Still Life Drawing with Caroline Walls

Images by Stephanie Stamatis

Ahead of her next Still Life Drawing class, Melbourne-based artist Caroline Walls shares her tips for trying still life drawing at home. "I am interested in the emotion and and essence of an object, without focusing too heavily on the very specific details. Instead I use fast, expressive lines, creating gestures on the paper to compose the representation, rather than mimicking the exact lines and proportion in front of me." "The beauty of sketching is that it take very little to begin the process. A piece of paper and a drawing tool such as a pencil or piece of charcoal is all you need, so this in itself is very freeing." "Essentially it's about finding a subject matter that moves you, that makes you think or look twice. Before putting pencil to paper you must first learn to really see. Observe all of the shapes, edges and forms to really strengthen the connection between your eyes, hand and brain."

Before putting pencil to paper you must first learn to really see.

"Through trial and error you can begin to feel how a single line can define form, create structure, divide a frame and trace contours of any given object. Move your arm fluidly, be bold with mark-making and use confident, unapologetic strokes."

Move your arm fluidly, be bold with mark-making and use confident, unapologetic strokes.

"Celebrate a lines presence and try to lose yourself in the process of putting pencil to paper, free from constraints and any expectations of the outcome - this kind of drawing has a meditative quality that can offer a real sense of calm." "Finished drawings should have a sense of vitality and movement to them, the hope is always that you will establish a kind of rhythm on the page." @carolinewallsart @studio.local Still Life Studies at Studio Local