Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Still Life Art

As promised, information about still life paintings!

This post is dedicated to my mother, a person who has suffered considerable angst over my ongoing refusal to "Paint something happy. Like fruit."

Usually, I find still life paintings terribly boring. Tables covered in fruits and vegetables, wine glasses, flowers... Why would I want to paint that? There's no interest or energy. No personality. Right?

I mean, yes. Actually. For the most part.

But! There are really amazing examples of still life paintings! Need proof? Look below!



Juan Sánchez Cotán
Still Life with Quince, Cabbage, Melon and Cucumber, 1600



Roy Lichtenstein
Still Life with Peeled Lemon, 1972



Le Corbusier
Still Life, 1920

Ms. J. really encourages "art from observation," which is a more technical way of saying "still life." She divides art into two categories, one being "art from observation" and the other being "conceptualization or design." The painting class in particular seems drawn to still life painting. Right now we have students painting sea shells, apples, and geometric face forms. Others still are learning elements of interior design and spend their time sketching even the tiniest details to be found in the room. I am not entirely sure why still life work is so pervasive in the classroom... Of course, one could always argue that it is one of the most beneficial approaches when developing technical skills, especially rendering accurate perspective and value. I have always been more attracted to "conceptualization or design" work because I always felt that it allowed for maximum creativity.

Nevertheless, as they say, "When in Rome..."



Incomplete Still Life: Tea Pot and Flower
Mechanical Pencil




Still Life of Horse Model
Mechanical Pencil



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