Introduction to Still-life Painting I

In week one, Tina will take you through the history of the still-life painting genre. You will explore the hidden messages and symbolism behind still-life objects. Then, Tina will teach you the rules of pictorial composition.

In week two, you will analyze still-life paintings by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Merritt Chase, Emil Carlsen, and William Nicholson. Tina will demonstrate how to create small value studies of the master paintings.

In week three, Tina will begin by showing you how to arrange a still-life setup within a shadow box. Then, she will introduce you to her color palette and show you how to create a color study as a preparatory step for the final still-life painting.

In week four, you will learn how to create a transfer drawing for your final still-life painting. You will practice keeping your lines graphic and leaving out small details. Then, Tina will show you the process of transferring the drawing to a prepared canvas with imprimatura.

In week five, Tina will teach you how to create an underpainting for your still-life project using raw umber. You will learn to thin out the paint pigment using spike oil; from there, slowly build up the values of the background and objects.

In week six, you will learn to block in a still-life painting starting from the background. Tina will use a big brush to lay in the first layer of shadows, mid-tones, and lights.

In week seven, Tina will continue to develop her still-life painting. You will practice making adjustments to the drawing, colors, and values. Tina will show you how to develop edge quality and create atmospheric perspective.

In week eight, Tina will teach you how to continue to refine your still-life painting. You will learn to use thin glazes to unify some color temperatures. Tina will show you how she takes time to define the shapes of the objects, build contrast, describe lighting gradation, and adjust colors.

In week nine, you will learn to complete your still-life painting. Tina will show you how to add final details and make last-minute adjustments.