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Learning to See, Feel, and Paint What’s in Front of You
Learning to See, Feel, and Paint What’s in Front of You
Lesson Summary
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, students will explore the basics of still life painting using fruits as their subject. Still life is a classic practice in art that helps build strong observation skills and teaches students how to translate what they see into paint. Through this process, students will also begin to discover their own unique way of interpreting the world around them.
Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this lesson, students will:
Learn to draw and paint directly from real-life objects
Understand how light affects the shape, color, and form of what we see
Strengthen their ability to observe small details
Practice techniques for creating realistic paintings
Color Theory Quick Talk
Color Theory Quick Talk
Before painting, we’ll briefly explore how color works.
What three colors can be mixed to make all the others? (Answer: red, blue, yellow – primary colors)
What do we get when we mix two primary colors? (Answer: orange, green, and purple – secondary colors)
Note on Black & White: Technically, black and white are not considered colors. Black is the absence of light, while white is the presence of all light. In painting, we use them as shades to deepen or lighten colors.
Materials Needed
Materials Needed
Gouache paints
Pencil and eraser
Project sketchbook or painting paper
A variety of fruits (apples, bananas, oranges, etc.)
A selection of brushes (thick and thin)
Painting Process
Painting Process
We’ll begin by painting fruits one at a time to build confidence before moving on to a full still life.
Sketch Lightly
Pick a fruit and draw its basic shape gently with your pencil.Flat Color Layer
Using a round brush, paint the fruit with its overall base color.Add Shadows
Look closely—where is the light coming from? Add darker, cooler shades on the side facing away from the light.Highlights & Details
Switch to a smaller brush and paint lighter areas where the light hits. Add texture and color variation.Pause & Reflect
Step back and take a look. What’s working well? What could be improved? Make any final touches.Try Another Fruit
Choose a different fruit and repeat the process. Notice how each one is different in shape, color, and surface.Full Still Life
When ready, arrange a few fruits together and paint the full scene. Think about how the fruits interact—overlapping shapes, shadows, and space.
Still Life Painting Process
Terminology
Terminology
Primary Colors: Red, blue, and yellow—colors that can’t be made by mixing others
Secondary Colors: Orange, green, and purple—made by mixing two primary colors
Highlights: The brightest spots where light hits an object
Shadows: Darker areas where light is blocked
Still Life: A group of objects arranged for observation and drawing or painting
Closing Thought
Closing Thought
Still life painting is not just about copying what you see—it’s about learning how to see. The more carefully you look, the more you’ll notice color, light, shadow, and form. Over time, your brush will become a tool not just for recording, but for expressing.
Full Still Life Setup
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