High school Art students are frequently required to produce still life drawings or paintings inside the confines of a busy classroom. Almost Art Departments have cupboards crammed full of visually interesting objects that can be used to create withal life arrangements. This article lists still life ideas for teachers or students who are stuck or in need of inspiration. The collection includes tried and true favourites that have been used by Art teachers for generations, as well equally more unusual and contemporary yet life topics.
What is a still life? Here is a definition provided by Wikipedia:
A work of art depicting more often than not inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or human being-fabricated
While senior Fine art students are usually free to come upward with their own topic or theme (read our article how to come up up with cracking subject affair for your Fine art project) many middle school or junior loftier school students are required to work with objects and scenes that see the following criteria:
Viewable showtime-hand
Visually interesting, with a range of different textures, reflections, surfaces and forms
Minor enough to set upwardly and conform in the classroom (light, easily moveable)
Able to arranged in different means, creating original compositions so that multiple exciting works tin be created
Durable plenty 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 withal life can be fatigued within a single lesson or photographed for completion at a later engagement)
Advisable for younger students to view (i.due east. not offensive)
This manufactures includes bully work by students too as famous still life artists. It is a piece of work in progress, with many more ideas to be added over time!
50+ Yet Life Cartoon Ideas
Popcorn, as in these original still life artworks by Po Yuan (left) and Betty Chen (right), students of Elizabeth Jendek, Thai Chinese International Schoolhouse, Samutprakarn, Thailand:
Although there is a distinct possibility that a number of even so life items might mysteriously 'disappear' during the form of this lesson, popcorn provides an first-class opportunity for practising the application of tone. Completed in charcoal, these large works create a kind of semi-bathetic landscapes and require careful attention to light and shadow.
Crumpled paper bags, such every bit this work by xviii year old artist Raegan Koepsel:
Crunched and creased paper bags create dramatic shadows and provide an first-class opportunity to learn about tone. This is a great subject to draw with charcoal on mid-tone grey or brown paper. In this example, the paper bags have been twisted in dissimilar ways and carefully contrasted with a background of corrugated cardboard.
Styrofoam cups, equally inspired by this activeness by the DC Sketchers:
This is an excellent drawing activeness to help students sympathize how to represent ellipses (the oval shape that is visible when a circle is viewed from bending). The hollow truncated cones get surrounded by shadows and cute pockets of curving negative space, creating a superb notwithstanding life drawing lesson. Photo courtesy East City Fine art.
For more about drawing ellipses, please read eleven tips for improving your observational drawing.
Machinery and mechanical parts, such as onetime sewing machines, disassembled clocks, cogs/wheels and typewriters, inspired by this drawing from Parkway North High School, Us, taught past Art teacher and creative person Grant Kniffen:
When the inner workings of mechanical items are exposed, there are frequently endless opportunities for art-making. In this observational cartoon, the complex letter keys, crunched paper and detailed ink ribbon contrast the polish surfaces of the typewriter and tabletop.
Many loftier school Art projects inside New Zealand are based effectually the beach and coastline. Items such as rope, floats, hooks, anchors, driftwood and angling nets provide an excellent subject matter for still life works due to the variety of shapes, forms, patterns and surface textures. The items are normally large and substantial plenty that a nonetheless life arrangement in the centre of the room can exist viewed easily past all students. These two works by American Pop artist, Roy Lichtenstein, 'Cape Cod Still life' and 'Cape Cod Still Life (Study)' show nets and rope entangled around an driftwood and shells. The lesser work is an oil and Magna (a brand of acrylic resin paint) completed in 1972, with a drawn limerick report above.
Fish, crustaceans and other seafood, such as these loftier school still life paintings from an IGCSE Art Test by Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College:
Still life paintings of fish and other sea creatures can make for an exciting lesson – especially when the real items are slapped onto the middle of tables in the Art room (it may exist worth checking out where these tin exist stored in between class – staff rooms may have space in the freezer)!
