As you know, I have been taking oil painting classes for a little over a year. You can see some of my creations here, here, and here. Lucky for me, my art teacher is also my neighbor. She stopped in recently to pick up a book, and I showed her the new furniture arrangement that I did in our foyer and asked her advice on art work for the area. We picked a temporary solution, but she decided I could paint a still life for the space.
She looked around at my things and started creating table top arrangements with items she felt would make a good painting. This one wouldn’t work because there is a glare on the plate.
Just by moving slightly, I eliminated the glare. Come along and see the possibilities we came up with.
We even used the floor. There is too much space between the elements here. And let me just say that our floors are stained brown (provincial exactly), and I don’t know why they look yellow in every photo I take of them.
Things were moved slightly.
The floor just wasn’t doing it for us, so we moved back to the marble countertop.
The cloth is too flat here.
We tried lots of angles.
We liked this one.
We liked this one, too.
Then we decided to switch teapots, but I didn’t get it in focus.
We liked the way the one little packet of sugar repeated the green color. She said it didn’t matter that the silver is tarnished.
After just three shots with the green teapot, we moved on.
No. No. No.
We tried another blue teapot. We felt the deep blue color was better than either the green or powder blue.
I love how changing the angle every so slightly makes a big difference.
Now I am behind the teapot.
Okay, after taking over 50 photos, we have narrowed it down to two. This one and …..
…..this one. Which one should I paint? Let me know your favorite. I need some help.
Take care.
Linking to 
and Shabby Creek Cottage
I like the second one more. The teapot seems more simple.
This was such a fun post…I enjoyed seeing the process. My vote is for the second one. I don’t know why for sure though so I’m no help there!
I like the 2nd one better because of the spout of the teapot and the spout of the silver pot facing in the same direction. You can also see everything clearly, with no overlapping! Can’t wait to see the finished product! :O)
I like the second one. I am right handed and can reach in and pour the tea.
I like the traditional teapot better…the lines just seem to work.
Thanks for taking us through your process. It was helpful to me.
I like the last photo – but the tarnished silver is throwing me off – doesn’t seem to coordinate with anything else in the photo – looks like you have tried just about everything. Have you considered trying some more texture – like some greenery or wooden sticks? Good luck!
Like the last one better. The fancy teapot in the first is gorgeous though.. I love how you took us through the process. xo marlis
personally i like the second from the top. i am somewhat distracted by the sugar/creamer packets in the photos containing those. also, I love the warmth of tarnished silver.
I like the second one better. The shape, height and color of the teapot seem to work better with the other items specially the beautiful tarnished silver teapot.
This was fun. I have really been working hard on my photography, and this was a great lesson. I liked the 1st of the last 2 pictures. But, I must say if we had not had so many choices I would have love any of them.
Oh, I would love to be an artist, but some of us are not talented!! Actually, I like the last photo the best. I think the gold on the other cobalt teapot is a little distracting from the rest of the items. I hope that you will show us the painting, when you finish!
I like the second one because the teapot seems to repeat the lines in the background to bring your eye to the composition.
Thank you everyone for your input. I love reading how you came up with your choices.
I like the second one best. I think it’s the deep blue of that teapot that speaks to me. The whole process was really interesting, though. Makes me want to play around a little more with photos and vignettes. Thanks for the inspiration!
Heather from Friendship, Life and Style
Second one!! I might have to commission you for a kitchen painting!!!
I think the second one would make a lovely painting.
The second one. 🙂
I like the second one but with a tea pot, I do look for a tea cup. So, have you tried picture #2 replacing either the center plate OR the fruit with the teacup & saucer?
Can’t wait to see what you do!!!
Hi! Just found your blog from BNOTP Metamorphosis Monday.
I prefer the genie lamp teapot, with the spout facing left (I am RH too), but I like the deep blue of the second. Overall, I looooove the crispness and vitality of the color palette. Would love to see the finished still life.