Back to Basics: How To Draw a Still Life

Welcome to Back to Basics with Melissa Forman and Paul Richmond. Together, we will explore different techniques and tips for making still life drawings.

This course is broken up into fifteen video lessons, all of which are included below on this page. When you complete one section, scroll down to the next video to continue. You have unlimited access to this page, so you can come back as often as you'd like.

We hope you enjoy this class! Thanks for being part of our Art Makes Us community.

 

Introduction

Meet the instructors and get an overview of the course.

 

Projects

See the projects we will be creating together.

 

Materials

See all of the materials you will need to complete this course.

 

Lesson 1 | Project 1: Sketch

Sketch out the shapes of our first still life - a flower.

 

Lesson 2 | Project 1: 4H Pencil

Create the lightest layer of shading using the 4H pencil.

 

Lesson 3 | Project 1: HB Pencil Part 1

Start the second layer of shading using the HB pencil.

 

Lesson 4 | Project 1 : HB Pencil Part 2

Finish shading in the mid-tones using an HB pencil.

 

Lesson 5 | Project 1: 4B Pencil Part 1

Start shading in the dark areas with the 4B pencil.

 

Lesson 6: Project 1: 4B Pencil Part 2

Finish shading in the dark areas with a 4B pencil.

 

Lesson 7 | Project 2: Background Tone & Sketch

Start the second still life by tonight the paper with charcoal and drawing the subject - pears. 

 

Lesson 8 | Project 2: Dark Shadows

Add the dark shadows to the still life drawing.

 

Lesson 9 | Project 2: Erasing Highlights

Use the eraser to create highlights.

 

Lesson 10 | Project 2: Adding Detail

Start adding detail to the still life drawing.

 

Lesson 11 | Project 2: Finishing Touches

Put the finishing touches on the second still life drawing.

Closing Thoughts

Wrap up this course with Melissa and Paul. We hope you had a blast!

 

Join our Facebook group

Share your work and interact with other artists from our community who are participating in this course by joining our Art Makes Us Facebook group! Let's support and encourage each other throughout this 30 day challenge!