High school Fine art students are oft required to produce yet life drawings or paintings within the confines of a busy classroom. Virtually Art Departments have cupboards crammed total of visually interesting objects that can be used to create still life arrangements. This article lists still life ideas for teachers or students who are stuck or in need of inspiration. The drove includes tried and true favourites that have been used past Art teachers for generations, every bit well as more unusual and gimmicky even so life topics.
What is a nevertheless life? Here is a definition provided by Wikipedia:
A work of art depicting mostly inanimate discipline thing, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or human-made
While senior Art students are usually costless to come up with their own topic or theme (read our article how to come up upward with great subject matter for your Fine art project) many middle school or inferior high schoolhouse students are required to piece of work with objects and scenes that meet the following criteria:
Viewable outset-hand
Visually interesting, with a range of unlike textures, reflections, surfaces and forms
Pocket-size enough to fix and arrange in the classroom (light, easily moveable)
Able to bundled in different ways, creating original compositions so that multiple exciting works tin can exist created
Durable enough to be handled safely by enthusiastic teenagers (without abrupt or dangerous parts, for example)
Able to stored from lesson to lesson without eroding, decaying or breaking (this is not necessary if the nevertheless life can exist drawn within a single lesson or photographed for completion at a after appointment)
Appropriate for younger students to view (i.eastward. not offensive)
This articles includes great work by students too as famous withal life artists. It is a piece of work in progress, with many more ideas to be added over time!
l+ Yet Life Drawing Ideas
Popcorn, every bit in these original notwithstanding life artworks past Po Yuan (left) and Betty Chen (right), students of Elizabeth Jendek, Thai Chinese International School, Samutprakarn, Thailand:
Although there is a singled-out possibility that a number of still life items might mysteriously 'disappear' during the course of this lesson, popcorn provides an excellent opportunity for practising the application of tone. Completed in charcoal, these large works create a kind of semi-abstracted landscapes and require conscientious attending to light and shadow.
Crumpled newspaper numberless, such as this work by xviii year former artist Raegan Koepsel:
Crunched and creased paper bags create dramatic shadows and provide an excellent opportunity to learn nigh tone. This is a swell subject to draw with charcoal on mid-tone grey or chocolate-brown newspaper. In this example, the paper bags take been twisted in different ways and advisedly assorted with a background of corrugated paper-thin.
Styrofoam cups, as inspired past this activeness past the DC Sketchers:
This is an first-class drawing activeness to help students understand how to represent ellipses (the oval shape that is visible when a circle is viewed from angle). The hollow truncated cones become surrounded by shadows and cute pockets of curving negative space, creating a superb still life drawing lesson. Photograph courtesy East Metropolis Art.
For more near cartoon ellipses, please read 11 tips for improving your observational cartoon.
Machinery and mechanical parts, such as old sewing machines, disassembled clocks, cogs/wheels and typewriters, inspired by this drawing from Parkway North High School, United States, taught by Art instructor and artist Grant Kniffen:
When the inner workings of mechanical items are exposed, there are often countless opportunities for art-making. In this observational drawing, the complex letter keys, crunched newspaper and detailed ink ribbon contrast the smooth surfaces of the typewriter and tabletop.
Many loftier school Art projects within New Zealand are based around the beach and coastline. Items such equally rope, floats, hooks, anchors, driftwood and line-fishing nets provide an excellent subject thing for still life works due to the variety of shapes, forms, patterns and surface textures. The items are normally large and substantial enough that a still life arrangement in the heart of the room can be viewed easily by all students. These two works by American Pop artist, Roy Lichtenstein, 'Greatcoat Cod Still life' and 'Cape Cod Still Life (Study)' evidence nets and rope entangled around an driftwood and shells. The bottom work is an oil and Magna (a make of acrylic resin pigment) completed in 1972, with a drawn composition study higher up.
Fish, crustaceans and other seafood, such every bit these high school still life paintings from an IGCSE Fine art Exam by Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College:
Withal life paintings of fish and other sea creatures can make for an exciting lesson – especially when the real items are slapped onto the centre of tables in the Fine art room (it may be worth checking out where these can be stored in between class – staff rooms may accept space in the freezer)!
Science equipment, inspired by this pencil still life from a student of Grant Kniffen at Parkway North Loftier School, United States:
Drawing exercises such equally this can be a nifty fashion for making connections between other subject areas within the school. In this example, it might be possible to mimic a scientific experiment that students are currently learning nearly. Notation the stunning composition in this work, with the combination of slightly curving textbook images and text providing an appropriate background to the detailed iii-dimensional microscope.
