Introduction to Still-life Painting I

In this course, instructor Tina Orsolic Dalessio will introduce you to the history and symbolism of still-life painting. You will examine the composition of artwork from the Old Masters. Then, you will learn how to set up to paint a still-life from life, create a color study, and sketch a transfer drawing in the sight-size method. Next, Tina will teach you how to tackle a painting from start to finish with oil paints. After this course, you will gain significant knowledge on still-life painting that can be applied to other genres.

Week 1: History of Still-life Painting and Rules of Pictorial Composition
In week one, Tina will take you through the history of the still-life painting genre. You will explore the hidden messages and symbolism behind still-life objects. Then, Tina will teach you the rules of pictorial composition

Week 2: Analyzing the Composition of the Old Masters
In week two, you will analyze still-life paintings by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Merritt Chase, Emil Carlsen, and William Nicholson. Tina will demonstrate how to create small value studies of the master paintings.

Week 3: Setting Up a Still-life and Painting a Color Study
In week three, Tina will begin by showing you how to arrange a still-life setup within a shadow box. Then, she will introduce you to her color palette and show you how to create a color study as a preparatory step for the final still-life painting.

Week 4: Creating a Transfer Drawing
In week four, you will learn how to create a transfer drawing for your final still-life painting. You will practice keeping your lines graphic and leaving out small details. Then, Tina will show you the process of transferring the drawing to a prepared canvas with imprimatura.

Week 5: Still-life Painting of a Vase and a Mortar – Underpainting
In week five, Tina will teach you how to create an underpainting for your still-life project using raw umber. You will learn to thin out the paint pigment using spike oil; from there, slowly build up the values of the background and objects.

Week 6: Still-life Painting of a Vase and a Mortar – Block-in
In week six, you will learn to block in a still-life painting starting from the background. Tina will use a big brush to lay in the first layer of shadows, mid-tones, and lights.

Week 7: Still-life Painting of a Vase and a Mortar – Making Adjustments and Modeling Forms
In week seven, Tina will continue to develop her still-life painting. You will practice making adjustments to the drawing, colors, and values. Tina will show you how to develop edge quality and create atmospheric perspective.

Week 8: Still-life Painting of a Vase and a Mortar – Glazing and Refining
In week eight, Tina will teach you how to continue to refine your still-life painting. You will learn to use thin glazes to unify some color temperatures. Tina will show you how she takes time to define the shapes of the objects, build contrast, describe lighting gradation, and adjust colors.

Week 9: Still-life Painting of a Vase and a Mortar – Detailing and Adding Final Touches
In week nine, you will learn to complete your still-life painting. Tina will show you how to add final details and make last-minute adjustments.