Science equipment, inspired by this pencil nevertheless life from a student of Grant Kniffen at Parkway N Loftier School, United States:
Drawing exercises such every bit this can be a great style for making connections between other subject areas within the schoolhouse. In this instance, it might exist possible to mimic a scientific experiment that students are currently learning most. Note the stunning limerick in this work, with the combination of slightly curving textbook images and text providing an appropriate groundwork to the detailed 3-dimensional microscope.
Wooden mannequins, as in these black and white still life drawings by Grade 10 and Grade 11 students from Conway High School, United States, taught past Carla Owen. Jeff (left), Dylan (centre) and Nathan (correct):
Wooden mannequins tin be great nonetheless life additions, posed as if the figure is interacting / responding to its environment. In this however life cartoon lesson, varied line weight has been used to create depth and create focal areas within the work.
For more line drawing examples, please read our comprehensive Line Drawing Guide for Art Students.
Armchairs, chairs or stools, every bit in this instance by Daniel E. Munoz-Vidal:
Art classes may only take access to mundane stools. Sometimes, yet, an Art instructor volition acquire an old chair, sofa or carved wooden chair that can become a permanent addition to still life collection. In this well equanimous drawing, chairs and tables take been positioned and then that their forms intersect and slice upward the folio.
Dolls, train sets and other toys, such as this observational cartoon of a teddy deport completed as part of an AQA GCSE Art and Design projection student by Holly Reynolds from Male monarch Edward VI Campsite Hill School For Girls:
Still life paintings of toys are a popular selection amongst middle and high schoolhouse Art students. Although there can be risks with drawing drawing-similar toys, or those with distorted proportions (it can exist difficult for an examiner to tell whether the drawing is desperately proportioned rather than the toy itself, for example) items such equally old and broken dolls, ancient teddy bears and intricate train sets make fantabulous all the same life fabric. This A3 cartoon past 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 every bit the famous Giorgio Morandi notwithstanding life drawings, etchings and paintings:
Giorgio Morandi, a famous notwithstanding life artist who died in 1964, is well known for his deceptively simple nonetheless 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 information technology were a sculptural entity: a formal exploration of space and form. His paintings in particular take a subtle use of tone. The 1928 etching higher up, titled "Grande natura morta con la lampada a destra", may inspire students to produce pen drawings that have a similar cross-hatching aesthetic.
Empty boxes, inspired by a drawing practice completed by a student of Nicole Havekost:
Boxes provide a great contemporary notwithstanding life objects. At first glance boxes seem simple to draw; they are comprised of primarily direct lines, flat planes, with picayune detail; nevertheless, this task demands a good 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 be presented as a quick still life gesture drawing or a meticulous, detailed observation of angles, planes, light and grade.
Jewellery and treasure boxes, as in these still life paintings past IGCSE Art and Design student, Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College:
This work was produced within several cartoon lessons that asked students to produce still life paintings with night backgrounds (such as the necklace shown on blackness acrylic paint) and work over other prepared grounds (for example, the still life on the left is completed using Carandache crayon upon watered downward acrylic). The jewellery boxes provide students with the opportunity to represent iii-dimensional space, while the jewellery itself adds glistening, detailed focal areas inside the piece of work.
Preserved animals and other specimens in jars, such as these modernistic still life artworks by Cindy Wright:
In addition to insects, Science Departments often take wonderful preserved animal specimens that brand for dandy nevertheless life subjects. If these are unavailable, you might wish to create your own dramatic interpretation, based on the still life compositions above past Cindy Wright. These works force u.s. to meet the lifeless gaze of gutted fish coiled inside a drinking glass fish bowl.
