STEP 2: MIX YOUR COLORS 

• Create a set of three secondary colors: purple, green, and orange. 

• Neutralize each color slightly, using its compliment.  

• Then lighten (with white) each color till it's about 50% grey. 

• You will be doing a lot of cross mixing between colors. 

STEP 3: PAINTING THE DARKEST PARTS OF THE BOTTLE 

• This painting is a "high key" painting- so it is predominantly light in value. 

• The darks of the bottle are only going to be as dark as the medium-toned values that you mixed earlier. 

• Be extremely sensitive to the temperature shifts! 

• Most of your darks will be cool neutral greens and violets. 

• Also establish a cast shadow. 

STEP 4: ADD THE BACKGROUND COLOR- THIS IS IMPORTANT 

• The bottle is transparent, which means that most of the colors used to paint it are some variation of the background color. 

• Over-exaggerate the background color- use a warm, orange or yellow based neutral. This will help when you add the colors to your bottle, I promise. 

• Establish the background early in your painting so you have something to compare your colors to. 

STEP 5: CONTINUE ADDING WARM TONES INSIDE THE BOTTLE 

• Add the warm background tones inside the perimeter of the bottle. 

• Pay attention to areas that are lighter and darker and warmer and cooler. 

STEP 6: FINISH OUT THE BACKGROUND AND ADD THE HIGHLIGHTS 

• Paint the background all the way to the edges of your paper/panel after you completely block in your subject. 

• Pay very close attention to the outside edge of the silhouette. 

• Some areas are lighter than the background, some darker, and some the edge disappears completely. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Put in the very  lightest highlights using pure white mixed with just a touch of color from your orange color thread. 

• The highlights will be located where the glass curves in such a way that it reflects light directly back to the viewer's eyes. 

• The lightest areas will be most obvious at the neck of the bottle and around the rim. 

• The darkest areas will be along the bottom of the bottle. 

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Using the available still life objects, carefully plan a still life using the clear/transparent glass bottles. 

You need to consider the following when planning your still life: 

• Composition

  • Create an engaging and balanced arrangement.

  • Experiment with overlapping or grouping objects.

  • Consider negative space and how it contributes to your overall composition.
    
    

• Lighting

  • Select lighting that clearly shows transparency and reflections.

  • Experiment with side-lighting or backlighting to enhance the visibility of highlights, reflections, and shadows.

  • Observe how light refracts through curved surfaces.
    
    

• Background

  • Choose a background that contrasts well with the transparent objects, emphasizing their edges and shapes.

  • Consider neutral or subtly colored backgrounds to prevent overwhelming the glass objects.
    
    

• Reflection and Refraction

  • Carefully observe how glass distorts objects behind or around it.

  • Look for reflections on surfaces, especially the highlights created by lighting.
    
    

• Variety and Contrast

  • Select bottles with different shapes, heights, textures, and thicknesses for visual interest.

  • Combine transparent objects with opaque or semi-transparent objects if desired, to create contrast and depth.
    
    

• Viewpoint

  • Decide on your viewpoint and angle to create a visually interesting composition.

  • Experiment with eye-level, slightly elevated, or below eye-level perspectives.
    
    

• Surface

  • Consider the surface on which your objects rest. Reflective surfaces, matte surfaces, fabric, or patterned surfaces can each dramatically influence the final image.
    
    

• Complexity

  • Plan a composition that is both challenging yet manageable for your skill level.

  • Avoid overly simple or overly complicated arrangements.
    
    

• Value and Color

  • Consider how the transparent objects affect the colors seen through or reflected in the glass.

  • Pay careful attention to subtle shifts in value created by transparency.
    
    

• Unity and Harmony

• Aim for a unified arrangement that holds visual harmony, considering both the objects and the overall environment.