Wooden mannequins, as in these black and white nonetheless life drawings by Grade 10 and Form xi students from Conway High School, United states of america, taught by Carla Owen. Jeff (left), Dylan (centre) and Nathan (correct):
Wooden mannequins can be great still life additions, posed as if the figure is interacting / responding to its environs. In this yet life drawing lesson, varied line weight has been used to create depth and create focal areas within the work.
For more than line cartoon examples, please read our comprehensive Line Cartoon Guide for Fine art Students.
Armchairs, chairs or stools, equally in this example by Daniel E. Munoz-Vidal:
Fine art classes may only have access to mundane stools. Sometimes, however, an Fine art teacher will acquire an old chair, sofa or carved wooden chair that can become a permanent add-on to still life collection. In this well composed cartoon, chairs and tables have been positioned so that their forms intersect and piece up the page.
Dolls, train sets and other toys, such every bit this observational drawing of a teddy bear completed as part of an AQA GCSE Art and Pattern project educatee by Holly Reynolds from King Edward VI Military camp Hill School For Girls:
Still life paintings of toys are a popular choice amongst middle and loftier school Fine art students. Although there can be risks with drawing cartoon-similar toys, or those with distorted proportions (it can be difficult for an examiner to tell whether the cartoon is badly proportioned rather than the toy itself, for example) items such every bit old and broken dolls, ancient teddy bears and intricate train sets brand excellent however life material. This A3 cartoon by Holly was completed from first-hand observation, in response to the topic 'Memories', using a range of graphite pencils (5H – 9B) and a putty eraser.
Bottles, vases, jugs and vessels (this topic was inspired by a Highcrest Academy Art Department Pinterest board), such equally the famous Giorgio Morandi nevertheless life drawings, etchings and paintings:
Giorgio Morandi, a famous however life creative person who died in 1964, is well known for his deceptively simple still life artworks, which repeat many familiar household items, such as vases, bowls and bottles. Morandi positions these with careful precision, with each object treated as if it were a sculptural entity: a formal exploration of space and form. His paintings in particular accept a subtle use of tone. The 1928 etching above, titled "Grande natura morta con la lampada a destra", may inspire students to produce pen drawings that accept a similar cantankerous-hatching artful.
Empty boxes, inspired past a cartoon practise completed past a student of Nicole Havekost:
Boxes provide a great contemporary still life objects. At offset glance boxes seem simple to draw; they are comprised of primarily directly lines, flat planes, with little detail; nonetheless, this task demands a good agreement of perspective and challenges students to really use their eyes to observe the variation in tone. Previously unnoticed details begin to jump into vision: creases, text, peeling edges of cellotape. This activity could exist presented every bit a quick still life gesture drawing or a meticulous, detailed observation of angles, planes, low-cal and grade.
Jewellery and treasure boxes, as in these still life paintings by IGCSE Art and Pattern student, Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College:
This piece of work was produced inside several drawing lessons that asked students to produce nonetheless life paintings with dark backgrounds (such as the necklace shown on black acrylic pigment) and work over other prepared grounds (for case, the still life on the left is completed using Carandache crayon upon watered down acrylic). The jewellery boxes provide students with the opportunity to represent three-dimensional space, while the jewellery itself adds glistening, detailed focal areas inside the work.
Preserved animals and other specimens in jars, such as these mod however life artworks past Cindy Wright:
In add-on to insects, Science Departments often take wonderful preserved animal specimens that make for great still life subjects. If these are unavailable, you might wish to create your own dramatic interpretation, based on the however life compositions above past Cindy Wright. These works strength u.s.a. to meet the lifeless gaze of gutted fish coiled within a glass fish bowl.
Fruit and vegetables, inspired past Paul Cezanne'due south notwithstanding life with apples:
Fruit and vegetables are inexpensive plenty that large quantities can be purchased for classroom utilize, allowing students to organise the notwithstanding life arrangements themselves or in pocket-sized groups. Dedicated students may bring more than unusual items from home. Although a however life comprised of fresh nutrient is unlikely to final longer than a week (less within rambunctious classrooms) vegetables such as garlic, potatoes, onions, gourds and pumpkins can be kept for a much longer elapsing. In that location is also the opportunity to include wooden tables and other still life items in the background. These famous notwithstanding life paintings by Paul Cezanne are titled 'Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier' (which means Drape, Jug and Fruit Bowl) and 'The Handbasket of Apples' (the lower artwork). Both even so life paintings are completed using oil and sheet in the 1890s and judged by some to exist among the best withal life paintings ever.
