Spring is here! We have another sketchbook session lined up for you at the end of happening on the last Thursday morning of the month. The morning classes are a type of drop in class, if you have a little experience this is ideal for you. To enrol in this class, join the weekly newsletter.
This month, we will immerse ourselves in the fascinating world of still life drawing and painting.
As always, I encourage you to explore both traditional and abstract techniques. Whether you prefer to create a classic still life or an abstract piece with vibrant backgrounds or collage techniques, this class is an excellent opportunity to express your creativity.
Be inspired by a Simple Still Life
Still life artwork captures the essence of everyday objects, allowing us to practice composition and observation. In this class, we will work with a carefully arranged still life setup, likely including a selection of fruits, flowers, or common items. This will be a small study rather than a great big group study. Be inspired perhaps by other artists, check out the link below for online inspiration.
This setup provides a chance for you to study form, contrast, and texture. For example, working with a grouping of apples and oranges lets you observe the differences in colour, shape, and shine. The play of light and shadow presents an ideal exercise to enhance your observational drawing skills. As you engage with the still life, you may find new inspirations that encourage you to experiment with one or two different art materials.
Traditional vs. Abstract Approaches
As you consider how to approach your painting or drawing, weigh the benefits of traditional and abstract styles.
If you choose the traditional path, focus on accurately replicating the forms and colours of the objects in front of you. For instance, painting the rich green of a pear or the bright yellow of a lemon can be rewarding as you learn to capture detail and life in your subject.
On the other hand, if you lean towards the abstract direction, explore how you can express emotions and concepts using shapes, colours, and textures. For example, using bold brush strokes and unconventional colours can transform a simple flower into a powerful statement piece. Choose a method that you feel you would like to have a go at.
The Benefits of Working with Collage
Incorporating collage elements into your still life artwork adds dimension and creativity. Think about layering paper, fabric, or other textures that complement your painting or drawing. This technique encourages experimentation, allowing you to break free from traditional formats.
For instance, adding snippets of magazine pages or colourful tissue paper can create a vibrant background that enhances your still life. Collage not only adds texture but can also represent your personal narrative or emotions. So, bring along some materials you’d like to use, and we will explore how to weave these elements into your art.
What to expect in Class:
In the previous 2 sketchbook sessions the class has enjoyed working and chatting together to get inspired by what they have done or what they might do. This can be really rewarding as you are then sharing skills. You do not need to have attended a previous sketchbook session, start a new one!
Join Us for a Fun and Inspiring Morning
Hope you can make it along, full details of what to bring will be in the Thursday weekly, newsletter
LINKS
See the previous blog posts on the Sketchbook themes and here January Sketchbook theme
Check out what we created in the last sketchbook courses here
Hope you can join us, best wishes Jane
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