Oil Painting Still Life Demonstration

Author: Li Zhensheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Sketching first involves observing nature through one's own eyes, observing objects. In other words, sketching is about painting what we see with our eyes, seeking depth and truth. However, this does not mean copying or imitating nature in a naturalistic manner. Short sketches should not be flat, empty, or dull, but longer works should not be overly focused on details and. Instead, one must keenly perceive and grasp the initial impression that comes from the heart, through color and brushwork to communicate with the subject, continuously strengthening and enriching this feeling during the painting process. Painting too thoroughly can make the work stiff and lack vitality, while painting too simply or superficially can make it feel empty and monotonous. Achieving "just the right balance" is a key training topic in our sketching process. In completing a sketch, how much weight is given to the objective factors of the natural subject and how much to the subjective artistic feeling—handling the opposition and unity of these subjective and objective elements—is also the purpose and task of our sketching training. Sketching also trains and cultivates our ability to observe objects and nature in depth, discovering what truly moves us. Then, we use our brushwork and color to express the poetic and artistic charm we feel in our hearts. The relationship between intention and unintention, between resemblance and dissimilarity, is the true essence of our sketching training.
Oil color sketching and gouache color sketching have now become essential subjects for art exams in China's higher art colleges. Color sketching training is also the necessary path for beginners to progress from exercises to creation and artistic expression. Through rigorous color sketching training, in addition to cultivating solid realistic skills and profound color appreciation, one can also accurately and skillfully grasp the inner spirit of color sketching through long-term practice. Most of the works in this book are demonstration paintings for teaching purposes. These works showcase the basic techniques and steps of color sketching. Although they are exercises, they reflect the fundamental teaching standards and requirements. These works vary in style and form, including short-term exercises that pursue generalization, simplicity, and wholeness; as well as longer exercises that involve in-depth study, analysis, and depiction of objects, resulting in more complete works. Some works are rendered with meticulous, subtle, and nuanced detail, while others are concise, expressive, and lively, showcasing artistic qualities. When painting, in addition to fully expressing subtle relationships between forms and colors, I place greater emphasis on the depth and richness of the overall feeling. I often find that spontaneous, expressive, and unrestrained paintings, leaving a lingering impression, are the artistic character I truly seek.