Whether you’re someone who’s new to drawing or simply an artist with creative block, everyone needs a little help now and then to get their creativity flowing. This is especially the case if you’re currently stuck inside due to COVID-19 lockdowns. It’s understandable if the current situation has you feeling a little lackluster, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find things to draw from your immediate surroundings.
Drawing or painting a little each day will not only help pass the time, but it will also improve your artistic skill (and mood). And if you’re struggling to come up with a subject, think of objects you have lying around that you can look at first-hand—a collection of houseplants, a pair of shoes, or your favorite chair. By choosing everyday items that are visually interesting, you can pay homage to traditional still life art while practicing your observation skills.
Creating a Modern Still Life
Throughout history, still life artists have shown that beauty can be found in everyday objects. From the flower paintings of Northern Renaissance artists to the tabletop compositions of modernists, capturing objects in pencil or paint allows them to live on forever as a moment frozen in time. Today, many artists are putting a contemporary twist on the timeless tradition by creating still lifes of modern-day objects and food.
If you want to create your own modern still lifes, we’ve compiled a list of drawing ideas, according to each room in the average home. When choosing your subjects, try to select objects that have different textures, reflections, surfaces, and forms. Create your own compositions by setting your chosen items in groups or alone, and why not try experimenting with different angles and perspectives?
Want to find your own personal style? Try these 8 different types of drawing styles.
Ready to start drawing? Here’s a list of things to draw, according to each room in your home.
Living Room
- The interior of your living room
- House plants
- The contents of your book shelf
- A vase of flowers
- The pattern on the floor (wood grain, marble, carpet close-up)
- Your favorite chair
- An interesting lamp
Kitchen
- The fruit bowl
- Cutlery
- A close-up of a spoon
- A collection of different drinking glasses
- Vegetables cut in half
- The contents of your fridge
- An object in a glass dish
- Pots and pans
- A dining table full of food
Bedroom
- Your bed sheets (try capturing a close-up of the folds and creases)
- The view from your window
- Crumpled up paper
- Your favorite hat
- Your fanciest shoes
- A stack of books
- An interesting knick-knack
- A collection of your favorite things
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Bathroom
- Towels
- The taps on your bath or sink
- Your toothbrush
- Toothpaste coming out from the tube
- Interesting shampoo bottles
- A rubber duck
- A loofah
- Your reflection in the mirror
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Want even more drawing prompts? You can pick up 642 Things to Draw online at My Modern Met Store.
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