Still Life Painting – Objects

Learning to Observe, Understand, and Paint What’s in Front of You

Lesson Summary

In this academic art exercise, students will paint still life objects from direct observation. Still life painting is a foundational practice in art that strengthens an artist’s ability to see three-dimensional form, understand how light behaves, and interpret color relationships in the physical world.

Rather than copying objects mechanically, students will learn to observe carefully and make artistic decisions that enhance clarity, form, and visual impact. Through painting everyday objects, students develop technical skill, patience, and confidence while learning how light, shadow, and color interact on real surfaces.

A still life is a depiction of inanimate objects—either natural or man-made—arranged for observation and study. Still life painting isn’t about copying—it’s about learning how to see.
The better you understand light, color, and form, the more confidently you can express the world around you.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Paint directly from real-life objects using observation skills
Understand how light affects form, color, and surface
Apply opaque and transparent painting techniques
Use color intentionally to describe volume, mood, and temperature
Improve realism while maintaining artistic interpretation

A still life painting is a depiction of inanimate objects which are either natural or man-made.

Color Theory Discussion

Before painting, students will review basic color concepts:

Which three colors can be mixed to make all other colors?
(Red, blue, yellow)
What are secondary colors?
(Orange, green, purple)
How does light change the color we see on an object?
Why might shadows appear cooler or darker than highlights?

Note on Black & White:
Technically, black and white are not considered colors. Black is the absence of light, and white is the presence of all light. In painting, they are used as shades to darken or lighten colors.

Materials Needed

Gouache paint
Project sketchbook or painting paper
Pencil & eraser
A variety of objects (bottles, cans, ceramics, kettles, plants, fruits)
A selection of brushes (thick and thin)

Painting Process

Students will begin by painting individual objects before moving on to a full still life arrangement.

1. Sketch Lightly

Select an object and lightly draw its basic shape using pencil. Focus on proportion and overall form rather than small details.

2. Flat Color Layer

Using a thick round brush, apply a flat, even base color to describe the object’s overall color.

3. Painting Shadows

Observe the light source. Add darker, cooler versions of the base color to the shadow areas. Avoid using black—mix darker colors instead.

4. Highlights & Details

Use lighter colors and white sparingly to add highlights where the light hits the object most directly. Switch to smaller brushes to refine edges, textures, and details.

5. Pause & Critique

Step back and analyze the painting:

Does the object feel solid?
Is the light believable?
Are shadows and highlights working together?

Make improvements as needed.

6. Repeat Practice

Choose a different object and repeat the process, noticing how different surfaces reflect light differently (metal vs. ceramic vs. plant).

7. Full Still Life Setup

Arrange several objects into a still life. Carefully plan the composition before painting. Apply the same techniques used in individual studies, paying attention to overlapping shapes, cast shadows, and spatial relationships.