CHAPTER XXVIII: STILL LIFE
Copying may well be spoken of here as it is in a sense a kind of
manipulation. It is a means of study to the student, and a useful,
sometimes necessary process to the painter. In the transferring of the
results of his sketches and studies to the final canvas, the painter must
be able to copy, and to know all the conveniences of it. Before the
painting begins on a picture, the main figures in it must be placed and
drawn on the canvas with reference the plan of it, and their relation to
that plan. This calls for some method exact reproduction of the facts
stored in the artist’s studies for that purpose. The process of copying is
that method.
The name of still life is used in English for all sorts of pictures which represent
groupings of in. animate objects except flowers. The French word for it is better than
ours. They call it “nature morte,” or dead nature.
There is no kind of painting which is more universally useful- to the student as well as
to the painter. It furnishes the means for constant, regular, and convenient study and
practice. You need never lack for something interesting to paint, nor for a model who
will sit quietly and steadily without pay, if you have some pieces of drapery, and a few
articles, of whatever shape or form, which you can group in a. convenient light.
You can make the group as simple or as difficult as you wish, and make it include any
phase of study. The advantage of its possible variety, scope, and particularly, its
convenience and cheapness and manageableness, make it the fundamental work for the
beginner.
Materials. - Practically anything and everything is available for still life. You should
be constantly on the lookout for interesting objects of all kinds. Try to get a collection
which has as much variety in form, size, and surface as you can. Old things are generally
good, but it is a mistake to suppose old and broken things the best. An object is not
intrinsically better because of its being more or less damaged, although it sometimes has
interesting qualities, as of color or history, because of its age.
What you should avoid is bad proportion, line, and color in the things you get. The
cost is not, of any importance at all. You can pick up things for a few cents which will be
most useful. Have all sorts of things, tall slim vases, and short fat jugs. Have metals and
glass, and books and plaques. They all come in, and they add to the variety and interest
of your compositions.
Draperies. - The study of drapery particularly is facilitated by still-life study. You can
arrange your draperies so that they are an essential part of your study, and will stay as