Visual Arts & Technologies

Year 10 Art - Still Life Fruit Studies 

Article by Oksana Rubacha, Senior School Visual Arts 

Our Year 10 Art students have recently been exploring the classic genre of still life, using fruit as their subject to develop their observation and drawing skills. Still life has been an important part of art history for centuries, allowing artists to study everyday objects while experimenting with composition, light, colour, and texture. 

During this unit, students closely observed real fruit arrangements and translated what they saw onto paper. They focused on building strong foundations in shape, tone, and shading, learning how light and shadow create the illusion of three dimensional form. Through careful observation, students practised capturing the subtle curves, textures, and proportions of objects such as apples, oranges, bananas, and pears. 

Students also explored how artists arrange objects in a composition to create balance and interest. By experimenting with placement, overlapping shapes, and background space, they learned how simple objects can become visually engaging artworks. 

The finished works demonstrate growing confidence in drawing techniques and an understanding of the elements of art, particularly line, form, tone, and colour. Each artwork reflects the student’s individual approach to mark making and interpretation, while still responding to the shared still life subject. 

This study forms part of a broader exploration of art movements and artistic practices throughout the semester. By starting with still life, students build essential observational skills that support more complex artworks later in the subject. 

We look forward to seeing how these developing artists continue to apply these skills as they explore new styles, ideas, and creative challenges in the months ahead.