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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Still Life – A group of inanimate objects arranged for observation and painting
Primary Colors – Red, blue, and yellow; colors that cannot be mixed from others
Secondary Colors – Orange, green, and purple; made by mixing two primary colors
Highlight – The brightest area where light hits an object directly
Shadow – Areas where light is blocked or reduced
Form – The three-dimensional quality of an object
Opaque – Paint that does not allow light to pass through
Transparent – Paint that allows light and layers beneath to show through