Drishti A.

While choosing a objects for still life it's important to keep rules of composition and balance in mind. Avoid choosing same size many objects, choose different size from small to big, light to dark in colour contrast, and if you want, you can use objects make of different materials like wood, steel, glass, etc. all in one, this will create an interesting composition, just remember to keep the rules of principle of art in mind. You can also take vegetables, fruits along with other man made objects. Lighting is an essential part in drawing, be it live or in reference picture.

Contrast is important in order to avoid unnecessary flatness in your paintings. It helps to pop out different planes in painting thus conveying the message clearly. It depends upon the artist how much intensity he/she wants to put in color. Intensity will directly affect your painting as it will also increase the contrast. To create a sense of peace and a focal point in your paintings contract is really important as it clarifies what is happening in the painting. Good contrast is a powerful without which painting or drawing both will look plane, flat and unattractive. 

There are different ways in which you can draw fur or hairs in pencil. If using pencil or Watercolor start from the light tone first progressively moving towards darker shades. And if using Acrylic or Oil it's better to do visa  versa.  Draw or paint one stroke at a time without any hurry in the direction in which the hair or fur is flowing. Also paint only one small part at a time,when done with one part move onto another, it will take time to pop out. Remember, that fur or hairs are never a straight stroke, they are always drawn thick at the scalp to thin at the end. Start from one point and when ending that stoke of hair start lifting  up your brush or pencil gently. This will create a thiner line at the end. For accuracy in color premix the paint on pallette and match it with reference before using it on painting.