Vintage cameras, as in these drove of observational drawings by Year 9 student Dougal Burden from Takapuna Grammer School:
This practice introduces students to different mediums and provides experience rendering a range of different reflective, shine and faintly textured man-made surfaces. It also provides swell way to spark other Visual Art interests and share knowledge about early photographic techniques.
A glass of water, such equally this example by Hanna Asfour:
Although it is virtually impossible for a high school form to get to the stop of a h2o-based lesson without somebody spilling something, this practice tin can be a stunning and challenging task that really helps conquer the fear of transparent surfaces head-on. With skillful lighting, this job allows students to render the glass, water and the sparkling tonal variations within the shadow. A task of this nature can be a great i-lesson activity, perhaps set as 'test' or one-off assignment.
A jug and cup of tea, with inspiration from cubist still life paintings by Juan Gris:
Subsequently preparing the drawing surface with a painted ground and glued downward paper (some of which may have decorative patterns that mimic wood grain or a table material, for instance), students may overlay fragments of observational drawings, from slightly distorted angles, with tone softly applied due north the fashion of Juan Gris. This constructed cubist piece was completed in 1914 using oil and mixed media and is titled 'Breakfast'.
To meet other background ideas, please read Painting on grounds: creative use of media for Painting students.
Hands, equally inspired by this observational drawing by Cath Riley:
Gimmicky artist Cath Riley has produced a series of detailed, highly realistic graphite pencil drawings of hands, including many in which the manus is touching, squeezing or gripping human flesh. Hands are an accompaniment that students are able to set up and brainstorm drawing immediately. Each can pose their hand in an original position and have this with them to depict from in whatever location. This makes hands an ideal subject for quick still life sketches.
Marbles, spheres and assurance, inspired by Pedro Campos paintings:
Well known gimmicky still life creative person Pedro Campos creates hyper realistic even so life paintings, such as the marble and golf ball oil on canvas work, 'Camp Creek', above. Drawing marbles and other spherical objects challenges students to focus all of their attending upon color, tone and surface; capturing glistening reflections and textural variations to heighten the illusion of reality.
Shells, as in these artworks from the students of Elizabeth Jendek (from left to correct): Marisa Leong, Supanan Lee, Miri Morita, Warin (Pinky) Rungsakaolert and Po Yuan, completed while studying at Thai Chinese International School, Samutprakarn, Thailand:
In addition to provided a wealth of varied visually interesting forms, shells are durable enough to survive the free energy of a high schoolhouse Art classroom. In this stunning unit of work, students accept produced vibrant, loftier dissimilarity oil pastel artworks. These works were completed after formally analysing the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, working first-hand from however life arrangements, mirrors to assist generate complex compositions.
Insects, such every bit these stippled pen drawings upon colored wash, completed by Grade 11 students Emery (left) and Caleb (right) from Conway Loftier Schoolhouse, United states, under the management of experienced Art teacher, Carla Owen:
Drawing insects can be challenging, due to difficulty sourcing first-paw imagery. It is sometimes possible to purchase dried and preserved insects in display cases and to use a magnifying glass to make the job of observing details easier (Scientific discipline Departments often take a gear up of these). The striking examples above have been completed using black pen applied in dots (stippled) to a watercolor ground.
Potted plants, succulents and cacti, inspired past Laura Garcia Serventi'south illustrations on Etsy:
With an appropriate choice of plants (ideally those that can survive long periods without attentive care) and interestingly shaped plant pots, this can course the basis of a bang-up still life painting lesson plan. These works past Laura Garcia Serventi include a diversity of contrasting plant forms and flowers, with different subtle patterns, pots positioned on a dramatic tiled floor.
Metal taps, silverware and other highly reflective objects, as is illustrated in this video of how to draw a spoon by VamosART.
Many resources that demonstrate 'how to draw step-by-pace' encourage students to draw by formula, rather than learning to see and record what is in front end of them. This time lapse video is very helpful, however, equally it provides proficient insight into how tone tin can be built up using light and dark pencils on mid-tone newspaper.
Origami or folded paper, inspired by this observational drawings by Sean Dooley, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design:
Folding newspaper can create stunning shadows and a mesh of intriguing athwart lines. This example is one that is included in our listing of substitute fine art lessons, and can involve students first constructing origami, earlier producing observational drawings in a range of unlike media.
Please view our list of substitute Art lessons for more i-off drawing lessons.
Bones and skeletons, equally in this example by Year xi student Manisha Mistry, from ACG Strathallan College (please view her total IGCSE Art and Design Coursework project):
Folding newspaper can create stunning shadows and a mesh of intriguing angular lines. This case is one that is included in our list of substitute art lessons, and can involve students first constructing origami, before producing observational drawings in a range of dissimilar media.
