Still Life Drawing in Color with Caran d'Ache Crayons: Set Up & Techniques

[@artprof]

See our acrylic painting tutorial for more tips on painting a still life! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXe4fayKm5KFsK8

[@damecupcake]

I am amazed at the amount of information you imparted in this video: materials, composition, lighting, etc. Thank you for generously providing this!

[@artprof]

Thank you! Our approach to our tutorials is to show the entire arc of the process from beginning to end. In our research we have seen that many tutorials show one part of the process, which can make figuring out the rest challenging. Of course, that means we have much longer tutorials, but showing a complete experience is important to us!

[@ladygwarth]

I am a self taught artist who didn’t start painting till my mid forties. I have read books and watched many other KZbin artist videos, (initially learning the techniques of the Old Masters) but your videos are the best for actual, real teaching and learning. I love to paint still life and although I have done some of the things you have suggested instinctively, this has been so informative and I have learnt loads, many thanks for sharing your knowledge, it is much appreciated.

[@artprof]

Thanks for sharing your journey with painting with us! If you like still life painting, you might like our oil painting tutorial, Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moHaaX1ofJyWp6s and Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6rdqph3j65sqas -Prof Lieu

[@m.i.miller8008]

Thank you. I have learnt more in 45 minutes about still life than 20 years of arts lessons. Great video and excellent teacher.

[@artprof]

Wow, that is such an honor! We are so glad you liked this video-- feel free to check out this one about pursuing a self-taught artist curriculum, it might be up your alley :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXqoiYhnqbVrqKs - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@DaniellaR-xp4cp]

I love that you see art in everything.

[@artprof]

Thank you! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@jcepri]

OMG Professor, Some TV network seriously needs to scoop you up to have your own show. I learned SO much from this. I love the little vignettes in between that illustrate how the Masters implemented these concepts. By the way, I think of high saturation and muted earth times as extroverts and introverts.:-) They need each other to shine. THANK YOU for this amazing video!!!

[@artprof]

Hahaha the funny thing is that we did at the very beginning pitch to a station for a loooooong time, they ditched us, said there wasn’t any interest in art and they were focused on STEM. That’s why we set off on our own! -Prof Lieu

[@sputnik2100]

I love how encouraging and informative your lessons are, thank you so much!

[@artprof]

I'm so glad!

[@hermexhermex]

The this is the best art instruction I’ve seen yet! I love the art history you fold in. Thank you!

[@artprof]

You are so welcome! We're so happy you enjoyed it :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@BigHenFor]

I feel like a sausage, stuffed to the gills with so much useful information in this one video. Thank you very much for a real lesson. So much fundamental technique in this, it feels like a Swiss Army Knife - every part something useful you can carry with you everyday to create so much more. This would I imagine pay any repeated viewing. Absolute gold. Thank you, Professor Lieu

[@artprof]

Omg this is the best comment I've read all week! -Prof Lieu

[@binkieinkisham2519]

A Superb valuable video, who would have thought setting up a still life would have so many questions/thoughts. Many thanks.

[@lisengel2498]

Great video with many important informations - and I especially loved “ color is like relationship” and “color is like people. They change when they meet another color”

[@artprof]

That's so true, a beautiful way to think about color! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@mihir89rd]

I watched this video last night, got inspired, did my first still life oil pastel painting today,and now I am back to see what else I can learn from the video backed up by my drawing experience today

[@artprof]

Wonderful! I don't know if you are on Instagram, but you can tag us @art.prof and use #artprofshare. We would love to see what you made ! -Prof Lieu

[@vitaminandreja]

I just wanted to say that I am so thankful for the entirety of art prof. This one 45 minute had more info than i ever got from an art school that was around 150-200 euros for semester, im not disappointed in it, met some really amazing people, but just wish they taught us more. Recently my family has endured money problems and having someone who is producing good content for free is so valuable. Im very grateful that i have found this channel and got the chance to interact with such a wonderful community. Hopefully in the future i can support art prof financially. Sending lots of love from Lithuania Me, mum and Kloja (dog)

[@artprof]

That is so sweet, thank you so much for taking the time to write to us!! We're so happy to be able to create with you and provide lessons that might help you out. If you're looking for a self-taught artist curriculum, we have one here that you might love: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXqoiYhnqbVrqKs Give Kloja a treat from us! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@atandriladasaditi4394]

I really likeee how passionate you are about teaching!!! And your videos really helped me revive my love for paint

[@artprof]

I'm glad these videos are inspiring you to paint again, that makes us feel so good! ❤️ -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@fraufuchs9555]

This video is soooo rich. Wow. Thanks a million for all the work you guys put into this.

