value drawing of a still life 

Students draw a still life in this oil pastel art class.  When filling in vessels with color, follow the shape of the form so color in horizontally curved strokes. When illustrations always know where your source of light is.  In this lesson the light source comes from the left, so the right side of vessel will be the darkest value.  Notice the shadow, lower, right side of table.  Notice the 3 values; highlight, middle value, + dark side.

Scroll down to find:
  1. example pictures
  2. step-by-step instructions with pictures of the project
  3. a lesson plan (including California State Visual Art Standards)

reference pictures

An example to show shading + shadows with source of light coming from upper, left side
An illustrated sample to show shadows, values, with a left source of light

still life art lesson step-by-step

Simplified step-by-step colored images are to follow.    Layer oil pastels for best results.
1. slight curve 4 base of vessel #1 or 1st vessel on left
4. white highlight  right - light source  from the right
7.  light green over colors on right side



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10. add black shadow 
 to bottom + left
13. brwn oval top -
2nd vessel



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Picture
            16white over top edge of opening to define the edge of top opening 
19. white highlight, using white oil pastel - on right side - lifework should follow the curve of the vessel or cylinder
22. sides + top
2. 2 parallel vertical lines at curve ends
5. black on left side for shade of vessel number #1
8.  green over colors in top opening - over the white oil pastel



11. brown curve base 
2nd vessel
14. oval top -blk left  + highlight or orange right 
17. blk shade left + orange on right
20. blk shadow - bottom left 
23. blk shadow-  bottom left
3. oval on top of parallel lines 4 opening
6. green over the entire body of the form
9. white/light gr top edge of opening
12. 2 brwn vertical sides to begin 2nd vessel ( all 3 drawn similarly
15. Brwn over entire top of 2nd vessel
​to even + blend colors



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18. brwn over entire middle vessel
21. oval - base 3rd vessel - all 3 vessels or cylinders are drawn + colored in the same manner - highlights = source of light, shadows on opposite side or left
24. oval - blk left, white right
25. brwn on entire oval
26. wh highlight edge of oval
27. blk left, wh right on body
Picture
 28.borwn on entire shape
29. wht over brwn on right
30. horizontal table line
31. color table wht or grey
32. finished art piece
33. finished art piece

oil pastel lesson plan

objective

Students will make a simple, still life drawing using oil pastels as the medium.  Students will show knowledge of shading + highlights in their projects.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of use of medium.  When complete, students will have a completed oil pastel still life illustration..  

materials

  • Black construction paper 9"x12" approx
  • oil pastels
  • paper to cover desk with

activity

1. Show students what a still life is.  Basically something that is still in life.  It is a realistic picture.
2. Explain what a shadow is + that shadows appear on the opposite side than the source of light.
3.  Have students try to color each vessel using horizontally curved strokes.
4.  Oil pastels should be layered to look more like paint then crayons were used.
5.  See step-by-step instructions above.

clean-up

  • There is not much clean-up
  • Stop class allowing time for collection of oil pastels, projects,  + washing hands.
  • Hand wipes can also be used for hands then desks.

vocabulary words

  • color -  The visual sensation dependent on the reflection or absorption of light from a given surface.  The three characteristics of color are hue, value, and intensity.
  • elements of art - sensory components used to create works of art: line, color, shape/form, texture, value, space. 
  • shade - Color darkened with black added.
  • shape - a two-dimensional work of art either in the round (to be viewed from all sides) or in bas relief (low relief in which figures protrude slightly from the background).
  • Unity - Total visual effect in a composition achieved by the careful blending of the elements of art + the principles of design.

variation

  • use different colors 4 vessels
  • vary background paper color
  • fill upper background with color
  • use a variation of shaped vessels 4 more advanced lesson
  • 4 easier lesson use only 1 vessel or 2 instead of 3 in still life

ca state visual arts standards

1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION
Analyze Art Elements and Principles of Design
1.3 Identify the elements of art in objects in nature, the environment, and works of art, emphasizing line, color, shape/form, texture, and space.  
2.0 CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Skills, Processes, Materials, and Tools
2.2 Demonstrate beginning skill in the use of art media, such as oil pastels, watercolors, and tempera.