High school Fine art students are often required to produce all the same life drawings or paintings within the confines of a decorated classroom. Almost Fine art Departments have cupboards crammed total of visually interesting objects that tin can be used to create nevertheless life arrangements. This article lists however life ideas for teachers or students who are stuck or in need of inspiration. The collection includes tried and true favourites that accept been used by Fine art teachers for generations, also as more unusual and contemporary nonetheless life topics.
What is a notwithstanding life? Here is a definition provided by Wikipedia:
A work of fine art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or man-made
While senior Art students are commonly gratis to come up with their ain topic or theme (read our article how to come up with great subject affair for your Fine art project) many heart school or junior high school students are required to work with objects and scenes that run across the following criteria:
Viewable beginning-hand
Visually interesting, with a range of different textures, reflections, surfaces and forms
Pocket-size enough to set and arrange in the classroom (light, easily moveable)
Able to bundled in dissimilar means, creating original compositions and then that multiple exciting works tin can be created
Durable enough to exist handled safely by enthusiastic teenagers (without sharp or unsafe parts, for example)
Able to stored from lesson to lesson without eroding, decaying or breaking (this is not necessary if the still life tin can exist drawn within a single lesson or photographed for completion at a later engagement)
Appropriate for younger students to view (i.e. not offensive)
This articles includes smashing work by students also as famous still life artists. Information technology is a work in progress, with many more ideas to be added over time!
50+ Nonetheless Life Cartoon Ideas
Popcorn, as in these original still life artworks by Po Yuan (left) and Betty Chen (correct), students of Elizabeth Jendek, Thai Chinese International School, Samutprakarn, Thailand:
Although in that location is a singled-out possibility that a number of still life items might mysteriously 'disappear' during the class of this lesson, popcorn provides an excellent opportunity for practising the application of tone. Completed in charcoal, these big works create a kind of semi-abstracted landscapes and require careful attention to light and shadow.
Crumpled paper bags, such as this work by 18 year onetime artist Raegan Koepsel:
Crunched and creased paper numberless create dramatic shadows and provide an excellent opportunity to learn virtually tone. This is a bang-up subject to depict with charcoal on mid-tone greyness or brown paper. In this example, the paper bags have been twisted in different ways and carefully assorted with a background of corrugated cardboard.
Styrofoam cups, as inspired by this activity by the DC Sketchers:
This is an excellent drawing action to help students sympathize 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 beautiful pockets of curving negative infinite, creating a superb still life drawing lesson. Photo courtesy East City Art.
For more nigh drawing ellipses, please read 11 tips for improving your observational drawing.
Machinery and mechanical parts, such as old sewing machines, disassembled clocks, cogs/wheels and typewriters, inspired by this drawing from Parkway North High Schoolhouse, United states, taught by Fine art teacher and artist Grant Kniffen:
When the inner workings of mechanical items are exposed, there are often endless opportunities for fine art-making. In this observational drawing, the complex alphabetic character keys, crunched paper and detailed ink ribbon contrast the smoothen surfaces of the typewriter and tabletop.
Many high school Art projects within New Zealand are based around the embankment and coastline. Items such as rope, floats, hooks, anchors, driftwood and fishing nets provide an fantabulous field of study matter for nonetheless life works due to the diversity of shapes, forms, patterns and surface textures. The items are usually large and substantial enough that a even so life organisation in the centre of the room can be viewed easily by all students. These two works by American Popular artist, Roy Lichtenstein, 'Cape Cod Still life' and 'Cape Cod Still Life (Written report)' show nets and rope entangled effectually an driftwood and shells. The bottom work is an oil and Magna (a make of acrylic resin pigment) completed in 1972, with a drawn limerick study above.
Fish, crustaceans and other seafood, such as these high school still life paintings from an IGCSE Art Exam past Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College:
Even so life paintings of fish and other sea creatures tin make for an exciting lesson – particularly when the real items are slapped onto the centre of tables in the Fine art room (information technology may exist worth checking out where these can be stored in betwixt class – staff rooms may have infinite in the freezer)!
Scientific discipline equipment, inspired by this pencil all the same life from a student of Grant Kniffen at Parkway Due north High School, Us:
Drawing exercises such every bit this can be a great mode for making connections between other subject field areas within the school. In this instance, information technology might be possible to mimic a scientific experiment that students are currently learning about. Note the stunning limerick in this work, with the combination of slightly curving textbook images and text providing an advisable background to the detailed three-dimensional microscope.
