Creating a Still Life
Students will create a still life consisting of common household objects,
preferably metallic items such as
chrome or stainless-steel tools and
appliances. Invite students to contribute to the still life with found objects
that may have
been recycled,
broken, or discarded.
Have students choose
their favorite
objects and ask them to visualize
these objects fused together, metamorphosing into a new form. They
should then create several 8 x 10" ( 20
x 25 cm) sketches and enlarge their
selected sketch onto 18 x 24" black
paper.
Add a fantasy/surreal aspect to
this lesson with the addition of
anthropomorphic characteristics
(human attributes given to a being
or thing not
Invite students to contribute to human). Picas-
the still life with found objects so’s pen and ink
drawing series,
that may have been recycled, Figure surréal-
broken, or discarded. iste, contains
some excellent
examples. Tell students to use their
imagination and dream up new crea-
tures.
To assist with the transformation
process, suggest the following criteria:
Think about animating objects and
“breaking the rules of nature” to
create a world where solid objects
can bend, melt, and fuse into each
other.
Eliminate distracting texture and
detail from objects, especially in
areas of transition from one object
to the next.
Use similar light and shadows on
all fused forms to create three-dimensional effects on all pieces.
Use subtle transitions of color and
value between objects to blend
forms together and create a whole
unit.
Draw the composition in the center of the paper to create a floating,
unified object in space.
