24 August 2015

Still Life Demo at Peninsula Gallery

Home » Still Life Demo at Peninsula Gallery

Saturday past I was set up at Peninsula Gallery, in Sidney, BC for an ‘art encounter.’ From 1-4pm I worked on a still life set up in front of me. It was fun and although it wasn’t busy (the good part of that was that I got to get some work done!), I had some ardent admirers. 🙂 There was one woman who sat and watched me almost through the whole process. Now that was commitment!

Basically I worked the entire three hours and at the end, I came out with a painting of a still life that I’m pleased with. Peninsula Gallery’s manager Vivian liked it so much, she kept it for exhibiting in the gallery. Yay!!

Luckily I remembered to take a few photos as I worked. Have a look…

Here's the still life set up that I painted — Here’s the still life set up that I painted. I was so happy that I’d remembered to bring a floodlight with me – made all the difference to see clear cast shadows!

First the thumbnail sketch of my still life to figure out my three-values pattern and decide whether the composition will work. And yes it does! — First the thumbnail sketch of the still life to figure out my three-values pattern and decide whether the composition will work. And yes it does! (I forgot to darken the spoon’s handle but it was a very quick sketch. Did you catch that?)

Still life drawn on Wallis Belgian Mist paper using vine charcoal — Here’s the vine charcoal drawing on Wallis Belgian Mist paper. I took quite a bit of care to get the placement of objects and spaces as accurate as I could. I also had to move the drawing over to the left to make room for the off-the-plate apple. You can see the many lines as I moved everything over.

A photo of the box of Schminke pastels before being used or reorganized into values. Yummy colours but a limited choice for my still life! — A photo of my box of Schminke pastels before being used or reorganized into values. It doesn’t look like that anymore that’s for sure but this was the photo I had on hand. Yummy colours but still, a limited choice!

First three values applied to the still life — First three values applied. You can really see the abstract pattern of the piece here.

Starting to build the layers in the still life — Starting to build the layers. I am struggling with the limited palette to find the colours I see – making choices from what I have, always cognizant of getting the values right!

Really starting to build the forms in the stilllife and pay attention to all the colours I see. I am doing a lot of Look, See, Do - my mantra! — Really starting to build the forms and paying attention to all the colours I see. I’m doing a lot of Look, See, Do – my mantra!

And because it's kind of interesting, here's the above photo of the still life rendered in black and white. (I didn't actually take the photo in black and white which may have turned out a bit differently. — And because it’s kind of interesting, here’s the above photo of the still life rendered in black and white. (I didn’t actually take the photo in black and white which may have turned out a bit differently but you get the idea.)

And here are the thirteen Schminke pastels (and vine charcoal) I used

A limited palette really challenges you to work with values and broaden your colour range. It can get frustrating at times for sure but it’s also a great way to push yourself out of any comfort zone you might be in! Try it and let me know what happens.

It was exciting to see my still life demo being advertised outside the doors of the prestigious Peninsula Gallery! — It was exciting to see my demo being advertised outside the doors of the prestigious Peninsula Gallery!

Well that’s it for me until next time. I’d looooove to hear from you!

Keep pastelling 🙂

~ Gail

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Colour Schemes: Gail Sibley, "Bowser View," Unison pastels on UART 400 grade paper, 12 x 9 in. Available.

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Using black paper: Gail Sibley, "We Three," Unison Colour pastels on UART black 400, 12 x 9 in - detail of shoes

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6 thoughts on “Still Life Demo at Peninsula Gallery”

Robert A. Sloan
Tuesday, 25 August 2015 at 10:00 am

Wow! Love the painting and the way you turned that bright limited palette into a harmony that sings. Gorgeous painting.

Reply
1. Gail Sibley
  Tuesday, 25 August 2015 at 3:25 pm
  
  Thank you Robert!
  
  Reply
Gailen Lovett
Tuesday, 25 August 2015 at 12:23 pm

Lovely pastel! Thanks for the step by step – always learn watching you paint with limited color choices. it’s one thing limiting yourself in the privacy of your studio but amazing doing it in front of an audience. Kudos Gail!
Gailen Lovett

Reply
1. Gail Sibley
  Tuesday, 25 August 2015 at 3:26 pm
  
  Thanks so much Gailen. I find the more I work in front of people the easier it gets. Also, if I am just demoing for people coming and going rather than in a class or at a presentation then I find I can more easily get into the zone and get work done! Still, it’s a lot slower process but maybe all for the good 🙂
  
  Reply
Daggi Wallace
Tuesday, 25 August 2015 at 1:30 pm

Love the post and painting! Since you asked: here is a blog post I wrote about a very similar thing, painting a still life with an extremely limited palette. I taught a 3 hour class doing this and actually found it very liberating and most of all FUN!!
http://daggistudio.com/blog/74844/teaching-pastel-from-total-beginner-to-finished-painting-in-3-short-hours

Reply
1. Gail Sibley
  Tuesday, 25 August 2015 at 3:31 pm
  
  Daggi glad you enjoyed the post and the painting. Thanks for sharing the link to your blog. I remember when you asked the question of other teachers how to go about teaching a three hour class. I’ll be using your idea in the future!
  
  Reply

Gail Sibley

Artist. Blogger. Teacher.

My love of pastel and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about pastel inspired the creation of this blog. It has tips, reviews, some opinions:), and all manner of information regarding their use through the years – old and new. Please enjoy!