Wooden mannequins, as in these black and white however life drawings by Course x and Grade eleven students from Conway High Schoolhouse, United States, taught by Carla Owen. Jeff (left), Dylan (centre) and Nathan (correct):
Wooden mannequins can be great yet life additions, posed as if the figure is interacting / responding to its environment. In this still life cartoon 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 Drawing Guide for Art Students.
Armchairs, chairs or stools, equally in this example past Daniel Due east. Munoz-Vidal:
Fine art classes may merely have access to mundane stools. Sometimes, however, an Art instructor will acquire an old chair, sofa or carved wooden chair that can go a permanent addition to still life collection. In this well composed cartoon, chairs and tables accept been positioned and so that their forms intersect and slice up the page.
Dolls, train sets and other toys, such as this observational drawing of a teddy bear completed as role of an AQA GCSE Fine art and Pattern project student by Holly Reynolds from King Edward Vi Camp Hill School For Girls:
Still life paintings of toys are a popular pick amongst middle and high school Art students. Although there can exist risks with drawing cartoon-similar toys, or those with distorted proportions (information technology can be difficult for an examiner to tell whether the drawing is badly proportioned rather than the toy itself, for example) items such equally sometime and broken dolls, ancient teddy bears and intricate train sets make excellent even so life fabric. This A3 drawing by Holly was completed from first-hand ascertainment, 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 Section Pinterest board), such equally the famous Giorgio Morandi nevertheless life drawings, etchings and paintings:
Giorgio Morandi, a famous nonetheless life artist who died in 1964, is well known for his deceptively simple still life artworks, which repeat many familiar household items, such every bit vases, bowls and bottles. Morandi positions these with conscientious precision, with each object treated as if it were a sculptural entity: a formal exploration of space and form. His paintings in particular have a subtle apply of tone. The 1928 carving above, titled "Grande natura morta con la lampada a destra", may inspire students to produce pen drawings that have a like cross-hatching aesthetic.
Empty boxes, inspired by a drawing practise completed by a pupil of Nicole Havekost:
Boxes provide a cracking contemporary still life objects. At starting time glance boxes seem unproblematic to depict; they are comprised of primarily straight lines, flat planes, with little detail; even so, this task demands a skillful understanding 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 as a quick notwithstanding life gesture drawing or a meticulous, detailed observation of angles, planes, light and class.
Jewellery and treasure boxes, as in these nevertheless life paintings by IGCSE Fine art and Design student, Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College:
This piece of work was produced within several drawing lessons that asked students to produce however life paintings with dark backgrounds (such as the necklace shown on black acrylic pigment) and work over other prepared grounds (for case, the however life on the left is completed using Carandache crayon upon watered down acrylic). The jewellery boxes provide students with the opportunity to stand for 3-dimensional infinite, while the jewellery itself adds glistening, detailed focal areas within the piece of work.
Preserved animals and other specimens in jars, such as these modern still life artworks by Cindy Wright:
In addition to insects, Scientific discipline Departments often have wonderful preserved animal specimens that make for great all the same life subjects. If these are unavailable, you might wish to create your own dramatic interpretation, based on the all the same life compositions to a higher place by Cindy Wright. These works forcefulness the states to encounter the lifeless gaze of gutted fish coiled within a glass fish bowl.
Fruit and vegetables, inspired by Paul Cezanne's withal life with apples:
Fruit and vegetables are inexpensive enough that big quantities can exist purchased for classroom use, assuasive students to organise the still life arrangements themselves or in small groups. Dedicated students may bring more than unusual items from home. Although a still life comprised of fresh food is unlikely to terminal longer than a week (less inside rambunctious classrooms) vegetables such as garlic, potatoes, onions, gourds and pumpkins tin be kept for a much longer duration. There is also the opportunity to include wooden tables and other still life items in the groundwork. These famous yet life paintings past Paul Cezanne are titled 'Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier' (which means Drape, Jug and Fruit Bowl) and 'The Basket of Apples' (the lower artwork). Both still life paintings are completed using oil and canvas in the 1890s and judged past some to be among the all-time still life paintings ever.
