Whenever I teach my still life oil painting class I do a quick demo. I try to show the students the techniques that will help them do a successful painting. Often they don’t see the same things I do, and while I’m painting they become aware of the things they didn’t see before. Obviously, this is not a finished work. My technique is to find shapes of colors and values, then put them together like a jigsaw puzzle. Another thing I see is the different type of light – the bowl has light on the right side that is a blue tint. It is a reflection of the sky coming in from the window. On the left side is yellow light from the indoor bulbs. The metal cup reflects different light values, and they are indicated by long stripes down it. The shadow to the right of the bowl is a light blue-violet.
Comments on Classroom Demo
Your technique of painting shapes and values is fascinating! I am always amazed when the “jigsaw puzzle” becomes real objects.
I loved seeing the colors you explained that you used. It is so interesting to see through an artist’s eyes at the many colors in an object that we just think is one color.