Many people say they can't draw, but everyone can. Still Life Drawing reminds us that putting pen to paper is a simple pleasure, available to anyone. And when it comes to combining colours, playing with pattern and exploring shapes, there are no rules. Taking inspiration from the objects we encounter is a great place to start, and can help us to find creativity and meaning in our everyday lives.
Since the dawn of time, humans have drawn the items that surround them. Ancient Roman paintings of fruits and flowers kicked off a tradition adopted by artists from Caravaggio to Van Gogh. Still life requires us to slow down and pay attention to often-overlooked details - an art in itself. Colours, patterns and textures are everywhere, and noticing the shape of the coffee cup on our desk or the orange of a pumpkin at the market can spark all kinds of ideas.
This beautiful book of quick, achievable and fun exercises from graphic artist and designer Alice Oehr will inspire you to put your own spin on still life and create artworks with what you have. Learn to:
• Use uncomplicated techniques to represent objects on paper,
• Experiment with pattern and color,
• Create texture with different mediums: collage, paint or even pixels,
• Take the time to appreciate the small things and build creativity into your routines,
• And of course use artistic license and invent your own rules!
Alice Oehr is a graphic artist and designer from Melbourne. Her distinctive colourful style incorporates her love of food, pattern, collage and drawing. She works with clients all around the world, and her ideas and illustrations have made their way onto textiles, homewares, magazines and more than twenty books, including her own, The Art of Cake (Thames & Hudson, 2020). Alice runs workshops for all ages with both HB pencils and Apple pencils.