Vintage cameras, equally in these collection of observational drawings by Yr 9 student Dougal Burden from Takapuna Grammar School:
This exercise introduces students to unlike mediums and provides experience rendering a range of different reflective, polish and faintly textured man-made surfaces. It also provides swell way to spark other Visual Art interests and share cognition well-nigh early photographic techniques.
A glass of water, such as this instance by Hanna Asfour:
Although it is virtually incommunicable for a high schoolhouse course to get to the finish of a h2o-based lesson without somebody spilling something, this exercise tin be a stunning and challenging task that really helps conquer the fright of transparent surfaces head-on. With practiced lighting, this task allows students to render the glass, h2o and the sparkling tonal variations within the shadow. A task of this nature can exist a great 1-lesson action, perhaps set as 'test' or one-off assignment.
A jug and cup of tea, with inspiration from cubist still life paintings past Juan Gris:
Afterward preparing the drawing surface with a painted ground and glued down paper (some of which may have decorative patterns that mimic wood grain or a table material, for example), students may overlay fragments of observational drawings, from slightly distorted angles, with tone softly applied n the style of Juan Gris. This constructed cubist piece was completed in 1914 using oil and mixed media and is titled 'Breakfast'.
To see other background ideas, delight read Painting on grounds: artistic apply of media for Painting students.
Hands, every bit inspired by this observational cartoon past Cath Riley:
Contemporary artist Cath Riley has produced a series of detailed, highly realistic graphite pencil drawings of easily, including many in which the hand is touching, squeezing or gripping human mankind. Hands are an accessory that students are able to set up upwardly and begin drawing immediately. Each can pose their hand in an original position and have this with them to draw from in any location. This makes hands an ideal subject for quick nonetheless life sketches.
Marbles, spheres and assurance, inspired by Pedro Campos paintings:
Well known contemporary yet life artist Pedro Campos creates hyper realistic still life paintings, such every bit the marble and golf ball oil on canvas piece of work, 'Military camp Creek', above. Drawing marbles and other spherical objects challenges students to focus all of their attending upon colour, tone and surface; capturing glistening reflections and textural variations to raise the illusion of reality.
Shells, every bit 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 measurement of work, students have produced vibrant, loftier contrast oil pastel artworks. These works were completed afterwards formally analysing the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, working outset-hand from withal life arrangements, mirrors to help generate complex compositions.
Insects, such as these stippled pen drawings upon colored wash, completed by Course xi students Emery (left) and Caleb (right) from Conway High Schoolhouse, United States, under the management of experienced Fine art teacher, Carla Owen:
Drawing insects tin be challenging, due to difficulty sourcing first-mitt imagery. Information technology is sometimes possible to buy dried and preserved insects in display cases and to use a magnifying drinking glass to make the task of observing details easier (Science Departments often have a prepare of these). The hitting examples above have been completed using black pen practical in dots (stippled) to a watercolor ground.
Potted plants, succulents and cacti, inspired by Laura Garcia Serventi'southward illustrations on Etsy:
With an appropriate selection of plants (ideally those that can survive long periods without attentive care) and interestingly shaped plant pots, this tin can course the basis of a peachy still life painting lesson plan. These works by Laura Garcia Serventi include a diverseness of contrasting found forms and flowers, with different subtle patterns, pots positioned on a dramatic tiled floor.
Metallic taps, silverware and other highly reflective objects, equally is illustrated in this video of how to draw a spoon past VamosART.
Many resources that demonstrate 'how to describe step-by-step' encourage students to depict past formula, rather than learning to run into and tape what is in front end of them. This time lapse video is very helpful, still, as it provides expert insight into how tone can be congenital up using light and night pencils on mid-tone paper.
Origami or folded paper, inspired by this observational drawings by Sean Dooley, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design:
Folding paper can create stunning shadows and a mesh of intriguing angular lines. This example is one that is included in our listing of substitute art lessons, and can involve students get-go constructing origami, before producing observational drawings in a range of different media.
Please view our list of substitute Art lessons for more ane-off drawing lessons.
Bones and skeletons, as in this example by Year eleven student Manisha Mistry, from ACG Strathallan College (delight view her full IGCSE Fine art and Design Coursework project):
Folding paper can create stunning shadows and a mesh of intriguing angular lines. This example is one that is included in our list of substitute art lessons, and can involve students starting time constructing origami, before producing observational drawings in a range of different media.
