Still Life Drawing Ideas For Beginners

Still Life Idea 9 - A Coffee Pot

Everyone has a coffee pot lying around. The silver or brass makes for interesting reflections which can be a great challenge for beginners.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Coffee Pot, 1884

Still Life Idea 10 - Red Peppers

If you want something more challenging than an apple, then try painting peppers. Their shapes are more varied, making them more difficult to draw or paint.

Felix Vallotton, Still Life With Red Peppers On A White Lacquered Table, 1915

Still Life Idea 11 - A Basket Of Cherries

If you want to challenge yourself by painting a large quantity of small subjects, then try painting a basket of cherries.

Felix Vallotton, Basket Of Cherries, 1921

Still Life Idea 12 - A Fish Tank

A fish tank, either empty or full, can make for an interesting composition. You do not need to include the fish in your artwork.

Henri Matisse, Goldfish, 1911

Still Life Idea 13 - A Shell

If you plan on going to the beach, then keep an eye out for whole shells as they make for fantastic subjects to draw or paint.

Rembrandt, The Shell (Conus Marmoreus) 1650

Rembrandt, The Shell 'Conus Marmoreus' 1650

Still Life Idea 14 - A Branch With Leaves

This is one of the more simple and accessable still life ideas. Just venture outside and grab a branch with leaves. Each branch will be different, so you can paint this subject over and over.

Vincent van Gogh, Branch With Leaves, 1890

Still Life Idea 15 - A Chair

Whilst not the most interesting subject, it is easy to set up and many of the famous artists seem to have painted a chair.

Samuel Peploe, Interior

Still Life Idea 16 - Chops

Much the same as the leg of ham. The unique shapes of chops can make for an interesting subject to draw or paint.

Samuel Peploe, Chops, 1930

Still Life Idea 17 - A Pot Plant

If you do not have any vibrant flower vaces around, then you could try using a simple pot plant.

Paul Cezanne, Pot Of Geraniums, 1885

Still Life Idea 18 - A Biliard Room

A biliard room makes for an interesting composition. However this is a complex scene to draw or paint, so this is reserved for more advanced artists.

Edgar Degas, The Biliard Room At Menil-Hubert, 1892

Still Life Idea 19 - Your Living Room

If you are lacking inspiration, then get out your sketchbook and start drawing your living room. It does not need to be a masterpeice.

Carl Larsson, Cosy Corner, 1894

Still Life Idea 20 - An Open Book

An easy still life scene for beginners is an open book. It does present some challenges in perspective and light.

Felix Vallotton, Still Life With Blue Trim, 1922

Still Life Idea 21 - A Bowl And Milk Jug

Another easy still life scene for beginners is a bowl and milk jug.

Paul Cezanne, Still Life, Bowl And Milk Jug, 1877

Still Life Idea 22 - A Piano

If you have a piano, it can make for an interesting still life subject, with varied shapes and subtle reflections.

Henri Matisse, Woman At The Piano, 1925

Still Life Idea 23 - Your Art Studio

What better place for inspiration than your own art studio (if you have one). Depending on how much you include in the scene, this could be as simple or complex as you like.

Henri Matisse, Red Studio, 1911

Still Life Idea 24 - A Bird's Nest

A bird's nest makes for an interesting subject, if you can find and photograph one like Vincent van Gogh was able to. Or you could just find a photograph on the internet or a book of a bird's nest.

Vincent van Gogh, Bird's Next, 1885

Still Life Idea 25 - A Statuette

If you want to venture into any kind of portrait work, then you should draw or paint a statuette. They are perfect for studying the human anatomy and how light interacts with it.

Vincent van Gogh, Plaster Statuette Of A Female Torso, 1887