Still Life Paintings Enrapture
There is no real requirement for subject matter when it comes to still life painting. The only two things you really need are stillness and life… and really, you (the artist) are the ones who create life within the painting. The real challenge comes in creating something beautiful and interesting to look at out of ordinary objects.
Dutch and Flemish painters really took off with the genre during the 17th century, creating meaning out of seemingly simple, everyday objects. With the spread of new religions, symbolism and still lifes acquired more meaning. The genre was not given as much respect as other creative passions, but throughout history it has grown in the artistic community.
Still lifes have never required a greater symbolic meaning. The form is respected as a difficult endeavor undertaken by contemporary still life artists. Creating a beautiful composition from a common element requires a high level of passion and artistic skill. The genre has evolved over time, but various parts of the still life remain the same.
The biggest similarity from one century to the next, and the biggest difference, is the theme. The theme is life. For hundreds of years, flowers, fruits, architecture, and more commonplace items have appeared again and again. Times change and objects change, but stillness and beauty don’t.
Fruit and flowers are always a good starting point and a great way to learn how to create or observe a great still life. Something about the liveliness and freshness of fruits and flowers keeps artists coming back.
As the subject is the most important part of a still life, choosing the right subject for you is the best way to bring a still life to life. There are no boring topics; there are always a few ways to add some interest to images.
As with any other painting, the beautiful theme colors, dramatic lighting, and eye for composition will make any everyday object mesmerizing.
Another artistic trick is to create a border around the still life. It focuses the eyes on the object and allows the viewer to spend more time taking a closer look.
The magic of a still life is that it gives people a chance to look at objects that no one would normally miss. An artist has the opportunity to turn any regular object into a beautiful point of interest. There’s something powerful about that, and something that commands respect. If you feel that certain paintings are lacking in life, maybe consider adding some still lifes!