How To Create An Impressionist Still-Life Painting In Oil Painting Classes?

Want to create a still-life painting in an Impressionist style? Focus on setup, underpainting, layer building and refinement. 

In this blog, VR School of Art, one of the leading drawing classes and oil painting classes in North York, Ontario, explores the step-by-step process to achieve this.

What Are the Steps to Create an Impressionist-Style Still Life Painting?

The Set Up

Since variables like textures, colours and lighting can be controlled in a still-life painting, make sure you have the desired setup, as it will largely impact the final product of your Impressionist painting.

Underpainting

Keeping the painting vibrant is vital to stick to your Impressionist vision. For this, add a coat of warm primer to your canvas. Add a colourful base atop this primer in such a way that the entire canvas is covered and no white is showing through.

Block In Areas

Use a large brush to block certain areas of the painting with colours. Make sure to focus on the interplay of light and shadow, as it can impact how your oil painting looks at the end.

Build Layers

Now, add layers to the block in areas, but do so with broken brushstrokes instead of fluid ones. Techniques like Impasto can be used here to build up texture and define forms of the painting.

Refine

Add highlights and use complementary colours to add more vibrancy and contrast to the entire still life painting. This is a refining step, so make sure to add highlights and new colours sparingly.

Conclusion

By sticking to the steps, tips and guidelines stated above, you can craft your desirable still-life painting in your drawing classes. 

To enroll in quality oil painting classes where you can learn more about still-life painting, Impressionist painting, landscape artworks and more, reach out to us at VR School of Art today. As one of the top drawing classes in North York, Ontario, we offer classes for kids and adults alike. Contact us at 647-894-7706 to learn more about our courses.

FAQs:

What is the Impasto painting technique?

Impasto is a painting technique where paint is applied in thick, short strokes so that it does not blend smoothly.

Why are large brushes used in Impressionist paintings?

Large brushes are used in Impressionist paintings as they enable one to draw with looser brushstrokes, making it easier to avoid hard edges.