Fruit and vegetables, inspired by Paul Cezanne's withal life with apples:
Fruit and vegetables are inexpensive enough that large quantities can be purchased for classroom utilize, assuasive students to organise the still life arrangements themselves or in small groups. Dedicated students may bring more unusual items from home. Although a notwithstanding life comprised of fresh food is unlikely to last 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. There is also the opportunity to include wooden tables and other nevertheless life items in the background. These famous even so life paintings by Paul Cezanne are titled 'Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier' (which means Curtain, Jug and Fruit Basin) and 'The Basket of Apples' (the lower artwork). Both withal life paintings are completed using oil and canvas in the 1890s and judged by some to be amongst the best notwithstanding life paintings ever.
Vintage cameras, as in these collection of observational drawings by Year 9 student Dougal Burden from Takapuna Grammar Schoolhouse:
This practice introduces students to unlike mediums and provides feel rendering a range of different reflective, shine and faintly textured man-made surfaces. It as well provides great fashion to spark other Visual Art interests and share knowledge about early photographic techniques.
A glass of water, such equally this example past Hanna Asfour:
Although it is virtually incommunicable for a high schoolhouse class to get to the end of a h2o-based lesson without somebody spilling something, this exercise can be a stunning and challenging chore that really helps conquer the fear of transparent surfaces caput-on. With good lighting, this task allows students to return the glass, water and the sparkling tonal variations within the shadow. A task of this nature tin be a neat ane-lesson action, perhaps ready every bit 'test' or one-off assignment.
A jug and cup of tea, with inspiration from cubist still life paintings by Juan Gris:
After preparing the drawing surface with a painted footing and glued downwardly paper (some of which may have decorative patterns that mimic wood grain or a tabular array cloth, for example), students may overlay fragments of observational drawings, from slightly distorted angles, with tone softly applied n the style of Juan Gris. This synthetic cubist piece was completed in 1914 using oil and mixed media and is titled 'Breakfast'.
To see other background ideas, please read Painting on grounds: artistic use of media for Painting students.
Hands, as inspired past this observational cartoon by Cath Riley:
Contemporary creative person Cath Riley has produced a series of detailed, highly realistic graphite pencil drawings of hands, including many in which the hand is touching, squeezing or gripping homo flesh. Hands are an accessory that students are able to set up up and begin drawing immediately. Each tin pose their mitt in an original position and have this with them to draw from in any location. This makes hands an ideal subject for quick notwithstanding life sketches.
Marbles, spheres and balls, inspired by Pedro Campos paintings:
Well known contemporary still life creative person Pedro Campos creates hyper realistic still life paintings, such as the marble and golf brawl oil on canvas piece of work, 'Army camp Creek', to a higher place. Drawing marbles and other spherical objects challenges students to focus all of their attention 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 right): 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 energy of a high school Fine art classroom. In this stunning unit of work, students have produced vibrant, loftier contrast oil pastel artworks. These works were completed subsequently formally analysing the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, working starting time-hand from still life arrangements, mirrors to help generate complex compositions.
Insects, such as these stippled pen drawings upon colored wash, completed past Grade 11 students Emery (left) and Caleb (right) from Conway High School, Us, nether the direction of experienced Art teacher, Carla Owen:
Drawing insects can be challenging, due to difficulty sourcing commencement-hand imagery. Information technology is sometimes possible to purchase dried and preserved insects in display cases and to use a magnifying drinking glass to make the task of observing details easier (Science Departments oft have a set of these). The striking examples above have been completed using blackness pen practical in dots (stippled) to a watercolor ground.
Potted plants, succulents and cacti, inspired by Laura Garcia Serventi's illustrations on Etsy:
With an appropriate selection of plants (ideally those that can survive long periods without circumspect intendance) and interestingly shaped plant pots, this tin grade the basis of a great still life painting lesson program. These works by Laura Garcia Serventi include a diverseness of contrasting plant forms and flowers, with unlike 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 past VamosART.
Many resources that demonstrate 'how to draw step-past-footstep' encourage students to describe by formula, rather than learning to encounter and tape what is in front of them. This time lapse video is very helpful, yet, equally information technology provides good insight into how tone can be built up using calorie-free and nighttime pencils on mid-tone newspaper.
