For this exercise I have set up a small still life on a turn table using some of my hand painted collage paper and a remnant of patterned fabric. It’s important to be inspired by what you have set up so it’s worth spending some time playing around but equally not too much as it better when it doesn’t look too contrived. (see above)

My home made viewfinder

The viewfinder I am using is home made. I like to use two right-angled pieces held together with tape so that it can be adjusted to the correct proportions of my paper. For this exercise you can use the viewfinder to draw a series of boxes on to a large sheet or into your sketchbook. Some can be drawn in landscape but also in portrait.

Finding interesting views with the viewfinder

Using the viewfinder make quick sketches, moving the viewfinder round: going in close and pulling out, holding it up above, down below so that you are looking up. Rotate the still life on the turntable as well. See how many different views you can find! The sketches can become quite abstract if you go in close and use an offset view.

I find drawing with a biro or something permanent is best as it stops me from having any temptation to rub out or correct my sketches. These are just thumbnail ideas after all and it’s easier to quickly colour them in too. I have used the same colours across the whole sheet which gives a satisfying sense of unity.

This is a useful way of beginning a still life study. I also use the viewfinder when I am life drawing to help with my composition. By using this method you can achieve a quick series of compositional ideas, many variations on a theme that you can revisit too.

I hope this inspires you to try this method out!