Creating a Self Portrait with meaningful keepsakes
Still life drawings are Booooring! There! I said it!
The teacher selects objects,
the teacher sets up the display,
the teacher has students draw objects that have no connection to the artists... Even I don't want to participate in that, and I'm an artist! I explain this more HERE.
At the very least, the student should choose some objects, HERE is how I have done that before. Each student can bring one and a still life can be created. Another option is for each student to create their own. HERE is a fun way that can be done.
In this post, I am sharing a 3rd option, created during the 2020 -2021 pandemic and home-based learning. Students walk around their home and select 5 or 6 objects that represent important aspects of their lives. They should be encouraged to create a list and document their individual meanings. My 5 objects were:
1. Candle: Symbol of birth & wedding
2. Wooden "E": representing my name.
3. Origami: Father connection & My year in Japan
4. Brush: Me as an artist & Japanese education
5. Seashell: My love of the beach
Some time is taken to arrange the objects, then to play with the light source to enhance shadows. I suggest students use a towel or piece of fabric as a background. I told my students to use something without a pattern to simplify their work, but advanced students should incorporate pattern for more of a challenge.
The video I have linked below focuses on watercolor as a media, but this could be done in any media. I reference my workbook in the video.
By letting students choose their own objects, and create their own still life, you guarantee originality and deeper meaning. When the project is complete, students should be encouraged to write about their artistic choices and decisions as well as share with peers. I do this at the sketch phase for critique and a chance to hear ideas for improvement.
The teacher selects objects,
the teacher sets up the display,
the teacher has students draw objects that have no connection to the artists... Even I don't want to participate in that, and I'm an artist! I explain this more HERE.
At the very least, the student should choose some objects, HERE is how I have done that before. Each student can bring one and a still life can be created. Another option is for each student to create their own. HERE is a fun way that can be done.
In this post, I am sharing a 3rd option, created during the 2020 -2021 pandemic and home-based learning. Students walk around their home and select 5 or 6 objects that represent important aspects of their lives. They should be encouraged to create a list and document their individual meanings. My 5 objects were:
1. Candle: Symbol of birth & wedding
2. Wooden "E": representing my name.
3. Origami: Father connection & My year in Japan
4. Brush: Me as an artist & Japanese education
5. Seashell: My love of the beach
Some time is taken to arrange the objects, then to play with the light source to enhance shadows. I suggest students use a towel or piece of fabric as a background. I told my students to use something without a pattern to simplify their work, but advanced students should incorporate pattern for more of a challenge.
The video I have linked below focuses on watercolor as a media, but this could be done in any media. I reference my workbook in the video.
By letting students choose their own objects, and create their own still life, you guarantee originality and deeper meaning. When the project is complete, students should be encouraged to write about their artistic choices and decisions as well as share with peers. I do this at the sketch phase for critique and a chance to hear ideas for improvement.
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