Monday, December 18, 2006 Tabletop Compositions By Ritchie Landis Doner Quijano
TIME is frozen in a still life painting. The subjects of this genre are usually inanimate objects, although not necessarily non-living. The picture-perfect composition generally appeals to people because they are decorative in presentation; the most ordinary and mundane household object can become magical in a painting.
Still-life subjects are popular because people can easily relate to them, and connect to the things that they contain. Painting still life is basic when learning the art.
In these lessons, the still life is utilized when the teacher begins to introduce colors and tonal values to his students.
In a still-life, time stands still, the freshness of the colors remain eternal. The green of a mango, the red of an apple stay constant forever.
The setting of a still life can be anywhere indoors, but most often these are positioned near the window for direct light exposure should artificial lighting be unavailable.
The painting captures the moment and objects that are treasured in the home are immortalized—becoming part of the home and family.
We find in still life paintings the most familiar things we grew up with. Thus, the nostalgia.
