How To Get Ideas For a Still Life!

How do I get started setting up a still life??
      One way to get ideas is to look at what other artists have painted, preferably the "the Masters" from history or the successful artists of today.  Go to museums and the shows they put on, check out books from the library and go to art exhibits in your areas.  Take a small notebook to write down what other artists have done.  Check your Critique List , last post here, and see how they handle the techniques listed.
     Another way is to look in magazines that show foods, interior design and advertisements.  Again, check your Critique List and see how they handle negative space, repetitive shapes and colors, etc.
     Thirdly, check out books on design.  Some basic rules may help you set up a still-life with your own favorite objects that you have collected.
     Last, have your camera ready so you can take pictures of your favorite setups.  Saving a favorite setup will help free you up to move objects around so you can find that arrangement that is just right.
Now you are ready to start and don't forget to have fun!

Building a Critique List!

What is a Critique List?
        A critique list is a list of techniques and/or art vocabulary that you can use to view your art and perhaps make it better or help you get "unstuck".  Think of words or phrases that you have learned from art classes, articles, when viewing art and when talking with other artists, write them down.  This is an on going draft that can be edited at any time.
     My list consists of some of these words or phrases:
           -Lost and found lines
           -Check values
           -Repetition of shapes and color
           -Interesting positive and negative shapes

(Keep listing to about 7 items to start or just the ones you can think of.)

In this piece of mine," Pink Tulips ", I was aware of several items on my list and not all on the list applied:
       -Check values
       -Interesting positive and negative space
       -Check composition (use of space)
       -Repetition of shapes and colors

When you have your own Critique List, it comes in handy when you don't have another artist or teacher available.  I've made several copies to have a list by my computer, in my studio, in my art bag and purse.  Most of the time you can figure out what to do next when doing art,  yourself!    https://www.etsy.com/people/juliefisher3?ref=si_pr 

Small Artwork With Watercolor and Colored Pencil

My work of late are pieces 8x10 and smaller.  The "Glass and Berries" was part of my glass studies.  This was done in watercolor.  I find many of my objects to paint at estate and garage sales.  They have to catch my attention and I need to handle them to observe textures and colors.  They need to reach out to me personally or the painting process won't go well. I was pleased with the completed reflections and the "see-through" impression.  I learned a lot painting this one!

M & Ms and Milk

This piece had a vintage pitcher, juice glass and plate. These are some of my favorite things, including the m & ms and milk.

Title: M & Ms and Milk

Size: 11x14 (image & mat)

Frame will be included.

Medium: Colored Pencil

Purchase: contact me at

www.jfisherstudio@netscape.net

Spring Pink Tulips

These small, beautiful pink tulips caught my eye and I bought them. I spent the morning photographing them in several set-ups and this is the result of one. I was able to use the light from my north facing windows to get some soft light. I was able to make the flowers, pitcher and creamer to pop and still show the gentle flow of the lace tablecloth.

Title: Spring Pink Tulips

Size: 25x29 (includes custom mat and frame)

Purchase: contact me at www.jfisherstudio@netscape.net

Medium: Watercolor

Brown and White

This is a colored pencil piece with brown and white eggs on a vintage egg plate. I loved the soft yellow of the plate and the design was devine! I couldn't resist setting them on an older rug with similar colors.

Title: Brown and White

Size: 16x18 (includes matt & Frame)

Purchase: Contact me at www.jfisherstudio@netscape.net

Medium: Colored Pencil

Daily Paintings

Daily paintings are pieces I try to finish in a day or two. The sizes vary from 4"x4" to 8"x10" which is the image and the matt.

My husband and I were up there on our motorcycles and it was a beautiful day. We parked my bike and I rode with Mark around the park so I could get some photos.

This piece has colored pencil on top of watercolor.

Title: Garden of the Gods
Size: 6x6 with a 1" white matt
Purchase at: www.etsy.com/shop/juliefisher3