Origami or folded paper, inspired past this observational drawings by Sean Dooley, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design:
Folding paper tin can create stunning shadows and a mesh of intriguing athwart lines. This example is one that is included in our list of substitute art lessons, and tin can involve students first constructing origami, before producing observational drawings in a range of different media.
Please view our list of substitute Fine art lessons for more one-off drawing lessons.
Bones and skeletons, as in this example by Year 11 student Manisha Mistry, from ACG Strathallan College (please view her full IGCSE Art and Blueprint Coursework project):
Folding paper can create stunning shadows and a mesh of intriguing angular lines. This case is 1 that is included in our list of substitute art lessons, and can involve students first amalgam origami, before producing observational drawings in a range of different media.
Complex interiors and window panes, as in this Henri Matisse all the same life:
Titled 'Nevertheless life after Jan Davidsz De Heem's 'La Desserte'' this painting is Matisse's interpretation of a work by seventeenth-century Dutch painter January Davidsz de Heem. Drawing influences from cubism, Matisse contructs the scene using intersecting athwart lines. In this exercise, the background may have on equal importance with the central still life, with open windows / table surfaces / surrounding items becoming a prominent part of the composition. This task may also become an 'inverted nonetheless life', where the however life arrangement is pushed into the foreground, with background items helping to set the scene and tell a story.
Quondam shoes and sandals, equally in these examples by Vincent van Gogh:
The traditional 'still life with erstwhile shoe' remains a pop option among Art students. Shiny surfaces often dissimilarity metallic buckles, twisted laces and furled edges of leather. Shoe polish and brushes can as well be a dandy addition. These van Gogh yet life paintings were completed using oil on canvas in the 1880s and are titled 'A pair of shoes' (top) and 'Three pairs of shoes' (bottom).
Fine art-making equipment, such every bit is this example by Textiles Art teacher Gayle Bicknell, which was prepared as role of a lesson for her BTEC art class at Alton College, 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 example by 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 exercise by Jaime Brett Treadwell, artist and total-time Professor who teaches foundation courses for all AFA programs offered at Delaware Canton Community Higher including Studio Arts, Graphic Design, and Photography:
In this job, students are encouraged to set tools upon a sheet of white newspaper, with a calorie-free source (such as an inexpensive table lamp) shining upon from an angle that creates interesting shadows. Students utilise a viewfinder to select a limerick from the arrangement, considering the human relationship between positive and negative spaces. The epitome 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 second manus shops (remember it is all-time to avoid those that may cause inadvertent injury). Equally with in a higher place, woodworking tools are a great subject matter to use while studying the work of Jim Dine.
There are also corking ideas for tools in this great Highcrest Fine art Department Pinterest board.
Weaving, every bit in this example by Yr 11 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 wide range of different mediums.
Musical instruments, equally in this detail from a Pieter Claesz vanitas yet life:
High schoolhouse Music Departments are sometimes willing to lend instruments that tin can be used in still life displays; with instruments overlapping in order 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.
You may also exist interested in viewing this 100% AS Coursework project based upon an abstraction of instrument still life by Year 12 Equally Art and Design student Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College.
Erstwhile books, such as this example of a Dutch still life with books completed in 1628 (creative person unknown):
Beautiful sometime books can often be purchased from second-paw shops. School English, Geography, Science and History Departments besides may take bang-up former textbooks that have been discarded by by students or are no longer used. Many of these may have student graphite, dates or other note in them that can provide welcome variety and visual interest in however life drawings and paintings of books.
String, sticks and stones, inspired by a pedagogy exercise designed by Andrew Strachan (now 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 cord. Observational drawings are then created of this, with the tension of the thin, taut cord contrasting the textured wood and stone.