[@artprof]

So happy you think so!! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@shinaken]

These are amazing still life and tips for creating art from still life in general. I feel like leaving out crayon would've attracted a wider audience because the content of this video is more widely applicable than only Crayon. Almost, the opposite of click bait.

[@nadifouldi3131]

You are a great teacher, thanks so much.

[@artprof]

You're very welcome! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@stoneymorris5366]

I enjoy your style and sensible instruction very much friend. very informative. you're on the right path Clara. great professor.

[@artprof]

Tysm!! -Prof Lieu

[@raerae6422]

An absolute gem of a tutorial! I love that you mentioned an object should look fun to draw. Wishing i took notes. So. Much. Great. Info. Thank-you, Prof Leiu, youve given me all i need (knowledge and a nudge) to try still-life.

[@artprof]

We're so happy you think so! Good luck with your still life-- if you want to learn more about still life, feel free to click this link: artprof.org/?s=still+life - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@mahmoudabdelhady4463]

This channel is a gold mine of information, especially for self taught artists who haven't had any academic training before. So thank you SO MUCH for your efforts 👌 🙏

[@artprof]

We are so thankful for the kind words!! Thank you so much :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@itsjudystube]

That is possibly the most informative and interesting demo on still life I have seen.

[@ArtistWizardry]

Wow. That was awesome. SO much more appreciation for still life after watching this video.

[@junieosterheldt6247]

I’m really glad that you said the point of drawing isn’t complete accuracy. When I first started drawing still lives I always thought it needed to be 100% accurate and realistic. This always lead me to get burned out really fast, and I would hate drawing anything from life for this reason. This video helped me a lot and I’m actually having a lot of fun, so I think I might do this more often! Thanks for everything you all do at art prof! It really has helped me improve quite a lot, so I really appreciate you all so much!

[@artprof]

That's so awesome, we're so glad you liked the video! I totally share the same opinion when it comes to still lives-- I get so bored and fed up if it has to be 100% accurate. Making them unique and funky is WAY more fun! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@litrallynotmebruh9531]

This is very helpful. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@artprof]

Thanks for visiting! You might like my oil painting tutorial, which features a still life as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moHaaX1ofJyWp6s -Prof Lieu

[@robertelwilson]

So much great info here! Just ordered some neocolors can’t wait to try them out. Thanks for the great art class!

[@artprof]

Ohhh have fun! We also have this video on learning color layering with C'aran D'ache crayons: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h32YeY16ZtB4oLs -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@tasha5246]

SO SO helpful! Thank you SO much!

[@lisah336]

It's interesting how different this feels from your Bread Fairy still lifes. Thanks for the excellent technical guidance.

[@artprof]

Yes, totally different scenarios! -Prof Lieu

[@carolinepiette8442]

I am a self-taught artist of 10 years, ( I am 24). After watching this video, I am so surprised by how much I've taught myself and with how much I still don't know! I would say colour is one of the strongest attributes in my paintings. I am very sensitive to it and really put the time into achieving its overall placement in my work. In this video, your topic on colours provided so many points and dept to it, it has given me a lightbulb moment! This is the information I have been missing!! I know I'll be rewatching this video until it is a learned skill of mine. Thank you so much, Clara!

[@artprof]

So glad we could fill in that space! Isn't it amazing how much there is to learn? We have a playlist of art fundamentals you might like: kzbin.info/aero/PLvt8_pMl6ywkxWh-C2AI_bzLr7ccJeVTB -Marc Stier, Art Prof Staff

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

Great video ... dropping knowledge bombs like a boss

[@artprof]

Omg I love this comment so much. -Prof Lieu

[@itsjoshbarranco]

i love the pepper in the wine glass! stunning.

[@kerry5586]

I am so glad I found you. You have some great videos and are very eloquent. I look forward to watching all of the videos.

[@artprof]

Thank you for your lovely comment, you might also like this self-portrait tutorial I did using the same crayons in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3yvXmhtfcqrec0 -Prof Lieu

[@jcepri]

Agreed 100% She is awesome!

[@meganbearz]

love the analogy about colors and people - this is fantastic! thank you

[@artprof]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@monkeybearmax]

I loved this piece! It’s quirky, humorous colorful and full of interesting details! Really like your artwork Lauryn!

[@artprof]

We're so glad you liked the video! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@neiladrianorilla660]

That was a lot of information. All are very helpful and useful.

[@artprof]

Glad it was helpful! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@neiladrianorilla660]

Thank you for all that you do

[@monikaazariah9237]

Wow...this was so helpful

[@attheranch873]

Wonderful video!!! I’m in my 60s now, so my hands can’t apply much pressure. I found that if I use the water soluble oil pastels on whiteboard to block in the image completely, I don’t have to press hard. I can just use a wet brush to spread the oil pastel. Then when it’s dry I can use regular oil pastel on top. I also paint sitting down now, whereas I used to stand for 10 hours at a time! I’ve had to find ways to work around the decreased strength in my body.

