In this project we will be looking at how artists have used objects in their work. We will look at a variety of work and question the visual information we see. We will look at how artists grouped the objects in a composition and the use of negative spaces.

• The above still life is a detail of a painting by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán, 'Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose', painted in 1633. Look at the composition of the painting; he arranges the lemons against a black background so the fruit stands out.

It is important when assessing any art, craft or design piece, to put it into its context. As well as developing our drawing skills we will research into why artists in Europe started to work in this manner. Why were certain objects chosen, did they have any significance? Do other cultures apart from western, use the genre of still life?

Aims: To develop our observation and drawing skills.