A still life (plural still lifes ) is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural (food, flowers, plants, rocks, or shells) or man-made (drinking glasses, books, vases, jewelry, coins, pipes, and so on) in an artificial setting. With origins in ancient times and most popular in Western art since the 17th century, still life paintings give the artist more leeway in the arrangement of design elements within a composition than do paintings of other types of subjects such as landscape or portraiture. Still life paintings, particularly before 1700, often contained religious and allegorical symbolism relating to the objects depicted. Some modern still life breaks the two-dimensional barrier and employs three-dimensional mixed media, and uses found objects, photography, computer graphics, as well as video and sound. Still life oil painting is the depiction of inanimate subject matter, most typically a small grouping of objects that are either human-made or "natural." Still life oil painting, more so than other types of oil painting, such as landscape or portraiture, gives the photographer more leeway in the arrangement of design elements within a composition. Still life oil painting is a demanding art, one in which the photographers are expected to be able to form their work with a refined sense of lighting, coupled with compositional skills. The still life photographer makes pictures rather than takes them. Knowing where to look for propping and surfaces also is a required skill. In addition to knowing the fundamentals of oil painting, still life photographers have studio-lighting skills and the ability to use large-format view cameras. Still life oil painting is the depiction of inanimate subject matter, most typically a small grouping of objects that are either human-made or "natural." Still life oil painting, more so than other types of oil painting, such as landscape or portraiture, gives the photographer more leeway in the arrangement of design elements within a composition. The photo then be converted by still life oil paintings.Tags:art classes, art work, oil painting on canvas, painting artist,