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Perfect for both aspiring and established artists, this easy-to-understand guidebook shows you the secrets to drawing lifelike still life artwork in the dynamic medium of colored pencil.
*Named One of the 54 Best Colored Pencil Drawing Books of All Time by BookAuthority*
Rendering artwork that leaves your viewers contemplating whether a piece might actually be a photograph is no easy task! But if you want to learn how to render realistic still lifes using a wide range of techniques, the approachable and engaging Realistic Still Life in Colored Pencil is just the resource. After an introduction to the basic tools and materials, you will discover a variety of basic colored-pencil techniques, such as:
HatchingCrosshatchingShadingBlendingLayeringBurnishingAnd much more!
In addition, you will find more complex techniques for creating realistic still lifes, including how to render various textures like glass, wood, porcelain, flower petals, and others. Throughout the book, expert artist and art instructor Cynthia Knox offers tips and techniques for using layers to build color and depth, establishing dramatic and moody backgrounds, and working with “hidden” colors to achieve realistic effects. Also included is valuable information for connecting all of the elements for polished and professional results. Each project comes with a list of the colored pencils that are needed to complete the project.
Packed with easy-to- follow instructions, plenty of helpful tips, and beautiful artwork and photographs to inspire, Realistic Still Life in Colored Pencil is the perfect resource for taking your colored-pencil art to the next level.
From the Publisher
Introduction
In this book, we’ll work together to create beautiful flowers and fruit, elegant antiques, intricate lace, tinted glass, delectable pastries, and so much more. Join me as I show you how to create your own personal masterpieces step by step throughout the pages of this book. Your friends and family will exclaim, “That’s colored pencil?!” when you show them your work, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly it all comes together for you. Now let’s get started!
Creating a Pleasing Composition
COMPONENTS & PLACEMENT
What and how many objects will you use to create your composition? Are they similar in size or is there a height range? Will you place them equidistant apart or weight the composition in one primary area to convey visual tension? An appealing arrangement involves a triangular structure. This creates balance, height, and visual appeal. It doesn’t have to look like a pyramid; a loose triangular presentation works well and can include symmetrical or asymmetrical objects.
LIGHTING
Without attractive lighting, your still life will appear dull and flat. Sometimes this is addressed with an overall wash of general light that brightens almost everything in the composition, or perhaps a singular beam of light is used to draw the viewer’s eye to one section of the still life. The direction of light is important too. Front lighting illuminates a subject straight on. Sidelighting creates a three dimensional appearance and emphasizes texture and object forms. Backlighting produces spectacular glowing effects that dramatically rim components within the setup. Diffused lighting is soft without bleached highlights or harsh shadows and flatters object hues. You can use indoor or outdoor light when arranging your still life, and I encourage you to try both.
VISUAL PERSPECTIVE
Are viewers looking up, down, or directly at your still life? The most common perspective is from eye level; however, the other two angles can also be impressive when done correctly. Remember that objects in the back may appear to be smaller than they are, and objects in the immediate front will often appear larger.
DETAIL
How complex would you like your still-life composition to be? Will you include objects with patterns, fabrics with repetitive textures, or baskets with many woven strips? While still-life artworks are rarely considered simple, they may be viewed as simplistic. This means that they are uncluttered with only a few objects, significant space, and an uncomplicated color scheme. With respect to detail, I personally prefer more versus less because it adds interest and presents technical challenges to me.
Project 1: Poppies
This beautiful still life evokes thoughts and perhaps memories of rural living and farmhouse décor.
You’ll enjoy creating the numerous textures in this composition. The delicate folds of the poppy petals and the pitted surface of the strawberries provide a contrast that’s still manageable to render. The overlapping flower stems, distressed markings of the antique metallics, delicate lace pattern, and highlighted table grain will keep you busy with a variety of pencil strokes, colors, and values. Lastly, the softly blurred background stages the main subjects beautifully.
POPPIES
1 Intensify the red color using Crimson Red and moderate pressure (2).
2 Increase your pressure to medium (3) or firm (4) to block in the deeper reds.
STEMS
1 Work with just two pencils for now: Chartreuse and Limepeel. Over every light green stem, color in with Chartreuse again. Over any darker stem, use Limepeel. Begin at the left side and work methodically toward the right.
2 Use a sharp White to lighten, straighten, and/or make corrections. If it gets confusing, use Chartreuse.
Publisher : Walter Foster Publishing; Illustrated edition (July 7, 2020)
Language : English
Paperback : 144 pages
ISBN-10 : 1633228681
ISBN-13 : 978-1633228689
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 8.8 x 0.55 x 11.65 inches
Customers say
Customers find the artwork lovely and clear. They appreciate the good instruction and helpful tips. Readers say the book is well worth the investment and worth the time.
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