Author(s): Mark Bergin

Activity | Practical Art

Everyone can learn to draw--and this beginner's manual shows new artists how to create still lifes in a range of styles and mediums.

Inanimate objects make ideal subjects for the new artist: they don't move, they can be arranged in a variety of ways, and you can take as long as you need to draw them. This beginner's guide introduces you to still lifes, from simple pictures of everyday things like sneakers to more complex techniques like capturing reflections and subtle effects. Learn how to depict shape, color, form, proportion, and negative space; get the correct tonal values; and use mediums like acrylics, charcoals, and watercolor. Plenty of step-by-step illustrations will help you as you draw fruit, fabric, flowers, shells, and more.