How to Draw Still Life

Learning to draw accurately may seem daunting for beginners, but it is actually a matter of training your eye to observe and analyze what you see. In this beginner’s drawing tutorial, the focus is on teaching basic techniques through a simple step-by-step approach. The tutorial video provides clear instructions on how to draw with accuracy.

One of the key techniques demonstrated in the tutorial is using your pencil as a measuring tool. By holding your arm straight, closing one eye, and using your thumb to move up and down the pencil, you can effectively measure the proportions of the subject you are drawing. This technique allows you to compare different sections of the still life and ensure accuracy in your drawing.

This drawing tutorial aims is to provide aspiring artists with a comprehensive guide to creating a realistic depiction of a still life composition.

I start by explaining the importance of holding a pencil at arm’s length and utilizing it as a measuring tool. By doing so, one can effectively gauge the height, width, and angles of the objects within the composition.

Moving forward, I guide the reader through the process of selecting the highest object in the still life and mentally connecting it with the other objects present. This technique aids in sketching out a basic shape that serves as a grid, allowing for precise measurements and placements of all the objects within the composition. By establishing this grid, artists gain a solid framework upon which to build their drawing.

The focus of this tutorial is on developing an understanding of tone, light, and shade within the context of a still life. This video delves into essential techniques to enhance your artwork.

To begin, I demonstrate the use of two different pencils: a 2B and a 6B, along with a 4B piece of graphite. This pencils allow for the creation of different tones, lending depth and dimension to the artwork. By utilizing darker tones, I demonstrate how lighter tones can be effectively created, resulting in a more visually striking composition.

By utilizing the side of the pencil, I demonstrate how to achieve a smooth transition of tones, creating a realistic depiction of light and shadow. This technique is particularly useful when rendering complex surfaces, such as the reflective sheen on the two eggs showcased in the video.

Understanding the concept of eye level is crucial for beginners who aim to develop accurate drawing skills. It plays a vital role in perceiving and depicting objects with accuracy. This art tutorial provides step-by-step guidance on how to utilize the knowledge of eye level and its correlation with the horizon to enhance your drawings of various subjects, including objects, landscapes, and still life.

Additionally, knowing how to calculate eye level allows you to determine the angle for vanishing points on that level. This knowledge is essential for creating realistic three-dimensional representations.

The tutorial also delves into the idea of vanishing points and explains how they are affected by changes in eye level. By simply adjusting your position—moving up or down—you can alter the eye level, consequently influencing the composition and perspective of your drawing.

This beginner’s drawing tutorial video focuses on curves, lines, tone, shading, creating depth, and effectively utilizing pencils. The subject of the drawing is a captivating still life composition featuring three paint brushes arranged in a pot. Each brush is meticulously drawn using a different pencil grade: HB, 2B, and 8B.

By employing this varied range of pencils, I demonstrate how different tones can be achieved, thereby enhancing the depth and realism of the drawing. The concept of using darker lines to create a sense of proximity and lighter lines to convey distance is explored, contributing to the overall three-dimensional effect.

The tutorial delves into the essential techniques of lines, curves, and understanding eye level, which play a significant role in constructing an accurate and lifelike drawing. While the tutorial focuses on still life drawing the concepts discussed can be readily applied to various other subjects and drawing styles.

The focus of this art tutorial is on depicting a carpenter’s plane by utilizing fundamental geometric shapes. The video commences by emphasizing the significance of starting with simple shapes when attempting to depict complex objects. By breaking down the subject into basic geometric forms such as circles, squares, and triangles, beginners can establish a strong foundation upon which they can build their artwork. This approach aids in achieving accurate proportions and lays the groundwork for adding intricate details later in the process.

As the tutorial reaches its conclusion, valuable insights are shared, comprising four invaluable tips to further refine one’s drawing abilities and imbue the outline sketch with a remarkable three-dimensional quality. These tips serve as a catalyst for improvement, allowing artists to transcend the two-dimensional realm and instil depth and realism into their artworks.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to enhance your existing skills, Paul Priestley’s Art channel offers a wealth of valuable content. The tutorials are structured in a simple and easy-to-follow manner, ensuring that artists of all levels can grasp the concepts and techniques being taught. Furthermore, Paul Priestley’s easy drawing tutorials provide insights into various drawing materials, their properties, and how to effectively utilize them in your artwork.

For lots more inspiring easy step by step drawing tutorials for the beginner and those with more advanced drawing skills please checkout my

YouTube Channel: PaulPriestleyArt