Complex interiors and window panes, every bit in this Henri Matisse nonetheless life:
Titled 'Still life after Jan Davidsz De Heem'due south 'La Desserte'' this painting is Matisse's estimation of a piece of work by seventeenth-century Dutch painter Jan Davidsz de Heem. Drawing influences from cubism, Matisse contructs the scene using intersecting angular lines. In this practice, the groundwork may take on equal importance with the central notwithstanding life, with open windows / table surfaces / surrounding items becoming a prominent part of the composition. This task may too get an 'inverted all the same life', where the still life organization is pushed into the foreground, with background items helping to prepare the scene and tell a story.
Old shoes and sandals, every bit in these examples by Vincent van Gogh:
The traditional 'still life with one-time shoe' remains a pop choice among Art students. Shiny surfaces often contrast metal buckles, twisted laces and furled edges of leather. Shoe polish and brushes tin can also be a great addition. These van Gogh notwithstanding life paintings were completed using oil on canvas in the 1880s and are titled 'A pair of shoes' (acme) and 'Iii pairs of shoes' (bottom).
Art-making equipment, such as is this example by Textiles Art teacher Gayle Bicknell, which was prepared equally office of a lesson for her BTEC art class at Alton Higher, Hampshire, Uk:
This topic lends itself to Jim Dine inspired charcoal still life drawings – working with a range of mixed media and textural backgrounds. This didactics instance by Gayle is a graphite drawing of a single pair of scissors over a collaged groundwork that has and then been photographed and digitally manipulated.
Woodworking tools, every bit inspired past this instruction exercise past Jaime Brett Treadwell, artist and full-fourth dimension Professor who teaches foundation courses for all AFA programs offered at Delaware County Community College including Studio Arts, Graphic Design, and Photography:
In this task, students are encouraged to set tools upon a canvas of white paper, with a light source (such every bit an inexpensive tabular array lamp) shining upon from an angle that creates interesting shadows. Students utilize a viewfinder to select a composition from the arrangement, considering the human relationship betwixt positive and negative spaces. The image is created using a range of experimental techniques, such as erasing back areas, rubbing the newspaper with napkins and then on. Visually pleasing tools that are scarred and battered with utilize can often exist sourced at depression toll from second hand shops (think it is best to avoid those that may cause inadvertent injury). As with higher up, woodworking tools are a great subject affair to use while studying the piece of work of Jim Dine.
There are likewise bully ideas for tools in this great Highcrest Art Department Pinterest board.
Weaving, every bit in this example by Year xi IGCSE Art student Manisha Mistry, from ACG Strathallan College:
In this still life lesson students were required to research traditional flax weaving methods and make their own experimental weaving. They and then created observational drawings from these and photocopied the weaving for subsequent tasks. Weaving drawings offer the opportunity for students to practise blending colors in a broad range of different mediums.
Musical instruments, as in this detail from a Pieter Claesz vanitas still life:
Loftier school Music Departments are sometimes willing to lend instruments that tin can be used in still life displays; with instruments overlapping in gild to create interesting shadows, as in the item of the oil painting higher up past Pieter Claesz. This work is titled 'Vanitas Nevertheless Life with the Spinario' and was painted in 1628.
You lot may also be interested in viewing this 100% Equally Coursework projection based upon an abstraction of musical instrument still life by Year 12 AS Art and Design educatee Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College.
Old books, such as this example of a Dutch still life with books completed in 1628 (artist unknown):
Cute quondam books can often be purchased from 2d-hand shops. Schoolhouse English language, Geography, Scientific discipline and History Departments also may have swell one-time textbooks that have been discarded past past students or are no longer used. Many of these may have student graphite, dates or other notation in them that can provide welcome variety and visual interest in still life drawings and paintings of books.
Cord, sticks and stones, inspired by a educational activity practise designed by Andrew Strachan (at present teaching at ACG Senior College).
In this activity, students are presented with a collection of sticks, cord and stones, and asked to create a sculpture by tying together the sticks and hanging a stone from this using the string. Observational drawings are then created of this, with the tension of the thin, taut string contrasting the textured woods and stone.
Even so life with flowers, inspired past these Vincent van Gogh sunflowers:
A cartoon of flowers can get cliché, 'pretty' or uninspiring (adding to the endless formulaic roses, hibiscus or lily blossom drawings that fill the earth). Extreme care should be taken to guide students away from 'rote' or 'formulaic' drawing, where the flower is drawn from memory or step-by-step according to some predetermined pattern, without showtime-hand ascertainment of form or tone. You might choose uncommon flowers, or those that are damaged, stale or rust-covered, for instance. Rather than in a flower pot or vase, the flowers might be scattered upon the basis, every bit in 'Four cut sunflowers' by van Gogh higher up. It is also worth noting that bloom nonetheless life drawings and paintings tin too be a hit with family members, with many parents enthusiastically displaying flower drawings (much more than so that with some of the other all the same life suggestions on this page)!
