Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
Still Life is an accessible instruction course for complete beginners to learn how to draw and paint contemporary still-life subjects.
Following a concise guide to the tools, materials and basic techniques that every beginner needs to know (including line, tone, colour, composition and perspective), there are ten tutorials showing how to draw and paint a variety of still life subjects using beginner-friendly materials, including pencil, charcoal, coloured pencils, pen and ink, watercolour paints and watercolour pencils. Each tutorial has a list of the materials and tools required, step-by-step photographs of the work, informative text and tips and strategies for getting the best results. By working through the tutorials, you will gradually develop your skills and build confidence until you feel equipped to attempt any still life. In addition to the tutorials, you’ll find three ‘focus on’ feature spreads. These pages offer more in-depth/advanced techniques appropriate to the projects.
“If you’re new to drawing, then we have the best book for you. The latest in a series of art guides for complete beginners, Still Life will help you go from novice to fully-fledged artist. Susie Johns begins this accessible artistic journey by going through the basics. What’s the difference between line and tone? Should I use pencil, graphite or watercolour? Whatever your question, Susie has the answer. She then moves on to a variety of practice projects, stopping along the way for some in-depth masterclasses. What are you waiting for? Get reading, and get drawing.”
Table of contents:
Introduction
Materials and equipment
pencil (graphite) and charcoal
erasers and masks
colored pencils and watercolor pencils
watercolors
brushes
pen and ink
paper and other supports
Basic techniques
line and tone: the building blocks of drawing
colour: hues and tints, color blending, complementary colors and more
composition: arranging objects and planning a picture
understanding perspective and spatial relationships
Project 1: Art materials: simple drawing of art supplies, using line and wash
Focus on Laying a Ground: Learn how to lay a ground on paper, using graphite or charcoal, in preparation for a tonal drawing
Project 2: Kitchen items: tonal drawing in charcoal (or graphite)
Project 3: Seashells and pebbles: line and tone, using graphite
Focus on Negative Space: Draw shapes more accurately by concentrating on the spaces between objects
Project 4: Table-top arrangement of white objects in pencil
Project 5: Toys on a shelf, using watercolor and water-soluble colored pencils
Project 6: An arrangement of personal objects such as a watch and keys, in colored pencil
Project 7: Tea and cakes using mixed media
Project 8: Garden items, including a watering can, in watercolor
Project 9: Table-top arrangement of fruit and flower heads in colored pencil or watercolor
Project 10: Fresh fish (mackerel, herrings or bass) in watercolor
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Index