5 New Still Life Painting Books Reshaping 2025 Artistry

While working as an accomplished oil and acrylic painter, Sari Shryack noticed how many aspiring artists struggle to approach still life painting without feeling overwhelmed. This book breaks down painting into inviting lessons that teach you everything from basic color mixing and brush techniques to composing your own still lifes with everyday objects. You’ll explore how to use both acrylic and oil paints, with projects ranging from classic fruit bowls to vibrant disco balls that showcase Sari’s playful style. If you want to develop confidence and creativity painting fresh, bold still lifes without fancy supplies, this book offers a welcoming path forward.

Unlike most still life painting books that jump straight into advanced techniques, Jennifer Margrave-Garcia’s guide starts with the essentials, making acrylic painting approachable for beginners. Drawing from her background in art education and psychology, she carefully explains materials, color mixing, brushwork, and layering, supported by detailed tutorials like painting lemons and tropical plants. You get practical lessons on selecting reference photos and developing your style, with the option to trace sketches if freehand drawing isn’t your forte. This book suits anyone new to acrylics eager to build foundational skills and create artwork worth displaying or gifting.

This tailored exploration of still life painting for 2025 dives into the freshest techniques and emerging styles shaping the genre today. It examines recent developments and innovations, integrating them with foundational artistic principles to create a vibrant learning journey. By focusing on your interests and background, this personalized guide reveals how contemporary artists push boundaries with new materials, compositions, and lighting effects. You’ll discover how these latest trends can enrich your practice, challenging traditional approaches while deepening your creative expression. This book offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge insights that match your pace and goals, making the evolving world of still life painting accessible and inspiring.

What started as a teaching challenge became Jennifer Funnell's approachable guide to acrylic painting for beginners. Drawing on her decade of experience as a visual arts teacher, she breaks down the process into manageable steps, offering 15 small still life projects with traceable outlines that require no prior drawing skills. You learn not only how to handle acrylics but also how to build confidence through simple compositions and flexible techniques that allow easy corrections. This book suits anyone curious about acrylics who wants to develop foundational skills without feeling overwhelmed, especially those drawn to still life subjects.

Kelli Folsom, an academically trained artist with a B.F.A. from Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, brings her passion for painting from life to this hands-on guide. In 30 Ways to Master Still Life Painting, she breaks down complex elements like composition, light, and brushwork into approachable chapters, such as "Composition" and "Light and Atmosphere." You'll gain concrete skills in handling brushes, mixing colors, and creating depth and texture, all grounded in traditional techniques yet presented with clarity for today’s artists. This book suits painters eager to deepen their craft through practical exercises and vivid examples, though those seeking purely conceptual theory might find it more focused on technique.

After analyzing numerous still life artworks, Hossein Rishehri developed a focused exploration of how color and composition interplay to bring vibrancy and structure to this traditional genre. You’ll gain insight into balancing warm and cool tones, mastering form, and arranging elements to create dynamic yet harmonious scenes. For anyone aiming to deepen their technical grasp of still life painting fundamentals, this compact guide offers clear examples across its chapters, such as the use of light to enhance mood. It’s a solid pick if you want to refine your eye for color relationships and compositional design without wading through overly theoretical discussions.

This tailored book explores the evolving methods and practices shaping still life painting in 2025 and beyond. It delves into emerging trends, new discoveries, and innovative techniques that reflect the latest artistic advances, all curated to match your specific interests and background. By focusing on your unique goals, it reveals how contemporary artists experiment with form, light, and composition in fresh ways, helping you stay ahead in this dynamic field. The personalized approach invites you to engage deeply with the subject, uncovering insights that resonate with your experience and aspirations to enhance your creative journey.