Complex interiors and window panes, as in this Henri Matisse still life:
Titled 'Still life after January Davidsz De Heem's 'La Desserte'' this painting is Matisse's interpretation of a work by seventeenth-century Dutch painter Jan Davidsz de Heem. Cartoon influences from cubism, Matisse contructs the scene using intersecting angular lines. In this exercise, the background may accept on equal importance with the central withal life, with open windows / tabular array surfaces / surrounding items becoming a prominent part of the composition. This task may as well become an 'inverted still life', where the nevertheless life arrangement is pushed into the foreground, with groundwork items helping to set the scene and tell a story.
One-time shoes and sandals, as in these examples by Vincent van Gogh:
The traditional 'still life with onetime shoe' remains a popular selection amid Art students. Shiny surfaces often dissimilarity metal buckles, twisted laces and furled edges of leather. Shoe polish and brushes can also be a not bad addition. These van Gogh still life paintings were completed using oil on canvas in the 1880s and are titled 'A pair of shoes' (tiptop) and 'Three pairs of shoes' (bottom).
Art-making equipment, such as is this example by Textiles Fine art teacher Gayle Bicknell, which was prepared as part 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 teaching example past Gayle is a graphite drawing of a single pair of scissors over a collaged background that has then been photographed and digitally manipulated.
Woodworking tools, as inspired by this instruction practice by Jaime Brett Treadwell, creative person and full-time Professor who teaches foundation courses for all AFA programs offered at Delaware County Community College including Studio Arts, Graphic Blueprint, and Photography:
In this chore, students are encouraged to ready tools upon a sheet of white paper, with a light source (such as an inexpensive table lamp) shining upon from an angle that creates interesting shadows. Students utilize a viewfinder to select a composition from the arrangement, considering the relationship between positive and negative spaces. The image is created using a range of experimental techniques, such as erasing back areas, rubbing the paper with napkins and so on. Visually pleasing tools that are scarred and battered with employ can oftentimes be sourced at low cost from 2nd hand shops (call up it is best to avert those that may cause inadvertent injury). As with above, woodworking tools are a bully subject field matter to use while studying the work of Jim Dine.
At that place are also groovy ideas for tools in this great Highcrest Fine art Department Pinterest board.
Weaving, every bit in this case by Year 11 IGCSE Fine 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 so created observational drawings from these and photocopied the weaving for subsequent tasks. Weaving drawings offering the opportunity for students to practise blending colors in a wide range of different mediums.
Musical instruments, as in this detail from a Pieter Claesz vanitas all the same life:
High school Music Departments are sometimes willing to lend instruments that can be used in still life displays; with instruments overlapping in club to create interesting shadows, as in the detail of the oil painting above by Pieter Claesz. This work is titled 'Vanitas Still Life with the Spinario' and was painted in 1628.
Yous may besides be interested in viewing this 100% AS Coursework projection based upon an brainchild of instrument still life by Year 12 Equally Art and Pattern student Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College.
Old books, such equally this example of a Dutch notwithstanding life with books completed in 1628 (artist unknown):
Cute old books can often exist purchased from second-hand shops. School English, Geography, Scientific discipline and History Departments also may have cracking old textbooks that have been discarded past past students or are no longer used. Many of these may accept educatee graphite, dates or other annotation in them that can provide welcome variety and visual interest in still life drawings and paintings of books.
String, sticks and stones, inspired by a teaching practice designed by Andrew Strachan (now teaching at ACG Senior College).
In this activity, students are presented with a collection of sticks, string and stones, and asked to create a sculpture past tying together the sticks and hanging a stone from this using the cord. Observational drawings are and then created of this, with the tension of the thin, taut string contrasting the textured wood and rock.
Still life with flowers, inspired by these Vincent van Gogh sunflowers:
A drawing of flowers can become cliché, 'pretty' or uninspiring (calculation to the endless formulaic roses, hibiscus or lily flower drawings that make full the world). Extreme intendance should be taken to guide students away from 'rote' or 'formulaic' drawing, where the bloom is drawn from memory or footstep-by-footstep co-ordinate to some predetermined blueprint, without first-hand observation of form or tone. You might choose uncommon flowers, or those that are damaged, dried or decayed, for example. Rather than in a flower pot or vase, the flowers might be scattered upon the ground, as in 'Four cut sunflowers' by van Gogh to a higher place. It is also worth noting that flower nevertheless life drawings and paintings tin can besides be a hit with family members, with many parents enthusiastically displaying flower drawings (much more and so that with some of the other withal life suggestions on this page)!
