Medium and Requirements: One acrylic painting in full greyscale 1-10 on 9” x 12” bristol.
Subject Matter: 3 spherical objects carefully composed on a table with direct light source and shadows. Possible subjects could include fruit (3 of the same), eggs, nuts, pods, or colored and textured balls such as beachballs, pool balls, golf balls, baseballs, etc. A cloth or table surface with shadows should be included.
Objectives: 1.) To compose an interesting and balanced composition with 3 spheres. 2.) To create the illusion of volume with light and shadow. 3.) To practice the translation of color into greyscale values. 4. To learn to mix colors and apply paintstrokes without blending.
Instructions: Arrange the spheres on a table under a direct light source which comes from one direction. Using your viewfinder, compose an arrangement that makes good use of all negative and positive shapes, including shadows. You may sketch out the composition in pencil first if you find it necessary. Lay out some black and white acrylic on your palette and mix a selection of greys which match the colors in your still-life. Using the greyscale chart on your color wheel, begin to match each area of color with an equivalent grey value. Lay down patches of paint in a series of small brushstrokes. If possible, try not to blend the character of the brushstokes away. This will make the texture of the painting more interesting (more painterly). Try to put down a stroke of paint and leave it alone.
Eventually, the entire surface of the picture should be covered, the spheres should appear volumetric, and the space should be convincing. The tactile surface of the objects you have chosen (smooth, rough, or highly textured ) should be apparent. Brushstrokes simulating surface texture should condense and darken as the surface curves around its edge and into shadow.
