Studio Still Life

I couldn't find a reference photo that inspired me, so decided to setup a still life. I used a fabric bin, on its side, to be able to control the light on my setup. I planned on only using the south light coming in my studio window as my light source. The sky today was overcast but the snow cover gave a nice soft light. The photos below are actually brighter than actual because the iPad adjusted the lighting in the photos. Later, the lighting from the window caused some problems.

The inside of the bin was an apple green, which I didn't like, so I cut some mat black board to line the bin. I used a nice silky fabric for the floor, but actually didn't use the pattern or color of this fabric in the end, instead choosing the complementary color of blue.

I also needed to decide which angle would make the most pleasing painting. I propped up the setup onseveral boxes until it was closer to eye level.

I was working on a 6x6 piece of UArt 500 grit pastel paper. Process shots are below. I didn't finish this because I realized after about an hour into the painting, that because I am left handed, and my window and light source was on my left and the light was fading at 4pm - I was having difficulties seeing where I was placing my marks, and trouble seeing the correct colors. Although it is unfinished, it was a good exercise.

 

 

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