The techniques of painting still life with an oil brush involve multiple aspects, including composition, color application, brushstroke control and detail handling, etc. Here are some key tips:
Composition arrangement
Before starting to paint, carefully observe the still life to determine the composition of the picture. Consider the placement position, size ratio, shape characteristics of the objects and the relationships among them.
Use a pencil or light-colored paint to gently outline the outline and general position of the object on the canvas, ensuring the composition is accurate.
Color matching
Carefully observe the color changes of still life objects, including inherent colors, light source colors and environmental colors.
Mix accurate colors on the color palette, paying attention to the variations in color purity and lightness.
You can first lay out the large tones and use large blocks of color to summarize the basic color relationship of the object.
Stroke control
Choose the appropriate brushstrokes according to the texture and shape of the object. For instance, use thick brushstrokes to depict rough surfaces of objects and fine brushstrokes to draw smooth ones.
Control the force and direction of the brushstrokes to express the three-dimensional effect and texture of the object.
The brushstrokes can be diverse, but the overall harmony and unity should be maintained.
Hierarchical shaping
Start shaping the object from the dark areas and gradually transition to the bright ones. The colors in the dark areas should be relatively deep, while those in the bright areas should be bright and saturated.
Pay attention to the boundary line of light and shade of the object, which is a key part of presenting the three-dimensional effect of the object.
Layering colors makes the picture more rich and delicate.
Detailed depiction
Based on the overall shaping, further depict the details of the object, such as texture, highlights, shadows, etc.
Use a small oil painting brush for detailed depiction to ensure the accuracy and fineness of the brushstrokes.
The depiction of details should be moderate. Do not overly pursue meticulousness and lose the overall harmony.
Light and shadow processing
Carefully observe the direction and intensity of the light source and accurately represent the changes in light and shadow of the object.
In the shadow area, pay attention to the variation in color depth and the handling of the blurriness and blurriness at the edges.
The highlights should be left blank or gently touched with light colors to show the luster of the object.
Overall adjustment
During the painting process, one should constantly observe the overall effect and promptly adjust the color, light and shade, and composition of the picture.
If some parts are drawn too heavily or too lightly, they should be modified and adjusted in time.
Maintain the overall sense and harmony of the picture to make it more vivid and realistic.