Still Life Painting - Spring 2025
"... still life painting is considered of small importance in the Art schools, both here and abroad, the usual course being drawn from the antique, painting the draped figure and from the nude. ... Then why should the earnest student overlook the simplest and most thorough way of acquiring all the knowledge of the craft of painting and drawing, the study of inanimate objects, still life painting, the very surest road to absolute mastery over all technical difficulties."
This spring (January–March), I’ll be diving back into one of my favorite subjects: still life painting. Exploring everyday objects like oranges, apples, cups, and bowls has greatly enriched my understanding of painting as a whole. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to practice working directly from life, if you choose.
NOTE: This term will be for 9 weeks from the 13th of Jan – 21st of March with a half term on the the week of the 17th of Febuary
Please read below for specific suggestions for this term:
Lesson Plan
Week 1: A general approach to Still Life painting with Demo
Week 2: Daily Painting & Carol Marine
Week 3: Monochrome Underpainting
Week 4: Still Life painting with Glass
Week 5: Still Life painting with Flowers
Half Term Break
Week 6: Pallet Knife Painting
Week 7:Colour Mixing & Design
Week 8: Bigger Painting – Drawing and Monochrome
Week 9: Bigger Painting ii – Full Colour
Materials List
Taking Inspiration from the Daily Painters – I would suggest working on the same sized boards for the majority of the term. Carol Marine used 6×6″ boards but I would go a bit bigger with 8×8″. you can either buy some yourself from a hardware shop like underwoods in Felixstowe or buy some online. The square format works well but other more traditional sizes are fine for example 8×10″.
If this is your first term you can find a complete material list here
Viewfinder
Shadow Box
I will be setting up still life subjects in each class however If you want to set up your own still life in the class I would suggest making a shadow box. There are lots of ways to approach this – The easiest is to find a cardboard box and paint the inside black. Then use a clip on light to illuminate your subject. If you bring a normal light you may need an extension lead depending on the hall. Here are some more ideas on youtube:
https://youtu.be/0gHvX1Zt9gc?si=8mRhYQyRjZDj-vtW
https://youtu.be/PvW0ro-Vj6c?si=ccnWvcsdpX_wFyqf
Still Life Objects
Feel free to experiment with objects. Here are a few suggestions from past terms:
Fruit, Vegetables, Cups, Bowls, Jugs, Glassware, Pots, Plants, Flowers, Garden Tools, Hats, Shoes, Toys, Antiques, Books, Photographs, Figurine’s
Recommended Reading
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Ipswich Art Class
Felixstowe Art Class
Woodbridge Art Class
Needham Market Art Class
