Mastering Still Life Painting: A Step-By-Step Guide

Painting a still life can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The first step is to choose the right supplies, such as oil paints or acrylics, and a variety of brushes to create different textures and strokes. Then, set up your scene and consider the lighting and composition. You can use a lightbox to control the lighting and determine where you want the viewer's eye to go in the composition. Once you're happy with the setup, you can start blocking in the painting, starting with the background. As you paint, focus on adding detail to one key object at a time and remember to keep your layers 'fat over lean' to prevent cracking. Finally, step back and assess the whole picture, making any necessary adjustments to the colors, composition, and overall impression.

Choosing a subject and setting up your scene

Choosing a Subject:

Select objects that inspire you and that you enjoy looking at. Everyday objects around your home can make excellent subjects for still life paintings. For instance, you can choose items such as fruit, a jug, a gourd, or even something as simple as a piece of rope or a pair of scissors. If you're painting from life, you can directly observe and paint the composition you've created with your chosen objects. Alternatively, you can take multiple pictures of different still lifes and combine them into a single painting.

Setting Up Your Scene:

Consider the lighting and composition of your scene. Decide on the lighting intensity and whether you want an open or closed stage setup. A lightbox can be incredibly useful for controlling the lighting in your scene. You can play with the lighting direction and intensity to create the desired atmosphere. Additionally, plan the placement of each object in your composition. Avoid placing your focal area in the middle of the composition, as this can create a static feel. Instead, experiment with different arrangements to guide the viewer's eye and create a dynamic painting.

Materials and Supplies:

Before diving into your still life, choosing the right materials and supplies is essential. Decide whether you want to work with oil paints or acrylics. If using oils, artist-quality paint is recommended for a better painting experience. Additionally, select a variety of brushes in different shapes and sizes to create various textures and strokes. Flat and Filbert brushes, for example, are great for bold, loose brush strokes. You can also use tools like Saral transfer paper to transfer your initial drawing to your canvas or panel.

Remember, choosing a subject and setting up your scene are just the first steps in creating a beautiful still life painting. With careful consideration and experimentation, you'll be well on your way to crafting a captivating composition.

Selecting your painting supplies

Oil paints are a popular choice for still life paintings, and within this medium, there are options to consider. Traditional oil paints use turpentine as a solvent, but if you want to avoid strong smells, water-soluble oils are a good alternative. These dry by evaporation and oxidation, and the handling properties will depend on the medium used to dilute the paint—water or linseed oil. If you're a complete beginner, artist-quality oil paints are recommended as they go further and offer a better painting experience.

Acrylic paints are another option and are a good choice if you want to avoid the strong smells of oil paints. Acrylics also have their own set of basic colours to choose from, including burnt umber, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow light, and titanium white.

Once you've decided on your paint type, you'll need to select your brushes. Different brush shapes and sizes are suited to different techniques and styles. Generally, you'll want a variety of brushes to create different textures and strokes. For bold, loose brush strokes and large shapes and textures, flat and filbert brushes are a good choice. If you're using oil paints, a hog bristle bright brush can be useful for scrubbing in a thin, flat layer of colour.

Other supplies to consider include a palette for mixing your colours, as well as a surface to paint on, such as a canvas or panel. Additionally, if you plan to sketch out your composition first, you may want to have some pencils or other drawing tools on hand.

Creating your composition

Creating a composition is a crucial step in the process of painting a still life. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to help you effectively create your composition:

Firstly, it is advisable to sketch out your composition before diving into the actual painting. This step helps you plan the placement of each object and ensure correct proportions. When creating your composition, avoid placing your focal area in the middle of the piece, as this can cause static in the painting. Instead, choose a key object and use bristle brushes to add detail to it. You can also experiment with lighting to enhance the composition. Consider using a lightbox to control the lighting effects and determine the intensity and drama of the lighting in your piece.

Additionally, you can play with different objects and their juxtaposition in your composition. For instance, you can include a shadow on a wall or add an element like a piece of rope, as shown in one example. This adds complexity and a unique touch to your still life.

Another technique is to use a drawing and transfer it using Saral transfer paper to a primed aluminium laminate panel. You can then brush transparent red oxide over the transferred lines and let them dry before proceeding with your painting.

Remember, your composition is a creative process, and you can control it by using lighting, colour, and edges to direct the viewer's eye to the areas you want to highlight.

Adding depth and detail

To add depth and detail to your still life painting, there are several techniques you can employ. Firstly, consider the lighting and its source. Using a lightbox can help you control the composition and intensity of the lighting in your setup. You can decide whether you want an open stage, a closed-stage box, or a tabletop box, each of which will create a different lighting effect. Utilise shadows to add depth to your composition. For example, you can add the shadow of an object on a wall to create the illusion of light coming from a window.

Another way to add depth is by focusing on a key object in your composition and adding detail to it. Start by blocking in the background and then gradually build up the details of your focal object. This will help guide the viewer's eye and create a sense of depth. Use bristle brushes to add these finer details, and if needed, add a drop of M. Graham walnut alkyd medium to improve paint flow. Avoid using mineral spirits as they can dissolve the binder.

Additionally, pay attention to the edges of objects in your composition. You can create soft edges for certain objects, while using a ruler to create straight edges for others, such as tables or surfaces. This variation in edge treatment will add depth and interest to your painting.

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and add unexpected elements to your still life. For instance, you can include objects that don't necessarily fit the theme but create a pleasing juxtaposition. This can be a unique way to add depth and a personal touch to your artwork.

Final adjustments and finishing touches

Once you've completed the painting, step back and assess the artwork as a whole. Examine the colours, composition, and overall impression, and decide if you're happy with the painting or if it needs any final adjustments.

If you're adding any final details, save your lightest value colour for this step. You can add some fine highlights to your painting by mixing titanium white with a bit of cadmium yellow. You can also use this mixture to highlight areas of your focal objects, such as an apple or pineapple.

If you're using oil paints, keep your paintings crack-free by layering them 'fat over lean' or more flexible over less flexible. It can be helpful to prepare different ratios of medium before you begin, so you can easily move on to the next layer and mix.

Consider the lighting of your painting and whether you want to add any dramatic effects. You can use a lightbox to determine the intensity and drama of the lighting. Think about where you want the viewer's eye to be directed in the composition and use light, colour, and edges to guide their gaze.

Finally, ensure that your painting surface is dry before displaying or storing it.

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