Art

Still Life

A still life is a work of art that shows objects that are either natural (food, flowers, plants, rocks, shells) or man-made (drinking glasses, books, vases, jewellery, coins, pipes).

As sadly we are unable to actually go on a gallery visit at the moment we will have to pretend that we are walking around one. On that note I would like you to take a look at a range of gallery exhibits and view the important pieces of work by a range of significant artists using the picture slide show below. 

As you look at these pictures think about the subject matter, colour, composition and texture. You can use the 'Evaluating Artwork' document to support you in your conversations about the Art.

Then after visiting our virtual gallery, take a look at the 'Information about gallery exhibits' to learn a little bit more about the pictures you like most. 

Task One

Choose your favourite picture and have a go at copying it to make a detailed sketch.

Task Two

WALT: Describe similarities and differences between artwork on a common theme.

Use the Still life presentation to explore the features and common themes of still life art. These include food, everyday objects, flowers, and the passing of time.

Some significant still life artists include Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Cornelis Gijsbrechts, Roy Lichtenstein and Georges Braque.

Choose one of the 'Similarities and Differences' sheets below to complete. ‘What similarities and differences did you find between the two pieces of work you studied?’

Task Three

WALT: Identify and mix secondary colours.

Each of the pictures in the colour study below has a copy of the whole painting, then a small, zoomed in part of each picture. Look carefully at the pictures for the colour details in each zoomed in section.

What colours has the artist used?

Is the use of colour realistic?

How has the artist applied the paint?

How many shades of red, yellow or blue can you see?

How do you think the artist has made darker or lighter shades of each colour?

Choose one Colour Study recoding sheet to complete. Using paints, carefully mix together the colours to try to match them with the original artwork.

Task Four

Using your colour mixing skills from last lesson, have a go at creating a Wassily inspired circle picture. Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian abstract artist well-known for his use of colours and shapes. Here are some examples of his paintings.

Open up the pdf file below for some more information about this famous artist and instructions for your task.

Task Five

WALT: Draw, paint and sculpt natural forms from observation, imagination and memory.

Look about your house to find some objects that represent you. I have included a list of objects below that are commonly used in still life work. When you are choosing an object, think about what words you would use to describe its form, texture, pattern and colour.

When you have selected your objects, you have three options.

1. Drawing task

* Pick one object and sketch it carefully, concentrating on form and texture.

* Turn the object and draw another sketch from a different angle.

* Continue until you have filled your paper with sketches of your object.

2. Painting task

* Pick one object and write down all the colours you can see in your object at the top of your paper.

* Draw a faint outline of the object in pencil.

* Mix different shades of powder paint to match the colours of your object.

* Paint your picture.

3. Sculpture task (Play dough required)

* Pick an object and look at it carefully from all angles, feel the texture of the surface and look for markings and patterns. * Take a piece of play dough and form the shape of the object carefully.

* Hold your play dough work near to the object as you work to check that the shape is right from all angles.

* When you are happy with the form, use some tools (cocktail stick, lolly stick etc) and other objects to add texture to your sculpture.