Still life study & its benefits - Extra video
Added 2024-07-05 15:31:31 +0000 UTCIt’s time for an extra video 📹✨
You already know I did a workshop on the fundaments of drawing last month, using a still life as a reference. I chose this type of reference because I think it is ideal for studying the bases of drawing, creating a perfect setting to work on drawing to study the essential points such as light and perspective.
Still lifes allow you to play with different levels (first, second and third) as well as different heights. You can also play with light, creating chiaroscuro or even backlighting, if desired. These extreme contrasts are perfect for learning to visualize in blocks, reducing figures to simple shapes instead of seeing them for what they are. That way, we stop focusing on details and see a whole. Furthermore, this contrast helps us differentiate the values much better, something essential in drawing.
Still lifes can be made of so many things, which means they can never be boring! You could make a still life of anything as long as you get an interesting lightning. Also, since there are several elements, we can lesrn about with the composition. Key concepts such as rhythm and weight of the elements, the visual path that creates to make the work interesting for the viewer. This is something super important for when we create works in the future, that go beyond a sketch in a notebook.
The use of perspective and the distortion that elements suffer depending on where the view is located are also studied. With live drawing you can change positions and study the differences depending on the angle there is between your eyes and the object. Also, how close or how far you are from it.
You can work with different textures by having several different elements in the same place. The treatment you will give to a transparent glass vase will not be the same as what you will give to a rough orange, for example.
In short, this is a classic Fine Arts exercise that endures in time because of how effective it is. Don't be fooled by its apparent simplicity and give it a chance! 👀✍🏻✨