Lamps, lanterns and light bulbs, equally in this charcoal drawing by Akrawczyk:
In addition to transparency and curving reflective surfaces, these still life objects oft accept sparse wires and/or power cords – and frequently emit calorie-free themselves – making them an extra challenging and exciting object to depict.
Collections of pop gimmicky foodstuffs – brilliant packages and heart catching labels – can exist used to create stunning compositions, every bit in this Tom Wesselmann still life. Many of these 'pop objects' have the benefit that they are packaged and long-lasting, able to be stored for some fourth dimension in an Art room cupboard.
A cluttered desk, inspired past this Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin still life:
Although Fine art students are ofttimes masters of the cluttered desk syndrome, this task tin exist gear up upwards within a classroom with more than purpose, so that the selected objects are function of a narrative, whereby the composition conveys a item backstory and meaning. In this Chardin nonetheless life, titled 'The Attributes of the Arts and the Rewards Which Are Accorded Them', completed using oil on sheet, objects accept been selected to represent various artistic disciplines – painting, drawing, architecture and sculpture – and are arranged aslope a ribbon with a cross, the highest award an artist in this region and time could apparently receive. The work was completed using oil on canvass in 1766.
A busy pinboard, as in this nevertheless life painting past Jean-François de Le Motte:
Still life arrangements can be hands pinned to classroom pinboards. This painting, completed in 1670, includes a painting inside a painting, a letter to the artist, a printed pamphlet and an accounting booklet.
Eggs, as in this AP Studio Art summer consignment fix by teacher Billy Hicks:
Students throughout the ages have voiced their frustration when they are set the task of applying tone to drawings of eggs, all the same virtually all see the value of the exercise when the work is complete. This yet life activity involves a contrast of textures, with the polish eggs resting on textured cloth or crumpled paper towel to create a visually pleasing limerick. Another variation involves drawing open egg shells, with light falling across the concave and convex surfaces.
Rubbish / litter / discarded remains, as in this drawing by Brittany Lee, Year 10 Art educatee at ACG Parnell College:
Samples of litter and other remains, such as orangish peelings, assistant skins and apple tree cores can make fantabulous still life subjects. This work was completed using black Indian and water on wet-forcefulness cartridge paper. It was completed inside one hr.
This cartoon lesson likewise featured in our list of ideas for substitute Art teachers.
Seedpods, every bit inspired past this observational cartoon by IGCSE Art and Design educatee, Claire Mitchell, ACG Strathallan College (you lot may as well like to view this Highcrest Academy Art Pinterest board for inspiration):
Seedpods come in many intriguing organic shapes and forms. They typically last for a long time and are readily available – often in the school yard itself.
Shirts, dresses and drapery, equally in these examples past the students of Kristy Patterson, Guymon High School:
Shirts, dresses and other habiliment items, which might include coat hangers, zips, buttons, belts, buckles, items of adornment, as well equally traditional costumes, offer the opportunity to draw draped folded textile alongside more complex accessories, pleats, seams and textile details. In the exercise above, students produce realistic drawings of a personal item of wearable that are pinned to a display console (the panel tin exist shifted bated and placed in storage until the side by side form).
Random objects hanging from cord, every bit in these graphite drawings by the students of Jaime Brett Treadwell, artist and full-fourth dimension Professor who teaches foundation courses for all AFA programs offered at Delaware Canton Community College including Studio Arts, Graphic Design, and Photography:
A nonetheless life composition that is created from hanging objects has the presence of the string to create tension and linear elements, alongside unexpected shadows, angles and alignment of objects. It tin too result in dramatic gimmicky imagery, as students hang and explore unusual subject matter.
You lot may also wish to view this high school art project by Nikau Hindin, which contains images derived from decaying fruit and vegetables hanging on string.
Cutlery and kitchen utensils, as in this warm-upwardly cartoon exercise by the students of creative person and teacher Julie Douglas:
This exercise is ane of the well-nigh challenging on this list. The withal life drawing combines reflective surface, convex and concave forms with minor details and knotted cord.
This work was earlier featured in How to Create an excellent Observational Cartoon: xi Tips for High School Art Students.
Did you savour this listing? Please share it with other Art teachers and students that you know!
Amiria has been an Art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the form design and assessment of student work in two high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Pattern Coursework Assessor.
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