[@artprof]

Great solution, love it! -Prof Lieu

[@kanwalkhan4419]

You are amazingly clear and good :)

[@artprof]

Thank you so much for watching! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@wendyproud2201]

Thankyou so much for such comprehensive,no gimmicks instruction.An excellent teacher! I have only just discovered artprof.org and I'm really excited .

[@artprof]

Glad to hear you are enjoying our content! Thank you!

[@sineanahita3383]

This was awesome. So much good information. Thanks!

[@artprof]

You are so welcome! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@crewsforchrist762]

Wow! you did a whole large drawing with neocolor 1? wow! Thanks for using neocolor 1

[@artprof]

Thanks for watching! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@MariaRevArt]

Great series of videos. A lot of really helpful information that will certainly make a difference in my art going forward.

[@artprof]

Thanks! If you visit this course on Artprof.org we have many more accompanying resources for this tutorial. artprof.org/courses/drawing-in-color-still-life/ If you register (for free) you can ask our staff questions too in our ASK section: artprof.org/ask/

[@deboramoreira7921]

Hi Clara! Thank you for this video! I used to have so many doubts and feel lost on how to arrange my composition... But I'm still wondering of how much I should spread my objects or concentrate in certain point... and if there isnt a focal point at still life pieces... I guess it really depends on the artists purpose isnt it!? I love your explanations I wish I had a teacher like you❤

[@artprof]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I think ultimately composition comes down to trying a wide variety of set ups. Try some set ups that are denser, and then try some where the objects are spread further apart. I personally don't think one focal point is always necessary, I think you can have multiple areas to concentrate on as long as the composition has areas where the eye can rest. Take a look at "The Raft of the Medusa: by Gericault and also "Las Meninas" by Velazquez, those are two very complex compositions that have multiple focal points. Good luck!

[@isaiasxd4453]

Woww greath lesson

[@artprof]

Thank you!! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@saundrayork767]

I am new to crayons although not new to art. My experience is in watercolors, P&I and pastels. Since watching your Self-Portrait video, I have been trying to learn more about crayon techniques. I wish you had broken this into two separate videos. Establishing the still life arrangement was thorough enough but it felt rushed. The section on techniques I wish had been longer and covered more options on creating textures, details, i.e.: finishing. I always learn from watching you.

[@artprof]

Thanks for your feedback on this video!

[@NRogoza]

thank you for your work!!

[@artprof]

Thanks, glad to hear you like our content! We recently launched artprof.org/, we have tons of visual art resources there! If you register (for free) you can ask our staff questions too.

[@juliesaint-pierre7588]

your fantastic love this

[@artprof]

Thank YOU for watching! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@robertelwilson]

Thanks!

[@artprof]

Thank you so much!!! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@priyadarshini996]

Really informative video! I had some questions if you don’t mind - wouldn’t adding a light source with a yellowish light change the coolness/ warmth of the composition? Also, is a black mat board better overall than a white canvas? Thanks so much

[@artprof]

It does, but in the best way! What was a cool object now has a warm shadow, I think it's great. I don't think black mat board is "better," it's a matter of what you want to do and how you work. -Prof Lieu

[@森下典樹]

thank you for sharing 😁

[@artprof]

Thank you for watching! We have more free resources on our main site: artprof.org/

[@huchencourouleau7304]

Very nice one! I have learned a lot from you but can u do a video about color temperature?! I can never know that and I don’t get why it is so key for painting! It literally drives me nuts like shadow color can be cool or warm! Sometimes when I do the shadow and I mess it up since the tree shadow doesn’t look like shadow instead of .... dead leaves!!! I think that is something to do with temperature

[@purple455]

I actually struggle with the opposite problem of only using very muted and earthy colors when using traditional mediums, I think the very saturated and bright colors intimidate me but I've been trying to get better at using them, especially when doing still life paintings

[@artprof]

I had the toughest time with color, struggled with my my whole life because I was terrified of using the bright colors. I think you'll like this video I did with Tony Janello, who completely transformed my understanding of color: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h32YeY16ZtB4oLs -Prof Lieu

[@purple455]

@@artprof thanks I'll definitely check it out

[@neilagangitlog]

3:00 Prof Lieu: don't choose objects that will rot on you Also Prof Lieu: makes an oil painting of a jackfruit

[@artprof]

Omg I feel so called out 😂😂😂- Prof Lieu

[@neilagangitlog]

@@artprof 😁

[@amandakazmark9107]

Can I use nupastel, conte crayons and hard pastel sticks for still life. I know your using neopastel here. I’m new and trying to learn.