Withal life with flowers, inspired past these Vincent van Gogh sunflowers:
A drawing of flowers can become cliché, 'pretty' or uninspiring (adding to the endless formulaic roses, hibiscus or lily flower drawings that fill the world). Farthermost intendance should exist 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 design, without first-hand observation of class or tone. You might choose uncommon flowers, or those that are damaged, dried or decayed, for case. Rather than in a flower pot or vase, the flowers might be scattered upon the basis, as in 'Four cut sunflowers' by van Gogh higher up. It is as well worth noting that flower still life drawings and paintings can too be a hit with family members, with many parents enthusiastically displaying flower drawings (much more so that with some of the other yet life suggestions on this folio)!
Lamps, lanterns and low-cal bulbs, as in this charcoal drawing by Akrawczyk:
In addition to transparency and curving reflective surfaces, these yet life objects often have thin wires and/or power cords – and often emit light themselves – making them an extra challenging and exciting object to draw.
Collections of popular gimmicky foodstuffs – bright packages and eye catching labels – can exist 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 exist stored for some time in an Art room closet.
A cluttered desk, inspired by this Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin yet life:
Although Art students are oft masters of the cluttered desk syndrome, this task can exist ready within a classroom with more purpose, then that the selected objects are office of a narrative, whereby the composition conveys a particular backstory and meaning. In this Chardin however life, titled 'The Attributes of the Arts and the Rewards Which Are Accorded Them', completed using oil on sail, objects have been selected to stand for various creative 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 sail in 1766.
A busy pinboard, as in this withal life painting by Jean-François de Le Motte:
Still life arrangements tin be hands pinned to classroom pinboards. This painting, completed in 1670, includes a painting within a painting, a letter to the artist, a printed pamphlet and an accounting booklet.
Eggs, as in this AP Studio Art summer assignment prepare by teacher Baton Hicks:
Students throughout the ages have voiced their frustration when they are ready the task of applying tone to drawings of eggs, withal about all see the value of the exercise when the piece of work is consummate. This still life action involves a contrast of textures, with the shine eggs resting on textured fabric or crumpled paper towel to create a visually pleasing limerick. Another variation involves drawing open egg shells, with lite falling across the concave and convex surfaces.
Rubbish / litter / discarded remains, equally in this drawing past Brittany Lee, Year ten Art student at ACG Parnell College:
Samples of litter and other remains, such as orangish peelings, assistant skins and apple cores can make splendid still life subjects. This work was completed using black Indian and water on wet-force cartridge paper. Information technology was completed inside one hour.
This drawing lesson as well featured in our list of ideas for substitute Fine art teachers.
Seedpods, every bit inspired by this observational cartoon by IGCSE Art and Design educatee, Claire Mitchell, ACG Strathallan Higher (yous may too similar to view this Highcrest University Art Pinterest lath for inspiration):
Seedpods come up in many intriguing organic shapes and forms. They typically last for a long time and are readily bachelor – ofttimes in the schoolhouse chiliad itself.
Shirts, dresses and drapery, equally in these examples past the students of Kristy Patterson, Guymon High School:
Shirts, dresses and other vesture items, which might include coat hangers, zips, buttons, belts, buckles, items of adornment, as well equally traditional costumes, offer the opportunity to describe draped folded material aslope more complex accessories, pleats, seams and fabric details. In the exercise higher up, students produce realistic drawings of a personal item of clothing that are pinned to a display console (the panel can be shifted aside and placed in storage until the next class).
Random objects hanging from string, as 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 County Community College including Studio Arts, Graphic Design, and Photography:
A still 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 likewise result in dramatic gimmicky imagery, equally students hang and explore unusual subject area thing.
You may also wish to view this high schoolhouse 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-up cartoon do by the students of artist and instructor Julie Douglas:
This practise is one of the most challenging on this listing. The still life drawing combines reflective surface, convex and concave forms with small details and knotted string.
This piece of work was before featured in How to Create an splendid Observational Drawing: 11 Tips for High School Fine art Students.
Did yous relish this list? Please share it with other Art teachers and students that you know!
Amiria has been an Fine art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for vii years, responsible for the form design and assessment of pupil work in two high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Available of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Form Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Educational activity. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Pattern Coursework Assessor.
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