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Art is as diverse as it gets. Be it sketching, line drawing, composition, or more advanced classes such as Impressionist paintings, there is plenty to learn and experience for those who are willing. While oil painting classes are a big part of Impressionist painting classes, they also emphasize still life painting. But what exactly is still life painting? In this blog, the VR School of Art, a leading drawing class in North York, explores the basics and some interesting facts about this aspect of Impressionism.
Still life painting is an art form that is used to represent inanimate objects. This could be natural, such as flowers, fruits, crops, or artificial, such as utensils, ornaments, and other knick-knacks. They can also be as simple as one or two objects or subjects, or a complex artwork with numerous objects interwoven with one another.
While this form of art has been in existence since the dawn of time, as a movement, its origin can be traced back to the 16th-century Netherlands. Pieter Claesz, William Claesz Heda, and Jan Lievens are considered to be some of the pioneers of this style of painting, who depicted goblets, fruits, and books. The rationale behind still life painting was to showcase the opulence and culture of the upper class without seeming obnoxious to the Protestant ethic of the Dutch society.
Apart from signifying sophistication, still life painting has also become synonymous with symbolism. Each object in the painting signifies different philosophical themes. For instance, a decaying flower might symbolize the fleeting nature of life, or a skull might showcase mortality. Talented artists can express their innermost thoughts and messages through these inanimate objects.
Lighting and detailing are key aspects of still life painting. While the former adds depth and drama to the canvas, the details add visual texture and intrigue. To get really good at this art form, it is important to master these aspects.
Do you want to learn more about still life painting? Reach out to us at VR School of Art today. As a leading drawing class in North York, we offer oil painting classes, as well as landscape painting, life model painting, plein air painting, and much more.