Found Object Color Wheel & Still Life: Week 2 of 2

by Elizabeth Van Allen for scribblesbyartteachervanallen.blogspot.com 

Drawing a still life requires that
 you look directly at the objects,
not draw them from memory.

This 2-part lesson is suggested for grades 4-5 e-learning, homeschool, or in the traditional classroom.  Part 1 can be done with all ages and part 2 is suggested for grades 3 and up.  This lesson was Modified from an original lesson by Ms. Hartnett from Shore Elementary School in Tampa, FL.  To see her original lesson, find her on youtube here!

Find week 1 of 
this lesson here.

WEEK 2: THE STILL LIFE

Create a fun still life by drawing objects you collected for your found object color wheel!

VOCABULARY:

Composition - the placement or arrangement of visual elements or 'ingredients' in a work of art

Still Life - A still-life is a picture of objects that don’t move. Often vases, bowls of fruit, bottles, etc.  The artist sets up a still-life usually in the studio to do a ‘study’ of the objects.  It may be a drawing or a painting.  The artist looks at the objects and studies their shape, where the light falls, and the shadows the objects make in relation to the other objects.

 DIRECTIONS

1.  After you have taken a picture of your color wheel, choose 3 or more objects that you would like to draw together and set them aside.

2.  CLEAN UP your color wheel by putting back your color wheel objects EXACTLY WHERE YOU FOUND THEM

3.  Arrange the objects you set aside into a composition that you find pleasing.  Groupings of odd numbers , even numbered groupings arranged in a diamond shape, and having taller objects in the back and smaller ones in the front are traditional ways to make your composition look  great!

4.  Start drawing your objects by sketching them lightly in pencil, paying attention to the simple shapes that most closely resemble your items.  (example: when drawing a can of soup, you could start with a tall rectangle) Don’t forget to sketch in your background, and make sure you fill in the whole paper- make those objects nice and big on your paper!

5.  Once your objects are sketched in as simple shapes, start refining the edges and adding bigger details.(example: if you started your can of soup as a rectangle, make the top edge into a flattened oval/elipse and the bottom edge into a curve)

6.  The next step is drawing in the details on your objects.  (example: what is on the soup can’s label? Are the top and bottom edges a little wider than the rest of the can?  If you are including words, don’t forget to show the curve of the can by curving the words!)

7.  If available, start adding color.  If you have no color available, try shading with a pencil or pen!  Pay close attention to your lighting.  Is one side of your objects lighter or darker than the other?  Are there any shadows?  What direction are they going in?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS 

for after you finish creating your still life:

1.    When creating this still life, what was the easiest part for you?

2.    When creating this still life, what was the most difficult part for you?

3.    How did you work your way through the tough parts?

4.    How do you feel about the finished project?

SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS

VA.K.S.3.1, VA.1.S.3.1, VA.2.S.3.1, VA.3.S.3.1, VA.4.S.3.1, VA.5.S.3.1

RESOURCES

For even more detailed instructions about how to draw a still life: 
(lots of pop-up ads, but good info)

https://feltmagnet.com/drawing/How-to-Draw-Still-Life
Some images are from: 
http://www.artstudioguelph.com/still-life-composition/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usmpfAO18Io

http://www.artstudioguelph.com/still-life-composition/

http://kalliethornberry.blogspot.com/2009/05/easy-still-life-for-elementary-kids.html