Issue No. 7: Still-Life Therapy
A seven day challenge, my workshop in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and my first insiders meet-up!
When the pandemic started back in 2020, I was unusually productive. I painted for hours each day when we were stuck inside, and it was as though everything I had written about in my books and taught in my classes had come full circle. My message had been this: If you want to draw and paint, then draw and paint, and if you don’t know what your subjects should be, then just paint what’s in front of you. I found myself drawing and painting our hallways, practicing perspective. I found things to draw on our kitchen counter. I looked out the windows in each room and painted the views and the fire escapes. And I painted a series of still lifes.
No wonder then, that when I decided to host a seven-day still-life challenge with my friend Ohn Mar Win, I had an immediate sense of calm. It’s possible that the impulse to draw everyday objects runs in my blood. My great-aunt (the same great-aunt who made the painting across from our bed that I wrote about in a previous post titled “Favorite Views from Home”) always told me that her still-life paintings brought her peace. Not only while she was working on them but also when they were finished and had become part of her space. I agree, as there is nothing to be misinterpreted or that is controversial about a still life. These scenes appear in every home in one way or another and are relatable. The challenge of the actual rendering can be as hard or as easy as you choose in the moment. I have created very tight and accurate still lifes, and I have experimented with looser lines and gestures for other ones.
I am really looking forward to having an excuse to dive into creating seven more still lifes, however they flow, in my sketchbook next week. I hope you will join us!
Join me and Ohn Mar Win for a 7-Day Still Life Painting Challenge, from Monday, March 13, through Sunday, March 19.
To participate, simply submit your entries on Instagram using the same hashtag we used for our previous challenge, #samanthaandohnmar7day. We’ll be sharing your work in our stories throughout the challenge, so make sure to follow along and see what other artists come up with!
Please keep in mind that if you have a private account, or you are not on Instagram, you can still participate by sending us images through direct message or email.
We have the following prompts lined up for each day. Please incorporate at least ONE of these into your still-life composition on the day of the prompt.
March 13: Round Fruits
March 14: Flowers
March 15: Vases & Bowls
March 16: Bottles & Glasses
March 17: Books & Writing Implements
March 18: Candles
March 19: Kitchen Utensils
We will be providing references each day, but if you prefer to set up your own, here are a few tips for your still-life studies:
• Select a few objects that have contrasting shapes and sizes (such as small, medium, and large). Consider how they might interact with each other, and choose items that will create visual interest when placed together.
• Use a simple, plain background that won’t compete with your objects.
• Set up your still-life subject in a well-lit area, preferably near a window with natural light. You can also use artificial light to enhance or manipulate the lighting.
• Experiment with different arrangements until you find a composition that you’re happy with. Consider having some elements fall off the sides of the page.
• Start with just a few objects, and avoid cluttering your scene. A simple still life can be just as impactful as a complex one.
• Convert a copy of your reference photograph to black-and-white to better see the contrast. Even if you are working from life, you can take a snapshot and use it as backup in case the light changes as you are working.
A Workshop in Brooklyn Bridge Park
The workshop I taught with
this past Sunday was so much fun! We had an amazing group, and all of the feedback has been so positive. The weather was kind to us with mild temperatures, clear skies, and only a few tiny drops of rain fell just as we were about to head to my studio. Though Nishant and my styles are different, what tied it all together is our love of documenting the world around us on the pages of a sketchbook. We hope to host another one soon.
You can also read (and see) all about how
, one of the artist attendees, felt about the experience on Sunday on her most recent substack post. Thank you, Suzan!My First Insiders Meet-up is tomorrow!
I am so happy to have your support as a reader, and I realize that diving in deeper is not necessary for everyone. You will always be able to read my posts. But I have chosen Substack because of the possibilities to connect further, and am looking forward to exploring it all. For paid subscribers I have already posted a tutorial on how I make my sketchbooks by hand, I have provided the first in a series of prompts, and tomorrow I am hosting my first social-and-drawing meetup at 5pm EST. I plan to host these meetups at least once a month. They will always be free as a thank-you for being a paid subscriber.
For this first meetup we will talk a little bit, and depending on how many people join in, we can all introduce ourselves. I will share some of my recent sketchbooks, and I will draw and paint live.
If you decide to upgrade to a paid subscription, I am offering a sale right now. The link to register for the meetup is behind the paywall that you will be able to see after upgrading.