In the ever-evolving world of art, the humble still life has become a canvas for remarkable innovation and creative exploration. Artists are pushing the boundaries of traditional still life drawing, infusing their compositions with a fresh perspective that challenges our perceptions of the ordinary.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Far from simply rendering inanimate objects, these contemporary practitioners are using the still life genre as a springboard for introspection, social commentary, and artistic experimentation. By reimagining the everyday, they invite us to see the world anew – whether through the bold colors and expressive brushwork of their paintings, the conceptual layering of their mixed media drawings, or the unexpected juxtapositions that ignite our imagination.
Painting Techniques: Embracing Chaos and Control
For artist David Dornan, the process of creating a still life painting is a delicate balance between “total chaos and absolute control.” Dornan’s oil paintings capture the interplay between spontaneity and technical mastery, with visible splotches, handprints, and scratches coexisting alongside precise renderings of cups, bottles, and floral arrangements.
“I paint how it feels, and later I make it real with my knowledge,” Dornan explains. This improvisation-driven approach allows him to create a sense of movement and energy within the still life form. Dornan’s technique involves constantly experimenting – he might work on five or six paintings a day, abandoning some and returning to them months later to see where they want to go.
Integral to Dornan’s process is his extensive collection of hand-mixed varnishes, which he sprays onto the canvas to alter the light and mood of his compositions. “I can say, ‘I want this to be a warmer painting or a cooler painting,’ and I can create that with these glazes,” he says. This dynamic interplay between spontaneity and control is a hallmark of Dornan’s vibrant, contemporary take on the still life.
Similarly, artist Holly Coulis infuses her still life paintings with a sense of playfulness and vibrancy. Rooted in Pop art, Cubism, and abstraction, Coulis’s compositions feature boldly colored forms – lemons, vases, and other everyday objects – that seem to dance across the canvas. She outlines her shapes multiple times in varied hues, creating a mesmerizing, radiating effect.
Coulis is drawn to the intimacy and personal nature of still life, describing it as a “paused movement” where the subject remains still before and after the painting. Yet, she’s currently exploring ways to push her compositions even further towards abstraction, seeking to find a new balance between the recognizable and the experimental.
Drawing Approaches: Layered Narratives and Mixed Media Explorations
While painting offers artists a unique avenue for reimagining the still life, drawing has also become a powerful medium for contemporary practitioners to express their creative vision.
Artist Lucia Hierro, for example, creates digital print works that explore the intersection of high and low culture, as well as the personal and the universal. Her “Bodegón” series features digitally collaged images of everyday bodega items – such as Fanta bottles, Café Bustelo coffee, and egg-and-cheese sandwiches – alongside cultural signifiers like a Yale coffee mug or a New York Yankees cap.
By juxtaposing these commonplace objects, Hierro invites the viewer to consider the complexities of identity, consumerism, and the shared experiences that transcend socioeconomic boundaries. “I, a Dominican-American consumer, implicate myself in the way that history is still playing out today,” she explains.
Hierro’s work also nods to the legacy of Dutch still life painting, acknowledging the complex histories embedded in the depiction of seemingly ordinary objects. Her digital compositions, however, offer a uniquely contemporary perspective, one that is shaped by the visual language of modern media and the diverse lived experiences of the artist.
Similarly, artist Arden Surdam embraces the macabre and the unexpected in her photographic still life compositions. Inspired by the unsettling, visceral imagery of Francis Bacon, Surdam’s works feature sausages, bloodied animals, and stained sheets, challenging the viewer’s expectations of the still life genre.
Surdam’s creative process often involves arranging and photographing these unconventional elements in sequences, inviting the viewer to construct their own narrative. “I like creating vignettes that are ambiguous enough to speak to a large swath of the Asian American diaspora while also being specific enough to speak to distinct memories,” says Stephanie H. Shih, whose ceramic sculptures of Asian American grocery staples, such as soy sauce bottles and Sriracha, evoke a shared sense of nostalgia.
Conceptual Approaches: Reimagining Domestic Spaces and Everyday Objects
Beyond the traditional still life, some artists are using the genre as a springboard for deeper conceptual explorations, transforming domestic spaces and everyday objects into powerful statements about identity, memory, and social issues.
Guanyu Xu, for example, created the series “Temporarily Censored Home,” in which he redecorated his childhood home with photographs of himself and other gay men while his parents were away at work. By subverting the spaces that once served to repress his sexuality, Xu’s work becomes a powerful act of resistance and self-expression.
“I, a Dominican-American consumer, implicate myself in the way that history is still playing out today,” says Lucia Hierro, whose digital collages explore the complexities of identity and consumerism.
Similarly, Jean Shin’s large-scale installations, such as “Floating MAiZE,” repurpose everyday objects – in this case, over 7,000 green Mountain Dew bottles – to comment on issues of industrial agriculture, nutrition, and environmental pollution. By transforming these familiar items into striking, conceptual compositions, Shin invites the viewer to consider the hidden stories and larger societal implications behind the objects that populate our everyday lives.
Practical Tutorials and Creative Inspiration
For emerging artists looking to explore the boundless possibilities of the still life genre, there are a wealth of resources and techniques to draw upon. Whether you’re drawn to the expressive potential of painting, the conceptual power of drawing, or the transformative nature of mixed media, the still life offers a rich and rewarding avenue for creative exploration.
Pencil Drawing Tutorials
One of the most fundamental drawing techniques for still life renderings is pencil sketching. Start by practicing shading techniques, such as hatching, cross-hatching, and blending, to capture the volume and texture of your subjects. Pay close attention to proportions and perspective, ensuring that the relationships between objects feel natural and harmonious.
Sketching from life is also a powerful way to hone your observational skills and develop a deeper understanding of form, light, and shadow. Challenge yourself to sketch everyday objects – a cup, a vase, a piece of fruit – focusing on capturing the essence of the subject rather than replicating every detail.
Painting Techniques
In the realm of painting, impasto and color field techniques can be particularly effective for still life compositions. Apply thick, expressive brushstrokes to capture the tactile qualities of your subjects, or explore glazing techniques to create luminous, atmospheric effects.
Consider experimenting with unconventional painting tools, such as palette knives, sponges, or even found objects, to introduce unexpected textures and mark-making into your work. And don’t be afraid to embrace the unexpected – allow your process to guide the direction of the painting, and be open to the happy accidents that arise along the way.
Creative Exploration
Beyond the technical aspects of drawing and painting, the still life also offers endless opportunities for conceptual and thematic exploration. Reflect on the personal, cultural, or social significance of the objects you choose to depict, and let these considerations inform the compositions, color palettes, and creative approaches you employ.
Engage in artistic journaling to generate ideas, experiment with mixed media techniques, and delve deeper into the symbolic or narrative potential of the still life form. Explore unconventional compositions, such as unexpected juxtapositions or trompe-l’œil effects, to challenge the viewer’s perceptions and subvert the conventions of the genre.
By embracing the rich history and boundless creative potential of the still life, you can unlock new avenues for self-expression, social commentary, and artistic innovation. So, whether you’re drawn to the tactile qualities of painting, the expressive power of drawing, or the conceptual possibilities of mixed media, the still life offers a versatile and rewarding medium for reimagining the everyday.
Example: Pencil Portrait Challenge 2024