What is a Still Life?

This lesson was assigned April 6, 2020

A still life is a group of objects arranged so an artist can study how they look. The artist might draw, paint, collage, or photograph a still life to practice their art skills (or create a finished piece of art).

Artists Paul Cezanne and Vincent van Gogh are just a few of the artists who are famous for their
still life paintings:

Still Life with Apples and Biscuits by Paul Cezanne (1877)

Still Life- Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh (1888)

Artist Pablo Picasso made art by looking at a still life too! His artwork is abstract so it looks a little different! Abstract Art is artwork that does not look realistic (like a photo) but was inspired by shapes, lines, and patterns.  Abstract art  might remind us of something we see every day but doesn’t look just like it. ​

Still Life with Cat and Lobster by Pablo Picasso (1962)

Still Life with Lamp by Pablo Picasso (1944)

Below are three activities that have to do with a still life.
​Pick at least one activity to complete this week.

Activity 1:

Create a still life from at least three items in your home.  Spend at least 10 minutes drawing those items together. 

Are some items closer?  Are some hidden behind another object? Think about the details and the textures that you see.

Activity 2:

Listen to this description of a piece of artwork called Still Life (1963) by Tom Wesselman and play the memory game in the description! 
https://www.moma.org/audio/playlist/2/148

Activity 3:

Try drawing an object in your home without looking at the paper to make an abstract drawing like Picasso! Poke your pencil through a paper plate if you are tempted to peek!

Adapted Learning:

Find an object in your house that you can trace! Try tracing that object (you may need someone to help hold your hand as you go around the object).  Can you add details or color to the object?

Trace the same object three times in three different colors (crayons might be a good idea so nothing gets stained) right on top of each other! This is abstract art like Picasso made!

Lay outside on pavement or cement and have someone trace you in chalk! Can you trace your hand?