[@artprof]

That's so awesome, keep it up! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@tumblingrosesstudio]

I would love to read a history and theory of still life

[@artprof]

That would be really interesting!! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@agfagaevart]

29:00 a colour study...cool. no blending??

[@artprof]

Blending effects are created by layering the colors with the Caran d'Ache crayons!

[@NayrbRellimer]

These look like Crayola crayons on steroids. I'd love to try these artist grade wax crayons out some day.

[@majidasabri5122]

what type of color used in this painting?

[@artprof]

Haha, artists are always their own worst critics! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@dochappy26]

I'm curious what size set of the crayons you'd recommend? Would something like the 15 piece work for this kind of still life or is it better to get a larger set? (I realise it's somewhat dependent on what is actually in the still life, but these aren't exactly as easy as paint to blend or create your own colours.)

[@artprof]

I think a 15 piece set is totally sufficient. If you can afford it, a larger set is handy, but you can definitely survive without a larger set. If anything, I personally like the challenge of working with fewer colors; it means that you have to layer more and work harder to create the subtle shifts of color. When there are more colors available, you don't have to work as hard! I had an oil painting teacher once who only let our class paint with 3 colors: red, yellow, blue and white. I thought he was nuts, but I afterwards I saw that because I had to mix so much to get a wide range of colors, that it really got me to learn how to mix colors in a much more sophisticated manner!

[@dochappy26]

Art Prof: Create & Critique This is great. Thanks for responding so quickly! I'm off to get a small set and get to work.

[@artprof]

Yay! Please show us what you create, we love seeing what people do!

[@shelleyj.3151]

Do you know CatCreature? Thats her youtube user but her name is Isabelle. She does alot of beautiful art!

[@artprof]

Yes, I did see her art school portfolio video!

[@almaquintana3241]

what are your opinions on using fake fruit for your still lifes?

[@artprof]

I think using real fruit would be "better", but I often use fake objects for convenience's sake! You can still learn a lot about color and form from fake fruits :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@muskndusk]

Are you using what Brits call oil pastels, or cheaper wax crayons (normally used by children)?

[@artprof]

We aren't using oil pastels, we're using Caran d'Ache crayons, which are wax crayons, but they are very high quality and wonderful to draw with! More info on the crayons is in our course: artprof.org/courses/drawing-in-color-still-life/

[@muskndusk]

Art Prof: Thank you for the information.

[@danyamariegeddes8320]

My mind wants to know what they smell like 🙄

[@mdwasifchowdhury1583]

The color used in this piece reminds me of Vincent van gogh !( I have zero idea why)

[@artprof]

Haha, I can see it! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@lisah336]

Now I want to go do some thumbnails. Thanks.

[@franziska9260]

I now have the greatest urge to paint a hat and an apple

[@Mercyforthewicked]

is this actual crayon or pastel?

[@artprof]

These are Caran d'Ache Neocolor I crayons, they're really smooth vibrant crayons, totally different that the Crayola ones that a lot of people use in kindergarten! amzn.to/2xxSMe3 (Amazon affiliate link) -Prof Lieu

[@juliaalvarez1168]

🙏👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💐

[@artprof]

:DDD - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@attheranch873]

I’m going to try putting a heating pad under a thin drawing board so I don’t have to press so hard. My hands aren’t strong anymore.

[@gasungmab9365]

She called a Longan fruit a dragon fruit

[@artprof]

OOPS 😬 I guess that's what happens when you're on set trying to talk about composition! (trust me, I do know the difference IRL😂)

[@lisafred1362]

I hate these ads that come up with a great body exercising before I get to your content. I feel like a fat blob because I would rather do art than exercise. Art Prof... how do you stay slim?

[@artprof]

Tell me about it! The only exercise I get in studio is squats from stretching canvases. 😂 -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@anawieder5003]

I think that you are over simplifying color relationships when it comes to warm and cools, Saying colors are just warm (reds, oranges, yellows, golds and browns) or just cool (blues, purples greens) is misleading. There are cool reds (alizarin crimson) warm reds (cadmium red light) magenta is a warm purple-pink and cad lemon is a cool yellow. When I teach color in painting I always say you need a warm and cool version of each primary. Trying to mix a purple out of the wrong red and blue will only result in a dull grey (which is fine if that's what you want; the point is its important to understand why you get the color you get and are intentional about it)

[@artprof]

That's very true, there are so many variants within each color that need to be considered during the color-mixing process. Thank you so much for tuning in, we hope you liked the video! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff