify objects in an interesting manner.

Since composition is a personal preference, in that location are no rules on how to create it.

That said, in that location are some things to avoid.

For a natural composition, it is best to avert patterns, or annihilation that looks staged, uniform or symmetrical.

A squarish object, which is in front end of the observer, is quite boring. When rotated, two sides of the object are foreshortened.

This results in an interesting composition with a sense of depth:

To learn more nearly depth, read my article on how to draw with a sense of depth.

Cylindrical Objects:

What about a cylindrical object? Rotating it will non change its form.

While the form does not modify, any symbol or text on the object will rotate and create a spontaneous expect and therefore, authentic!

In addition, some cylindrical objects do have interesting features that can be rotated.

A view slightly from above is much better than a side view:

Objects Placement:

Placing objects with space between them or ordered by size (or any other pattern) is not interesting:

The employ of overlap and random placement (not in a row), volition render better:

Tip:

Keep your empty containers. You lot can utilise them to practice object grouping and placement.

Additionally, you can utilize any type of objects for composition practise. Fifty-fifty complex ones:

Thumbnails:

Sometimes, nosotros are non sure how to build our composition.

In such case, we tin can employ thumbnails for quick sketches. This should non be a long process, few minutes for each thumbnail, just to see what works and what does not.

It is beneficial to sketch some thumbnails for different compositions ideas. For case, different object placement or shut up vs long shot and and then on.

When drawing from imagination, information technology is almost crucial to use thumbnails, especially for beginners.

That is when perspective has a major role in creating true to life compositions.

On the other hand, when drawing from observation, there is a better way.

Cut a pigsty on a piece of paper and expect through information technology to find an interesting composition.

Focal Point Placement

When we want one main object to be the center of attention, we call it a focal point.

We will give it the most contrast and details in order for it to stand out.

In addition, for a pleasant and inviting limerick, whether it is a still life or a landscape, nosotros ordinarily want our master subject field not to exist in the heart.

When we put our focal signal in one side, we want to balance it with something on the other side. Something small and gentle (mountains and shadow in this example).

If you like drawing trees, visit my guide on how to describe trees.

Composition from Photos

Images you lot detect online are Non gratis to utilize for commercial purpose.

To etch your own, unique drawing from images, use images that are free to use.

Here are several websites that let yous download complimentary images:

Unsplash

Pexels

Pixabay

StockSnap.io

FREEIMAGES

In the adjacent example, I used iii images to etch a drawing:

So, it is a personal preference how to etch them.

For example, how big y'all want the characters to be (they are the focal signal in this example), and their location.

Tip:

When combining several images for a composition, attempt to use images with aforementioned placement of horizon line.

What Else Can We Compose?

Drawing (or painting) is story telling!

Earlier nosotros recall about object placement and other technical issues, our outset step in limerick is choosing what to draw (our subject).

Nosotros can draw beautiful things like landscapes or the animal kingdom.

Or, we can create our own stories. Similar comics and graphic novels.

Nosotros tin can use our drawing skills for a statement, message, protest, or to nowadays (brandish) an result in our ain unique mode.

With some knowledge in perspective and attending to foreshortening, nosotros tin can depict from imagination.

For example, draw our own product pattern.

And requite it context.

Or, we can depict unique concept art (for the pic industry or estimator games).

If you desire to create your own concept fine art or product design, visit my guide on how to draw from imagination.

Rendering

Cartoon takes time. In social club non to waste valuable time, information technology is best to program for a cute composition.

While object placement and other subjects covered in this tutorial are very important, the final render should exist of a finished artwork.

Here are some tips for creating a final render.

Dissimilarity:

Dissimilarity will help to create a cartoon with a presence and with a sense of depth.

To achieve that, we create areas with highlights and shadows.

One way is to illuminate the object/s we draw with a table lamp, at an angle.

Another style is to depict light and shadow from imagination (requires some knowledge and feel).

Cast Shadow:

In virtually cases, information technology is advisable to use cast shadow. Cast shadow helps with a sense of space and three-dimensionality.

Pen & Markers:

For a render with well-defined lines, pens for artists tin can exist used.

Colors tin can add together richness to the concluding render. Hither is my review for recommended artist grade markers.

Summary

If some drawing terms discussed higher up are new to you, read my article on how to describe in a realistic style.

For the materials I used in this article, visit my pencil cartoon supply guide.

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