Ready to study to paint portraits or figures

Before beginning to paint portraits or figures from life, it is well to make preparatory studies of different objects - such as still life, drapery, flowers, etc.

Perhaps the studies most ready to hand, most available to the student who may be in some way removed from the facilities of art study to be found in large cities, are those of still life. This term is understood to signify any inanimate object or objects arranged for artistic study and delineation.

As a means of study this arrangement may be coherent or incoherent; it may be meaningless or full of significance. We would, however, suggest that the student always invest this group of objects with the interest of logical proximity. For instance, an orange and an inkstand have nothing in common, while an inkstand, sealing-wax, pen and paper, have, as also has the orange on a plate with nuts and raisins. The orange and inkstand subjected to an effect of light and shade will serve all purposes of study, but they will always be incongruous and consequently uninteresting. Studies of still life are capable of being treated with much artistic force and a lively pictorial interest. Splendid stuffs may be painted, rich and significant groups of varied tones and textures may be thrown together, making a pell-mell of gorgeous coloring that will excite the eye and stimulate the imagination. Some of the old masters appreciated the availability of such subjects by introducing large spaces of still life accessories into many of their important works.

In arranging studies for still life, seek for harmony of color, form, etc., and place objects so as to receive the most effective mass of light and shade. Try to express as faithfully as possible the various textures of the materials before you. Paint the hard objects so that they look hard, and the soft ones so that they may appear unmistakably soft.

All material things that are reasonably available as objects of study, may be used as models in this branch of art. None are too common, and many are full of beauty.