Still Life Drawing and Painting
Domain 6: Still Life Drawing and Painting
This domain tests observation, proportion, light logic and medium control using arranged objects. Expect questions on measuring, ellipse construction, the parts of a shadow, and the difference between drawing what you know and drawing what you see.
Setup and measurement
Choose a simple group with one dominant light source, varied shapes and clear overlap. Squint to see value masses. Measure with a pencil or thumb: compare width to height, check alignments and use negative shapes. Build an envelope, then axes, then contours. For a cylinder, the top and bottom are ellipses; the minor axis is vertical, and the ellipse becomes rounder as the object approaches eye level. Do not point the ends.
Light and form
Every form has highlight, halftone, core shadow, reflected light and cast shadow; occlusion shadow is the dark contact where objects meet. Reflected light is never as light as the halftone. Edges vary: hard at the core shadow, soft in turning areas. Drapery folds have tension points and valleys.
Media
Graphite suits tonal studies; charcoal gives rapid darks and soft edges; watercolour needs reserved whites and layered washes; opaque poster colour can be corrected; oil and acrylic allow impasto and glazing.
Worked example
For a mug below eye level, the top opening is visible as an ellipse. Draw the body as a vertical cylinder, set the top ellipse's width equal to the body, curve it upward at the back, then place the cast shadow opposite the light. Reasoning: eye level above the rim lets you see inside; the ellipse's curvature follows perspective.
Traps
Do not outline; do not make both ellipse ends sharp; do not place the cast shadow on the light side; do not omit reflected light or contact shadow.