Still Life, Made and Natural Forms

This was the most enjoyable exercise so far, although I still found it very challenging. The first part using man made objects gave me some problems, as initially I couldn't decide on a group of themed objects which would make a composition I was happy with. I tried some very basic studies with packets and boxes from the kitchen cupboard but wasn't happy with them, so tried something a bit more interesting using ceramic objects.


I finally disregarded the garlic pot and settled on 3 small jugs, one rustic and highly glazed (like slip wear) a delicate porcelain, and a Mason Cash measuring jug.


These provided a range of surfaces and allowed more interesting use of light and reflection, and although the shapes were similar they were quite distinct. I liked the shape made between the lips of the two larger jugs, which I found exciting, and it gave a formality to the composition, contrasting with the smaller jug, carelessly lying on it's side. I think the composition is fairly solid, but I wished after I hadn't drawn it in my sketchbook, as it would have been better larger! I realised after although I didn't make sketches of all the positions I tried, I spent a long time looking at the subjects and thought a lot about how I would best place them. I used pencil as a thought it would suit the subject matter best.

The still life with natural objects I thought I'd find a lot easier but, again, choosing the objects was hard, I began with a dried poppy head, stone and clove of garlic, but they did not "work" so I revised how I was doing the exercise.


My sketches were too detailed so I kept the garlic, plus a field mushroom and a pepper and did a series of very quick sketches in different placements to show the tonal values and light. I then chose A2 paper! and pencil, because I wanted to see how I would manage using it on such a huge (for me) paper!


I chose the final composition as I wanted to show the intricacy of the gills and how the light reflected on them giving small shadows, even in the direct light from the window. I liked the texture of the mushroom, which was a little bruised and battered, against the smooth, sinuous, almost perfect form of the pepper, and the papery, crisp skin of the garlic clove.

I enjoyed drawing the natural objects more, but made was much more fun than I had expected, because of the lessons I've already learnt. Changing the composition and considering shape, form, structure, tonal values, light and reflections helped a great deal in expressing the form of both types of objects. I do prefer the natural world, and personally, find it easier to express this three dimensionally. I have previously veered away from the made, but it is now becoming a more interesting and attractive option because of the lessons I am learning. I think I will always be drawn to natural objects though!