Lamps, lanterns and light bulbs, as in this charcoal drawing by Akrawczyk:
In addition to transparency and curving reflective surfaces, these nonetheless life objects often have thin wires and/or ability cords – and often emit light themselves – making them an extra challenging and heady object to depict.
Collections of pop gimmicky foodstuffs – bright packages and eye catching labels – can be used to create stunning compositions, as in this Tom Wesselmann still life. Many of these 'pop objects' take the benefit that they are packaged and long-lasting, able to be stored for some time in an Art room closet.
A cluttered desk, inspired by this Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin still life:
Although Fine art students are often masters of the cluttered desk syndrome, this task tin exist gear up inside a classroom with more purpose, so that the selected objects are role of a narrative, whereby the composition conveys a item backstory and meaning. In this Chardin notwithstanding life, titled 'The Attributes of the Arts and the Rewards Which Are Accorded Them', completed using oil on canvas, objects have been selected to correspond various artistic disciplines – painting, drawing, architecture and sculpture – and are arranged alongside a ribbon with a cross, the highest award an artist in this region and fourth dimension could apparently receive. The work was completed using oil on canvas in 1766.
A busy pinboard, as in this still life painting by Jean-François de Le Motte:
Still life arrangements can be easily pinned to classroom pinboards. This painting, completed in 1670, includes a painting within a painting, a letter of the alphabet to the artist, a printed pamphlet and an accounting booklet.
Eggs, as in this AP Studio Fine art summer consignment set by teacher Billy Hicks:
Students throughout the ages take voiced their frustration when they are set the task of applying tone to drawings of eggs, however almost all come across the value of the exercise when the work is complete. This nonetheless life activity involves a contrast of textures, with the smooth eggs resting on textured textile or crumpled newspaper towel to create a visually pleasing composition. Another variation involves drawing open egg shells, with low-cal falling beyond the concave and convex surfaces.
Rubbish / litter / discarded remains, as in this cartoon by Brittany Lee, Year x Art student at ACG Parnell Higher:
Samples of litter and other remains, such equally orange peelings, assistant skins and apple cores can make excellent still life subjects. This work was completed using black Indian and h2o on wet-strength cartridge paper. It was completed within one 60 minutes.
This cartoon lesson also featured in our list of ideas for substitute Art teachers.
Seedpods, as inspired by this observational drawing past IGCSE Fine art and Design educatee, Claire Mitchell, ACG Strathallan College (you may also like to view this Highcrest Academy Art Pinterest board for inspiration):
Seedpods come up in many intriguing organic shapes and forms. They typically last for a long time and are readily available – oft in the school thou itself.
Shirts, dresses and pall, every bit in these examples by the students of Kristy Patterson, Guymon High School:
Shirts, dresses and other wearable items, which might include coat hangers, zips, buttons, belts, buckles, items of adornment, as well every bit traditional costumes, offer the opportunity to draw draped folded cloth alongside more complex accessories, pleats, seams and textile details. In the exercise above, students produce realistic drawings of a personal item of vesture that are pinned to a display panel (the panel can be shifted aside and placed in storage until the adjacent grade).
Random objects hanging from cord, as in these graphite drawings by the students of Jaime Brett Treadwell, artist and full-time Professor who teaches foundation courses for all AFA programs offered at Delaware County Community Higher including Studio Arts, Graphic Design, and Photography:
A however life composition that is created from hanging objects has the presence of the string to create tension and linear elements, aslope unexpected shadows, angles and alignment of objects. It can as well result in dramatic gimmicky imagery, every bit students hang and explore unusual subject thing.
You may also wish to view this loftier school art projection by Nikau Hindin, which contains images derived from decaying fruit and vegetables hanging on string.
Cutlery and kitchen utensils, as in this warm-upwards drawing practice by the students of artist and teacher Julie Douglas:
This exercise is one of the most challenging on this list. The still life drawing combines reflective surface, convex and concave forms with small-scale details and knotted string.
This work was earlier featured in How to Create an first-class Observational Drawing: 11 Tips for High School Art Students.
Did y'all savour this list? Please share information technology with other Art teachers and students that you know!
Amiria has been an Art & Design instructor and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for 7 years, responsible for the course design and assessment of student work in two loftier-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (Kickoff Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Instruction. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.
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