Lesson 10

Drawing & Communication: Still Life

Drawing with India ink and a brush taped to a yard stick for added freedom, with Dean Estes and Jessie Nilo.
As a continuation of last week, this is just a reminder that whether or not you will use these particular methods
in your own artwork, the practice of learning various art methods can inform your artistic growth.
If you are advanced at still life, set up a challenging still life and draw it while this video plays, or you can draw
along with todays lesson with the images provided; your choice. Upload one image to your class in step 4.
If youre new at still life drawing, relax and see how much you can learn. You dont have to like it or ever use it
again after this video. You just might pick up something new. Upload one image to your class in step 4.
Supplies needed as you watch this video:

Large white or light-colored paper. If you dont have large paper, tape 2 pieces together on the back.

A drawing board, cardboard backing, large book, or other hard surface to support your paper.

Clamps or large binder clips (if necessary) to attach your paper to the board.

A dark, bold drawing instrument such as a charcoal (and a kneaded eraser), or a thick dark marker.

If you have it: India Ink (or watercolor or acrylic paint mixed to a drippy consistency), and a pointed brush. A
large marker will work if you dont have inky paint. This is what youll tape to your yard stick. (See next page.)

A yard stick, dowel, or rod (1-3 feet) to tape your pointed brush or marker to, and some masking tape.

Your own viewfinder to use during this video (same one you made for last weeks lesson); see template.

When youre ready to start the video:

Lean your paper (which is attached to a drawing board) on a chair facing toward you, as in this photo.
You can either stand, or sit on a chair facing your drawing board. Protect chairs with plastic or rags.

Lesson 10

Drawing & Communication: Still Life

THINGS well be talking about in this video (take notes if theres more you want to remember)...
We can learn to shift from the verbal / analytic mode of processing to the more spatial mode of the right
hemisphere. Adult students beginning in art generally do not really see what is in front of their eyes that
is, they do not perceive in the special way required for drawing. They take note of whats there, and quickly
translate the perception into words and symbols mainly based on the symbol system developed throughout
childhood and on what they know about the perceived object. Betty Edwards, author of Drawing on the
Right Side of the Brain
Left-hemisphere mode: Logic, language, and keeping track of time, facts, memorization, mathematics.
This side of the brain automatically stores and offers up efficient, symbolic shortcuts for objects; it doesnt
have the capacity or patience for details or complexity. For example, a handy symbol for drawing an eye
might be a football shape with a circle inside it.
Right-hemisphere mode and getting into the zone: Your right hemisphere specializes in the
creation and enjoyment of music, visual art, dance, sports, cooking, and engagement in non-verbal and
spacial relationships and activities. In this mode, close attention to detail and how pieces fit together usually
results in losing track of time. Example: In drawing someones eye, youre not thinking about the symbol for
an eye, or that the object being drawn is called an eye; rather, you are lost in noticing
and translating the different shapes and angles, light and dark areas, hard or soft
edges, and how long or short different areas are compared to adjoining areas.
Drawing Negative Shapes: Noticing the spaces in between objects and filling
those in, rather than outlining or drawing the objects themselves. The background
in between the legs of these stools is drawn in this example. This is a great way to get
into right-hemisphere zone. Other great subjects for drawing negative shapes are
cropping in on a houseplant, ornamental grasses, or a kitchen chair turned at a 45
degree angle from you.

Optional exercise:

Example of negative
shapes in a drawing

Chinese brush taped to a yardstick (video)

Stand or sit in a chair while painting. Your bottle of ink should be placed on the floor, in a shallow tray, on top of
some newspaper in case it spills. You might want a paper towel next to the ink for wiping off any extra paint.
Paint needs to be a dark and inky consistency. Paints that would work: India Ink, or a dark and vivid hue of inky
watercolor (water added), or a bold-colored, dark acrylic paint mixed half-and-half with water (make sure to mix
it until all the chunks are gone).
Brush: If you have a pointy brush, known as a round brush, you can use that with your ink. A medium to large
brush is best. The tip should be stiff yet springy, and should be large and absorbant enough to hold a lot of ink or
paint. Chinese brushes with bamboo handles are relatively inexpensive, or round watercolor brushes work well.
Dont let the paint dry on your brush, because it might not wash out later! Keep the brush resting in a jar of clean
water if you need to take a short break.