Still Life Drawing and Painting
Books and Flowers 2003 - Demonstration
By Dion Archibald
First of all I like to be familiar with my subject matter. Painting still life works for me has simply been an acknowledgment of my surroundings. Everywhere we look in our homes there is a painting just waiting to happen. I can be inspired by a toothbrush, a pile of shoes, or a collection of bottles. The term "artist's block" sounds foreign to me as I love the act of painting and see new and exciting subjects to be painted everyday. This particular work is of a pile of favourite artist books and a vase of plastic flowers from my toilet.
Step1
Part of the fun with still lives is arranging the subject matter.
I like the items to look like they've just been thrown onto
the table randomly, whilst still considering the composition
as I arrange them. When I am happy with the arrangement I start
sketching very loosely with a large brush and some diluted paynes
grey. It is a very playful stage.
Step 2
Then I start to refine the subject matter and make any compositional
changes that I missed in the first stage. Still using very fluid
paint (mixed with archival classic medium) I try to cover all
the white areas of the board. I start thinking about lights
and darks but keep the colours very basic as this is just a
blocking in stage to get the form and composition right.
